Hands-on science program targets Summerlin's youngsters

Bunsen burners, rocket launches and tiny scientists are not typical sights found in America's best selling master-planned community, but they can be seen every Tuesday and Thursday in the `laboratory' at The Gardens Community Center in Summerlin.

The science-based enrichment activities were arranged for by The Summerlin Council, the nonprofit arm of the Summerlin Community Association.

"Education is a top priority in any family-oriented community, but especially here in Summerlin," said Dan Van Epp, president of The Howard Hughes Corp., developer of Summerlin. "We strive to offer an abundance of extracurricular learning programs and activities that enrich our residents' lives."

The activities are geared toward youngsters age 5 to 12 years. They are headed by representatives of Mad Science, an educational franchise. The cost is $45 per session plus a $55 material fee.

Two classes are currently available, and have attracted about 30 children, according to Robyn Rosen, a local franchise co-owner and Summerlin resident.

"It was important to locate in a thriving, family-oriented community, and Summerlin has been an ideal location. We started classes in December and the response has been fantastic," Rosen said.

Resident Dina Adams is delighted about the program.

"(It) offers an in-depth, hands-on study of science, which is important at the primary age," Adams said. "I have two children participating in the program and they are always excited to come."

Parents are not the only fans of the sessions.

"I like to come to class and make rockets," 7-year-old Jesse Greer said.

"It's neat to learn about space," Payton Arnold, 6, said.

Single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums in Summerlin are priced from the mid-$100,000s to more than $700,000. Custom-home sites from one-half acre to three-quarters of an acre in The Ridges are priced from the high $400,000s to more than $1 million, and predesigned custom homes are priced from $1.7 million.

Apartments offer monthly rents starting from the high $700s.

About 165 model homes are open in the community, which also features eight golf courses, 105 neighborhood and village parks, more than 100 miles of trails, 18 schools, houses of worship, shopping centers, medical facilities, cultural facilities and business parks.

To visit the home finding center, travel west on Sahara Avenue past Hualapai Way to Town Center Drive and turn north. Or, take Interstate 215 to Sahara, head east to Town Center and turn north.

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