BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO | Drew Diperi, 5, of Center Moriches watches as a golf ball travels down the gravity ramp at the Long Island Science Center in Riverhead on Saturday..

Family Science Saturdays are a recent offering at the not-for profit Long Island Science Center, which previously opened only on Sundays and during school breaks.

The theme for this first Saturday program was transportation: visitors could build bumper cars, race balloon cars, build skimmer sailing hulls and airplanes out of paper, paper clips, straws and tape. These vehicles teach Newton’s laws of  motion.

The center has been around for over 10 years, first  in Shoreham on the first floor of the high school and now at 11 West Main Street in downtown Riverhead.

According to the center’s website at www.lisciencecenter.org, its goal is to encourage “enthusiasm and excitement for learning” and stimulate “discovery and creativity.”

Interactive exhibits and demonstrations, in-house and at schools, libraries and community centers, are intended to enhance the discovery process for visitors regardless of age or background.

According to center educator Judy Isbitiren, the center has five more educators like her teaching from pre-school to high school levels at the center and off site at schools across Long Island and New York, from Shelter Island to Staten Island.

After this Saturday, the center also will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays,  January 21, 28, February 4, 11 and for winter break when schools are closed. It will be open on Sundays for private parties and boy and for girl scout groups to earn badges.

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Science Center Saturday

A dinosaur model at the Long Island Science Center in Riverhead.

Science Center Saturday

Phil DeFelice of Oceanside with his grandson, Anthony Russo, 5, of Ronkonkoma, try out the Bernoullii air pressure machine.

Science Center Saturday

Kieran Daniels, 5, of Sayville bouncing bubbles at the bubble machine station.

Science Center Saturday

Bill Daniels and his son Kieran racing balloon cars that run on air.

Science Center Saturday

Banner at the Science Center.

Science Center Saturday

Anthony Russo works on a car puzzle with his grandfather Phil DeFelice.

Science Center Saturday

Bill Daniels of Sayville works with his son Kieran, 5, building a skimmer hull sailboat out of paper, straw, paper clips and tape.

Science Center Saturday

Phil DeFelice blows up a balloon so his grandson Anthony Russo, 5, can try the air-powered balloon car.

Science Center Saturday

Educator Judy Isbitiren helps Kieran Daniels as he tests his skimmer hull sailboat. He designed the sail like a spinnaker and decorated it with a Canadian maple leaf because he likes ice hockey.

Science Center Saturday

Julie Diperi, 3, of Center Moriches tries the Shoot the moon game.

Science Center Saturday

Drew Diperi, 5, of Center Moriches tests the bubble machine by making a giant bubble over his head.

Science Center Saturday

Drew Diperi tests the bubble machine by making a giant bubble over his head.

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