The Cornell Center for Materials Research is offering several outreach programs for children, ages 5 to 8, during the 1998-99 school year. There is no charge for the events, but parents are asked to participate in the workshops with their children.

Since 1960, the CCMR has promoted collaborative, interdisciplinary research. The center also is dedicated to increasing the number of outreach programs that increase students' exposure to science and technology.

One of the programs scheduled for this school year is "Families Learning Science Together." The goals of the program are to expose children to science at an early age and raise the importance of science within the family. Two of the events, which are offered twice, are:

• Sept. 26 and Dec. 5: Students will learn about the science of magnets by participating in hands-on activities led by Jeevak Parpia, professor of physics. The event will be held in room 701 Clark Hall at Cornell from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
• Nov. 14 and Feb. 20: Students will use Grow Creatures (a children's toy) to learn about polymers, led by Chris Ober, associate professor of materials science and engineering. The event will be at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, 318 N. Albany St., from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Families may enroll in one or both of these events by calling Sue Wirsig at (607) 255-1486.