~ for immediate release

news release October 3, 2006

Contact: Heather Emmons, DRI PIO, heather.emmons@dri.edu, Reno (775) 673-7313 (w), (702) 743-3435 (c)

All DRI News Releases are available at: http://news.dri.edu/

DRI Opens its Doors to Public for First-Ever Open House

DRI's Dr. Lynn Fenstermaker (l) and UNLV's Eric Knight will show visitors how a radio- controlled helicopter helps with research.	Dr. Dave DuBois and students use a large blimp to help assess Las Vegas' air quality issues.	Is there life on Mars? Dr. Henry Sun, seen here in Antarctica, searches for life in extreme environments.

LAS VEGAS , Nev. – For the first time ever, DRI is opening its doors to the public for an open house--called DRI Day--Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.  Visitors can take a self-guided tour to see, feel and experience how DRI’s cutting-edge science is improving how people all over the world live and breathe.  All ages can take part in demonstrations with DRI scientists, who will show and tell about their research.  From seeing how a special radio-controlled helicopter can be the “eyes” in the air for scientific research, to digging deep to uncover great archaeological finds, to looking for life on Mars, young and old alike can participate in demonstrations to learn how DRI scientists use innovative research and technology to better understand the world's environmental issues. 

Youngsters will get a "passport book" to take around to all the demonstrations to have it stamped by scientists.  In addition, there will be plenty for children to do, including making edible aquifers to learn about how groundwater works, making rain gauges and trying out virtual reality research. 

The Atomic Testing Museum, housed at DRI and operated by the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation, also will be open with a nominal admission fee.

DRI is located at 755 East Flamingo Road in Las Vegas.  To get to DRI, travel south on I-15 and exit on Flamingo East.  Travel on Flamingo east through Paradise Road, and DRI is located on the right-hand side of the road, past Terrible's Hotel and Casino.  For more information about the open house and a map, visit www.dri.edu. 

ABOUT DRI: A nonprofit, statewide division of the Nevada System of Higher Education, or NSHE, DRI pursues a full-time program of basic and applied environmental research on a local, national, and international scale.  More than 500 full- and part-time scientists, technicians, and support staff conduct more than 300 research projects at DRI annually.  DRI generates $50 million in total revenue consisting predominately of competitively won research contracts and grants. The State of Nevada provides critical funding in support of DRI's administration, operations, and maintenance through the NSHE education budget.  While DRI’s portion of the NSHE budget is approximately one percent, the institute leverages these funds to enhance its competitiveness