April 15 marks the beginning of the 2016 Nebraska Science Festival. And, with more than a dozen events opening weekend alone, how will you celebrate science?
Fill your weekend with any number of family-friendly science events including:
- high altitude balloon launches at multiple sites;
- Weatherfest at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln;
- a storm spotting training workshop at UNL;
- the science of beer at Ploughshare Brewing Company in Lincoln;
- a planet party at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium;
- hands-on science experiments at Metropolitan Community College;
- raptors and wildflowers at Fontenelle Forest;
- a Wayne State College planetarium show; or
- nature-inspired glass sculptures at the Lauritzen Gardens.
“We have activities for all ages and throughout the state,” said SciFest Coordinator Kacie Baum. “So, mark your calendars and join us to both celebrate and discover the magic of science.”
The celebration continues throughout the week with activities including a women in science panel discussion, DNA Day at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, a high school 3D invent-a-thon, an engineering showcase, a stem cell researcher lunch and learn, and water-themed fun at KANEKO.
The festival concludes April 23 with more events across the state, including:
- a rocket launch near Jansen, Neb.;
- a SciPop Interactive event at UNL;
- hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities at the University of Nebraska at Omaha; and
- the SciFest public expo at The Durham Museum, which will feature hands-on activities including an inflatable, walk-through heart exhibit. Provided by Medical Inflatable Exhibits, the MEGA Heart® is approximately 25 feet long by 15 feet wide by 13 feet high.
To see the full list of SciFest events, and to plan your outings, visit the festival website at nescifest.com. In addition to NeSciFest.com, you will find SciFest updates and information on Twitter (@NESciFest) and Facebook (NE SciFest).
The Nebraska Science Festival began in 2013 as an initiative of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which continues to administer the festival with the assistance of a number of organizations and individuals interested in the advancement of science literacy.
The Science Festival is designed to make science accessible, interactive, relevant and fun for kids and adults alike. In addition to UNMC, other sponsors include the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, Nebraska Medicine, Metro Credit Union, West Corporation and media sponsors KETV and the Omaha World-Herald.