The fourth annual Nebraska Science Festival – presented by the University of Nebraska Medical Center and scheduled for April 15-23 – is around the corner. And, with a multitude of science- and technology-related activities in communities across the state, it’s not too early to plan your SciFest schedule.
You’ll find the entire schedule on www.nescifest.com, including these activities of interest in the Kearney, Grand Island, Hastings and Aurora area:
- Raising Nebraska – April 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Discover Raising Nebraska, which brings Nebraska agriculture to life though free interactive exhibits indoors and outdoors. See how things come to life and get up close with the many aspects of Nebraska agriculture. Raising Nebraska – open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – is located inside the Nebraska Building on the Nebraska State Fairgrounds, 501 E Fonner Park Road, Grand Island. For more information, call 308.385.3967 or email elizabeth.janning@unl.edu.
- Hastings Museum Dome Show: To Space and Back – April 19, 20, 21, 22 at 2 p.m.
To Space & Back takes audiences on an incredible journey from the far reaches of our known universe to our own planet. It is an extraordinary story of human ingenuity and incredible engineering, describing how the technology that transports us through space is paving the way for the devices and apps we use every day. What is happening above is coming back down to Earth!
- An Evening with Dr. Shoukhrat Mitalipov – April 21 at 5 p.m. ·
The public is invited to spend an evening with Shoukhrat Mitalipov, Ph.D. This free event is at the University of Kearney, Copeland Hall, Room 142. Born in Kazakhstan, Dr. Mitalipov is a biologist who heads the Center for Embryonic Cell and Gene Therapy at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. He is known for discovering a controversial genetic therapy that may be a way to prevent mitochondrial diseases, a disorder that occurs when structures that produce energy for a cell malfunction. In 2013, he also described a new way of creating human stem cells from skin cells.
- Doug Lund DNA Day – April 22 at 2:30 p.m.
Join the University of Nebraska at Kearney for the fourth annual Doug Lund DNA Day. Dr. Lund was a UNK professor of biology, specifically genetics and immunology, for more than 37 years. He encouraged scientific inquiry and love for biology in all his students.
- Super Science Saturday: Go Fly a Kite – April 23 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
As part of NE SciFest, the Edgerton Explorit Center offers a workshop on kites on Saturday, April 23 from 1:30 p.m. to approximately 3 p.m. Participants will build a beautiful, easy-to-fly Brasington bird kite. Afterwards, Roger Kenkel of Showstopper Kites in Gibbon, Neb., presents an introduction to flying stunt kites. If weather is suitable, we will fly kites at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds west of the center. Kites may be taken home by participants. (One kite kit supplied per child.) Admission to the workshop is free for Explorit Center members; non-members pay regular center admission of $6.25 per person.
The Nebraska Science Festival is a collaboration 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.
For the full schedule of SciFest activities and participating sites, visit us on the web: www.nescifest.com. For additional info and updates, visit us on Twitter (@NESciFest) or Facebook (NE SciFest).