英语博客：Analysis Time - Science For The Young

　　Science education has taken new life(1) with the opening, six months ago, of the Mobius Science Center in Spokane, Washington. A $14 million fund put the new Science Center into operation. It is operating along with(2) the Mobius Children's Museum which has been open for seven years. The museum, aimed at children up to 8 years old(3), has been a very successful part of downtown Spokane. The demands for better-informed(4) and trained people in science have led to support for both centers. The Mobius Science Center has 26,000 square feet of exhibition space. There are 65 hands-on(5), interactive¹ science and technology exhibits, plus educational programs. Here, young people can experience the worlds of Robotics, Flight, Space, Optics, Earth Science, Math and many more. It's a lively place that curious minds of all ages(6) will love.

　　1. 'Science education has taken new life....' this is an unusual sentence, though we can understand the meaning. Another phrase that talks about new life is the following: 'New life has been breathed into...(science, business, the district, education etc). We talk of new life being 'breathed into' something.

　　a. The project has breathed new life into the city.

　　b. The updated curriculum² has breathed new life into my class.

　　2. 'Along with..' is like saying 'as well as' or 'side by side'. The meaning here is that the Children's Museum and the Science Center are two parts of the same project.

　　a. The water park, along with the golf course, are open to the public 6 days a week.

　　b. School children, along with other people from the neighborhood, planted trees in the park.

　　3. 'Up to 8 years old' here 'up to' is showing the limit, or maximum age of those served in the museum.

　　We also use 'over' to show the minimum and above.

　　a. This film is for eighteen year olds and over.

　　b. The class is for children up to the age of 12.

　　4. 'Better' can be attached to many adjectives with a hyphon.

　　a. We need better-equipped police on the streets.

　　b. We need better-educated teachers in the schools.

　　c. I wish the teenagers were better-behaved.

　　5. 'Hands-on' is a very popular expression. It means that a person can physically³ touch, play with, and experiment with something.

　　a.  It will be a hands-on experience for the kids.

　　b.  It will be a hands-on job, action, not just talk.

　　6. '....of all ages' is also a common expression when mentioning people of many ages who have a certain hobby or preference.

　　a. Sweet lovers of all ages will adore⁴ this new chocolate shop.

　　b. Children of all ages will appreciate this book.

　　c. Dance fanatics⁵ of all ages can use this new dance video.

　　Thanks for joining me. Send your questions and comments to [email protected] Also, you are invited to join my FACEBOOK page called Anna Fromacupofenglish.

1 interactive   

adj.相互作用的，互相影响的，（电脑）交互的

参考例句：

• The psychotherapy is carried out in small interactive groups.这种心理治疗是在互动的小组之间进行的。
• This will make videogames more interactive than ever.这将使电子游戏的互动性更胜以往。

2 curriculum   

n.课程，（学校等的）全部课程

参考例句：

• Is German on your school's curriculum?你们学校有德语课吗？
• The English curriculum should stress both composition and reading.英语课程对作文和阅读应同样重视。

3 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

4 adore   

vt.崇拜，敬慕，爱慕，非常喜欢

参考例句：

• People adore him for his noble character.人们因他的高贵品质而敬爱他。
• I would adore to settle back homeland.我非常喜欢回家乡定居。

5 fanatics   

狂热者，入迷者( fanatic的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The heathen temple was torn down by a crowd of religions fanatics. 异教徒的神殿被一群宗教狂热分子拆除了。
• Placing nukes in the hands of baby-faced fanatics? 把核弹交给一些宗教狂热者手里？