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SCI Blog

At the Science Center of Iowa, our goal is to be a quality community resource for informal science learning where children, families, school groups and individuals of all ages come to explore science and technology.

To continue the learning outside our building, we bring you the SCI blog! Our knowledgeable staff, along with special guests and local scientists, will give you a behind-the-scenes look at SCI activities, in-depth information about science events and STEM connections in the Des Moines area.

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  • Yoga Under the Stars Instructors

    Yoga Under the Stars Instructors

    We are excited to welcome these amazing yoga instructors for 2019-2020 season of Yoga Under the Stars. All of our instructors are licensed and experienced, but each instructor brings their own unique style and blend of practices to the sessions they teach.

    Teri Lynn Reese

    Teri's multi-level classes combine her Kripalu-style training with a vinyasa flow practice. Learn more about Teri here.

    Bethany Grabe

    Bethany's classes bring together asana, pranayama, mudra and mindfulness. Learn more about Bethany here.

    Rachel Lippincott

    Rachel incorporates breath and meditation, along with asana practice, to create a gentle and mindful class. Learn more about Rachel here.

    Jolene Debruijn

    Jolene offers a Hatha Yoga Flow class with a playful mix of Slow Flow Vinyasa and 'traditional' yoga. Learn more about Jolene here.

    Linsey Birusingh

    Lindsey's classes will challenge you to tap into your potential and push yourself to your limits – without punishing yourself! Learn more about Lindsey here.

    Meredith Causton

    Meredith teaches hatha flow, yin yoga and meditation, combining the three practices into a class that will leave you feeling balanced, realigned and equanimous. Learn more about Meredith here.

    Hortencia Gonzalez

    Hortencia teaches Vinyasa style classes, and her unique sequences will allow you to feel like you are in a moving meditation. Learn more about Hortencia here.

  • Mental Health Matters

    Mental Health Matters

    One in five adults (600,000 Iowans) live with mental illness. Whether it’s a friend, family member, coworker, classmate – or yourself – mental illness affects us all.

    Yet, the stigma around it persists.

    At SCI, we bring learning to life, helping hundreds of thousands of Iowans better understand the world around them. Mental health is a critical topic, and through science, we can understand it better. When we approach mental health, we have the opportunity to talk about multidisciplinary fields of science, like psychology, physiology, chemistry and more.

    With support from HealthPartners UnityPoint Health and numerous other community sponsors and partners, we are continuing the conversation with Mental Health: Mind Matters. This groundbreaking exhibit gives our community the chance not only to talk about mental illness, but also to understand what 600,000 Iowans live with every day. It helps all of us empathize with one another and better understand what mental illness is.

    We encourage you to experience Mind Matters for yourself. Listen to audio recordings that simulate the experience of schizophrenia. Learn about people who battle mental health every day, overcoming stigma and limitations. Discover techniques to express your emotions and strengthen your own mental health. Build emotional resilience and physically shred your worries and fears.

    Mental Health: Mind Matters is at SCI through April 28, and it is included with admission. In addition, numerous community conversations are planned to shine a light on the spectrum of mental health – from early childhood to aging populations.

    Mental health matters to us as a cultural institution in Des Moines, as individuals within Iowa, and it matters to us, personally, as human beings. We’re working to break down the stigma and #MakeItOK. Please join us.