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Community Science Projects Discovery is working with Beardsley Zoo to create a pollinator garden, here on our grounds. What is Pollination? Pollination is when the pollen grains produced by one plant makes its way to the stigma of another plant of the same species. In order for pollination to occur, something must move the pollen from one plant to another. These factors can include wind, water, birds, insects, butterflies, bats, and other animals that visit flowers. We call animals or insects that transfer pollen from plant to plant “pollinators”. Insects and other animal pollinators obtain food in the form of energy-rich nectar and/or protein-rich pollen, from the flowers they visit and in return, the flowers receive the services of pollinators carrying pollen from one flower to another. Why is it important? Three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about 35 percent of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce. That’s one out of every three bites of food you eat. You may have heard that bees are disappearing, and bats are dying. These and other pollinators face many challenges in the modern world. Habitat loss is one of the contributing reasons for the decline of many species of pollinators. Animals that can’t find the right quantity or quality of food (nectar and pollen from blooming plants within flight range) don’t survive. Right now, there simply aren’t enough pollinator friendly plantings to support our pollinators. How are we helping? By planting a garden focused on native plant species, we can help to combat habitat loss for our native pollinators. The Beardsley Zoo has kindly provided us with the plants, and in return, we have blocked off some of our land to become a pollinator-friendly garden, with the hope of supporting local ecosystem. Discovery would like to thank the Beardsley Zoo for their support in this conservation effort. Look for these flowers in our garden! Common Name: Black-eyed Susan Scientific Name: Rudbeckia hirta L. Common Name : American Marigold Scientific Name : Tagetes erecta Common Name: Blue Wood Aster Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum cordifolium, formerly: Aster cordifolius Common Name: Common Milkweed Scientific Name: Asclepias syriaca Common Name: Lochinch Butterfly Bush Scientific Name: Buddleja davidii Common Name: Purple Coneflower Scientific Name: Echinacea purpurea Common Name: Common Zinnia Scientific Name: Zinnia elegans

< Artist Selection Full STEAM Ahead Meet the Artist Alicia Cobb Portfolio Dare To Dream Debuted Summer 2024 Artist Bio Alicia Cobb is an award-winning visual artist, body painter, teaching artist, and muralist from Bridgeport, Connecticut. With her unique artistic vision Alicia has carved a prominent place for herself in her creative community. Drawing inspiration from humanity, Alicia's artwork captures the vulnerabilities of the human experience. This is exemplified through her body art, where she employs the human canvas as a powerful medium for storytelling and self-expression. By transforming the body into a living work of art, Alicia challenges societal norms and encourages viewers to embrace their own unique beauty. Alicia's artistic journey began at a young age but was not nurtured fully until well into her adult life. As a self-taught artist, she honed her skills in figurative work and experimented with many styles including realism, abstract painting and impressionism. Her artworks provoke deep emotions and encourage introspection, inviting viewers to contemplate identity, political climate and concepts such as healing and transformation. As a dedicated teaching artist, Alicia shares her knowledge and passion for art with aspiring creators. Through her workshops and residencies, she empowers individuals to find their artistic voice, encourages self-discovery, and fosters a sense of community among students. Alicia's students not only learn technical skills but also discover the transformative power of art as a medium of social change. She is certified in therapeutic arts and currently works out of her studio space in Bridgeport where she facilitates private lessons and commissions. She enjoys giving back and participates in community events and organizations frequently. As a muralist, her murals do not only beautify communities of Bridgeport and beyond, but also convey powerful messages of unity, empowerment, and hope. Inspired by the diverse cultures and histories of her surroundings, she breathes life into images relevant to the spaces they’re created in. Alicia was awarded Artist of the Year in June of 2022 from the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County. She is also among highlighted artists in New York City Body Painting Day and The Flesh Art Show in New Orleans. She placed top ten in the 2016, North American Body Paint Championships in Greensboro, NC. which was the only sanctioned body art competition in the United States at that time. She has been a featured, participating artist in public art exhibits throughout Fairfield County since 2015. Her art has also been featured in several published magazines. As Alicia continues to leave her indelible mark on the art scene, her commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and encouraging meaningful dialogue remains unwavering. Through her immersive art experiences, she inspires individuals to embrace their authenticity, celebrate their stories, and foster connections as she continues to advocate for the transformative power of art.

Thank you for joining us! Your Investment Helps Us Take STEAM to New Heights! When you give to Discovery, you bring STEAM activities to more young people here at the Science Center, inspiring wonder, igniting creativity, and building the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Your Gift Supports: $25 – Box of screws for exhibit assembly $50 – Extension cables $100 – Can of paint for gallery refreshment $250 – Printed signage (medium) $500 – Spotlight fixture $1,000 – Consumable materials for 6 months $2,500 – Exhibit-grade projector Make your gift Help us make a difference First name Last name Email Phone Street Address Street Address Line 2 City Region/State/Province Postal / Zip code Country Country Make your gift in the name of: Enter the amount you wish to pay: $ Make your gift Thank you for your support!

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