Some of the world’s most promising examples...

Some of the world’s most promising examples of sustainable technology in agriculture, energy and manufacturing are examined in a hands-on environmental exhibit at the California Museum of Science and Industry in Exposition Park.

“Balancing Acts: Providing for Today, Preserving Tomorrow,� takes visitors on a tour of five countries to see the science behind Earth-friendly technologies used worldwide.

Utilizing multimedia and hands-on science activities, visitors can see a Balinese rice terrace and witness the impact a single light bulb has on a person’s life in Guatemala.

The exhibit runs through Dec. 31. (213) 744-7400.

ASTRONOMY

The coming rendezvous of the Galileo spacecraft with Jupiter will be the featured astronomy program at Santa Monica College on Sept. 8, 15 and 22 at 8 p.m. in the Science Village, Room 1, following the Night Sky Show at 7. (310) 452-9396.

The Los Angeles Astronomical Society will have a public star party on Sept. 16 at Griffith Observatory. (213) 727-7909.

ORNITHOLOGY

The fall banding of up to 6,000 Asian shorebirds in northwest Australia will be discussed at the monthly meeting of the Los Angeles Audubon Society, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. at Plummer Park in West Hollywood. (213) 876-0202.

SCIENCE FOR FAMILIES

Families with young children can look for animal homes and observe insects in a walk led by docents from the William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom in Upper Franklin Canyon on Sept. 17 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Reservations are required. (310) 858-3090.

The Children’s Museum at La Habra will offer “Funtrition,� a health-related workshop for children, on Sept. 23 at noon. (310) 905-9793.

Children ages 3 to 5 can explore the ocean with their favorite adult in “Tales Between the Tides� on Sept. 6 and 8 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro. (310) 548-7563.

“Spiders at Madrona Marsh Preserve,� will be the topic of the last in the Marsh’s Second Sunday Summer Science Series on Sept. 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. (310) 32MARSH or (310) 782-3989.

MARINE SCIENCE

A deep water plankton trawl, tide pool walk and workshop on the salt marsh habitat will also be offered by the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. The plankton research excursion will be held Sept. 23 from 5 to 10 p.m. Reservations are required. Aquarium staff will lead the tide pool walk on Sept. 23 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. On Sept. 16, from 9 to 11 a.m., aquarium staff will lead a workshop on the salt marsh environment. (310) 548-7562.

HEALTH/MEDICINE

James L. McGaugh, director of the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory at UC Irvine, will discuss “Making and Preserving Memories,� at the Discovery Science Center’s Launch Pad in the South Coast Plaza on Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. Reservations are recommended. (714) 546-2061.

BOTANY

Conifer specialist Bob Haller will lead an outing sponsored by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. It will traverse the Coast Range through Yosemite National Park to the White Mountains to learn about pine species Sept. 21 to 24. A pre-trip meeting will be Sept. 13 at the garden. Advance registration required. (805) 682-4726, Ext. 102.

An introductory one-day class for teens and adults in the varied uses of local plants will be given by Earth Skills staff on Sept. 9. An advanced workshop will be held Sept. 16 and 17 at the Indian Springs Ranch near Wrightwood. Reservations are required. (805) 245-0318.