Join us Wednesday, June 8, for a special Marine Mammal Day and explore the some of the coolest critters in the sea! Though they are actually warm-blooded creatures, right whales, beluga whales and even polar bears have fascinating behaviors when it comes to feeding, echolocation, identification, adaptations and more.

Special guest experts will host chats during Marine Mammal Day all about these intriguing species, including Steve Gerkin, Visitor Educator and Public Programs Coordinator for the North Carolina Zoo, who will present Adventures on the Ice: A visit with the Polar Bears at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Steve says:

I am Steve, a Visitor Educator at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. I develop and present programs to Zoo guests and groups that cover topics such as... Keep reading.

Can you imagine a robot that has the dexterity and precision not only to fold tiny paper airplanes and play the board game Operation, but to also perform complex surgical procedures? Surgery with the da Vinci robot provides patients in gynecology, urology, cardiothoracic and general surgeries with the the potential to heal with significantly less pain; a shorter hospital stay; a quicker return to normal daily activities and the opportunity for better clinical outcomes.

Discovery Place and Midtown OB/GYN will offer a hands-on opportunity to learn about the da Vinci robot, one of the most technologically advanced surgical tools. On May 28 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., the robot will be in Explore More Life at Discovery Place, the Museum’s one-of-a-kind lab where visitors can... Keep reading.

Discovery Place’s newest Science Buzz station offers visitors an opportunity to further explore the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan; the country’s worst natural disaster in 140 years. The station allows you to study the science behind the quake and the threatening debris left behind in its wake.

You can even explore the earthquake Science Buzz station from home by clicking here http://www.sciencebuzz.org/blog/bursts/earthquake-tsunami-devastate-japan to find out more and leave your comments.

Mitchell Joachim is what you might call an innovative architect. A master in the ancient art of pleaching – that is, guiding the way trees grow to create a hedge, or in this case a house! - Joachim’s ideas challenge the way we look at today’s buildings. Combining architecture, biology and ancient pruning practices Joachim creates specific shapes using trees (check out the pics screen right) that bring life to modern dwellings.

Once the initial structure is completed, one can design and create the interior of a house within this arboreal framing. Innovative building techniques such as this limit the negative impact building has on the environment and helps sustain the ecosystem by blending with nature. Plus, Joachim’s creations are pretty cool... Keep reading.

Recently, a sporty, spunky trio of kids had the opportunity to experience the all-new Discovery Place for the first time on special assignment as "Rookie Reporters" for FOX News Charlotte

Abby, Sam and Bobbie Ann found science and technology at their fingertips as they took on an exciting mission to find out just what is so cool about physics, innovation, biodiversity and much, much more.

Click the links below to watch our three reporters in action as they learn, play and meet a whole realm of Discovery Place inhabitants. And, don’t forget to check back with our blog, because our Rookie Reporters will be making return visits. We'll make sure you’re in the know about all the cool stuff happening at Discovery Place.

Click on the links below:
Rookie Reporters –... Keep reading.