Notes about your surroundings

Hot Topics--Three upcoming summer workshops at the Discovery Museum of Orange County will tackle the subjects of snakes, solar power and insects. Part of the “Make and Take Monday” series, the workshops are for children 4 to 10.

“Slick Skin and Scales” on Aug. 11 takes youngsters into the world of amphibians and reptiles. Children will go on a safari for lizards, examine live snakes and learn how salamanders breathe without lungs.

On Aug. 18, the focus is on the role of the sun in everyday life. The workshop includes shadow experiments and studying the effect of the sun on plants and animals.

For the “Incredible Insects” program Aug. 25, students will go on an insect safari, make butterfly gliders and race crickets.

Each session is divided into two age groups: 4- to 6-year-olds and 7 to 10. Hours are 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the museum, 3101 W. Harvard St., Santa Ana. Cost is $5 for museum members and $7 for nonmembers. Reservations are requested. (714) 540-0404.

Refuge Rescue--A lecture next Sunday at the Orange County Marine Institute will be on “The Dana Point Marine Life Refuge: Saving an Urban Refuge.” The talk is part of a free summer series on current issues in ocean resources and management presented by staff scientists. The talk runs from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. at the institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. Afterward, a marine wildlife cruise is offered from 1:30 to 4 p.m. for a charge. Seafarers aboard the institute’s R/V Sea Explorer can observe sea lions, scorpion fish, jellyfish, brittle stars and tonguefish. Information: (714) 496-2274.

Clean Getaway--Ever wondered what’s involved in treating waste water? Groups are invited to visit the treatment plant in Fountain Valley. The 90-minute tours are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Children must be at least 6 and accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required at least two weeks in advance. For information, write the County Sanitation Districts of Orange County, Attention: Tour Guide Program Coordinator, P.O. Box 8127, Fountain Valley, CA 92728-8127. (714) 962-2411.