Science Fair Fosters Fun, Self-Esteem

FULLERTON —  With displays ranging from rocks to rockets and reptiles to radios, the Science Hobby Fair last Saturday at Ladera Vista Junior High featured science-oriented clubs and organizations that promoted their products, recruited new members or simply helped educate the public.

The daylong fair was sponsored by the Youth Science Center, which is “devoted to making science fun,” according to its president, Walter Clark.

“Hobbies are a way of getting a child totally committed in an activity he can share,” said Clark, who added that the intent of the center is to foster self-esteem for children.

On Saturday, snake owner Christina Rasmussen worked at the reptile exhibit with Pek Choo, a pet shop owner from La Habra.

“Reptiles make good pets,” said Rasmussen, 20, as she cradled her red-tailed Columbian Boa. “They’re noiseless, odorless and only need to be fed every couple of weeks.”

“And they never cause allergies,” added Choo, a member of a Long Beach snake club, who said he hoped their exhibit--which included a variety of snakes and two green iguanas--would “expose the general public to reptiles.”

Another animal exhibit focused entirely on opossums.

Zoologist Miriam Handel of Anaheim, who has studied the creatures since 1974, emphasized that opossums are wild and no attempt should be made to domesticate them. She offered a hot line--(714) 774-4255--for those with questions about the care and handling of opossums or any other wild animals they may come in contact with.

“I once had a call from this man whose daughter was cornered by an aggressive opossum,” Handel said, explaining that the man and his 4-year-old child were cleaning out their garage when the youngster overturned a box where the animal had been living. “I had to talk him through the crisis situation.”

Handel’s exhibit, which she takes to schools for lectures and demonstrations, included two live opossums--one healthy, the other domesticated and mistreated--as well as several preserved opossums and bone structures of the marsupial.

The Fullerton Radio Club was also on hand, trying to interest the younger generation in ham radio operation.

According to club member Gary Halloubeck, participation of young people is dwindling because of technological advancements in communications.

“Kids are not interested in doing this anymore because of TVs, satellites and computers,” Halloubeck said.

The club’s exhibit included a small-scale hunt for a hidden radio transistor using the same equipment the club uses on its Saturday night searches. These searches--called “an adult game of hide and seek” by Halloubeck--take club members throughout the Southland in their cars in search of the missing transistor, which sends out radio signals.

The North Orange County Gem and Mineral Society in La Habra attempted to attract a following by raffling off rocks.

For 25 cents, participants could roll a die and then select a stone from a bin labeled with the corresponding number. The exhibitors would then polish it.

The L.A. Rocket Society, which despite its name is located in Fullerton, presented two rocket-launching shows during the day. Five different rockets, each built by club members, were launched as Martin Bowitz, club president, provided information about each model.

“One of the club’s main concerns is to stop people from launching illegally,” club member Bonnie Kruchoff said.

The society’s next rocket launching will be held Sunday at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Orange County Radio Controlled Helicopter Assn. of Anaheim boasts club members ranging in age from 11 to 80, and encourages new members--especially girls and women. “We’re an equal-opportunity hobby,” club member Roy Lavery said.

The association recently held its annual Fun Fly, a contest and raffle to benefit the Orangewood Childrens Foundation, at the Whittier Narrows Model Airport in Whittier.

Kirk Fyvie, a senior at Trabuco Hills High School, said the helicopter-flying demonstration was Saturday’s highlight.

“I came for the hobby part more than the science aspect,” said Fyvie, who traveled from Mission Viejo with his family to attend the fair.

A chemistry show, which was presented by chemist Rudy Gonzales from the Unocal plant in Brea, was a big hit with the younger crowd, but a magic show hit home with all ages.

“What I do is present my show as if I’m a scientist breaking the laws of nature,” said Bryan Stoops, a 12-year-old magician from Walnut.

Stoops’ tricks included a variety of card illusions, making sponge rabbits multiply in a child’s hand and the “balloon trick,” which involved pricking a balloon several times with a long needle without popping it.

The Youth Science Center, founded 27 years ago, is on the Ladera Vista campus and is open free to the public on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information about the center, call (714) 526-1690.