Science fun for kids, teens, families and adults is planned across the state April 20-29 during the fifth annual Nebraska Science Festival.
Learning about the science of ice cream and dry ice at the eCreamery in Omaha, experiencing a planetarium at the Edgerton Explorit Center in Aurora, discovering how to “code your name” at Raising Nebraska in Grand Island and performing science experiments at the Riverside Discovery Zoo in Scottsbluff are just a few of the activities planned during the 10-day festival that is sure to encourage excitement for science around the state.
More than 100 events are planned at 47 sites around the state to encourage and inspire Nebraska youth in science, nature, art and technology.
Kacie Baum, Nebraska Science Festival Coordinator, said the University of Nebraska Medical Center started the festival in 2013 to foster the advancement of science literacy. New sites and events have been added each year across the state.
This year’s sold-out headline event features Kari Byron, who has hosted “Mythbusters,” “The White Rabbit Project” and other science-related shows. Byron’s passion for smart entertainment has lead her around the world, speaking on the role of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) programming on television, as well as hosting science fairs from Silicon Valley to the White House. She will speak April 21 at Joslyn Museum’s Witherspoon Concert Hall in Omaha.
Although Byron’s event is sold out, hundreds of other science-related events are planned across Nebraska during the 10-day festival, including:
- The free Public Expo at the Durham Museum in Omaha from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. The event allows kids to participate in fun and engaging hands-on learning opportunities including a variety of booths to promote science and its impact in everyday life.
2. The Ag Science Expo at Raising Nebraska in Grand Island (at the Nebraska State Fairgrounds) from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 29. It is recommended for children 8 years and older. Pre-registration is preferred by Friday, April 21st, but walk-ins are welcome. Activities include:
- 3-D Sand: Understand topography maps by playing in the sand.
- Nutrients for Soil: Discover the nutrients that let plants grow.
- Electric Flower: Build a circuit to make your flower glow.
- Print your Fix: Design and print your solution to a problem.
- Laparoscopic Surgery: Complete the challenge by designing a tool and conducting surgery.
- Code your Name: Use binary code to make a name bracelet.
3. SciPop Interactive at the Strategic Air & Space Museum near Ashland from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. The event is free for youth up to age 12. The event features the science behind Harry Potter, Star Trek, & Comic Book Icons. Guests are encouraged to wear a costume in support of their favorite character.
For a full list of events across the state, visit http://www.nescifest.com/schedule/