IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers HARP ON DISPLAY--An electronic harp is exhibited at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. It can be seen on the second floor. The Discovery Center for Science and Technology has long been searching for a permanent facility. The nonprofit organization legally known as the Ventura County Discovery Center has received many contributions over the years, including a recent $500,000 grant from telecommunications giant Verizon.

Being without a brick and mortar building hasn't stopped the center from pursuing its main focus--promoting a greater understanding of science and technology while inspiring people of all ages to expand their thinking and creative powers.

An example of what the group does can be seen at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 Janss Road, Thousand Oaks during "The Notion of Motion" presentation at 3:30 p.m. Sun., March 25. Attendees over 65 can learn about force, inertia and Newton's Laws of Motion for free. The cost is $6 for everyone else.

Since it's been scientifically proven that only so many people can fit in the space at the senior center, reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (805) 495-6471.

Science demonstrations such as "The Notion of Motion" have taken place over the past 10 years through the Discovery Center's Museum Without Walls community outreach program, said Carrie Glicksteen, founding and current board member.

"We are out somewhere almost every school day," Glicksteen said.

The group puts on family science nights at schools as well as programs at the Civic Arts Plaza, Conejo Recreation and Park venues, and other sites.

The Discovery Center is run by volunteers who include teachers, scientists, engineers, business people and museum experts, Glicksteen said. Together they've served more than 120,000 children.

Still the group hopes to someday have a worldclass, interactive science and technology museum in Thousand Oaks that will serve Ventura, Santa Barbara and West Los Angeles counties. According to their website at www.discoverycntr.org, "When completed, the 70,000-square-foot facility will include exciting interactive exhibits, lively demonstrations, workshops, major touring exhibitions, a training center for educators, and a science park."

On the website dated last Mon., Feb. 19 was the statement: "Our Board of Directors is leading the effort to raise $25 million with a groundbreaking scheduled in 2004." But, according to Wayne Davey, president of Discovery Center, ground has not been broken.

"We are hoping to build in Thousand Oaks. Our first choice is the Civic Arts Plaza, but nothing has been decided," he said. "It takes a lot of money."

The current half-million-dollar grant to build the Verizon Clubhouse is going to be used to purchase enhancements for the Museum Without Walls program so the group can better serve the community, Davey said. Those items will someday be used inside an actual Verizon Clubhouse building for children, he said.

An electronic harp purchased by the Discovery Center is on the second floor of the Civic Arts Plaza. Someday it will go inside a building, Davey said.

The group also has a portable, inflatable planetarium that was purchased with another grant from Verizon.