SAT 2/7
For more than 35 years, the Lawrence Hall of Science (Centennial Drive, near Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Berkeley), a popular destination for school field trips and family outings, has set out to prove to all ages that math and science are indeed cool. Aside from classes, workshops, and computer labs, the LHS hosts teen symposia, adult excursions, and free Saturday night stargazing. PROVE IT! A ChemMystery — the newest exhibit opening Saturday — mixes classic criminal investigation with modern forensic science in a series of interactive activities. After examining the crime scene and reviewing the suspicious area, the game is afoot. Young sleuths will investigate the mystery of the missing boat, while older investigators probe a more complex case, which may or may not hold special significance as tax time draws nearer: “The Missing Money Mystery.” According to an LHS press release, the exhibit sounds reasonably similar to the crime lab on TV’s CSI: “Visitors use chromatography to analyze inks; match DNA and fingerprint samples; analyze liquids, powders, and crystals; conduct smell tests; perform handwriting analysis; and much more.” The good news is your child will gain a greater appreciation for science. The bad news is the next time you accuse your kid of stealing from the cookie jar, he may reply, “Prove it!” Open daily from 10-5. $8.50 for adults; $6.50 for students, seniors and disabled. 510-642-5132. — Joy White
SUN 2/8
Sprockets
Full pedal jacket
What’s more fun than riding your bike? Watching movies of other kids — and grownups — riding their bikes, of course. That’s what the Bike Film Fest is all about. Sunday afternoon and evening (4 to 9 p.m.), hang out with other pedalers at La Peña Cultural Center for the eighth annual fest, featuring a full schedule of feature-length films and videos, shorts, and a special Bikollage, all devoted to human-powered two-wheel vehicles. It’s a fund-raiser for Bicycle-Friendly Berkeley Coalition (BFBC), and there’ll be music and a silent auction in addition to the movies. Admission is $10-$20 sliding scale, and — wait for it — there’s even free valet bike parking. La Peña is at 3105 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley. To learn more about the event and BFBC, visit BFBC.org — Kelly Vance
