There was the time – during our science night at Werner Park – that a young boy who stood waist high to a cardiologist, lobbed question upon question about the heart surgery he once had. All while the two walked through a giant inflatable heart.
Another time, there was a pint-sized girl whose white coat hinted at her career interest in being a scientist, or at least of dressing up.
Then, there were the school-age inventors who scurried out of the path of Memento-fueled soda rockets that blasted across the parking lot at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum.
The days of the Nebraska Science Festival open a window on all things science, and each year I am privileged to watch the quizzical looks of children (and yes, even adults) gradually turn into whispers of “wow, that’s awesome.”
I see and hear it time and again, and smile.
It’s during each of these moments of awe and curiosity and discovery that the months of planning dissipate and the rewards stand tall.
This year, we celebrate our fifth year of the Nebraska Science Festival, dubbed SciFest for short, and I encourage you to join us April 20-29 to discover your own “wow” moment. Or moments.
While spearheaded and administered by UNMC, the festival involves the entire state and a number of organizations and individuals interested in the advancement of science literacy. This year, we’re excited to announce our keynote speaker, Kari Byron, best known as a host on Discovery Channel’s
“Mythbusters” and “The White Rabbit Project” on Netflix.
Returning will be our hands-on, free, family-friendly science expo, along with numerous activities across the state.
Yes, each year gets bigger and better and 2017 will be no different. For a glimpse of the festival growth, I am proud to report that the 2016 festival:
- Grew with more events (from 56 in 2015 to 88 in 2016), venues (36 to 48), cities (12 to 16) and attendees (13,699 to 17,676).
- Added more programming highlighting women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM), including a “Women in Science” panel discussion.
- Extended across the state with the inclusion of the Riverside Discovery Center in Scottsbluff and a statewide social media science scavenger hunt.
The festival wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and support of the many volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors, teachers, students and sites sharing their passion for science.
So, as we celebrate the state’s 150th anniversary, let us also celebrate Nebraska’s many strengths in science. I know you’ll join me in saying, “Wow, that’s awesome.”
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Get involved in the 2017 NE SCIFEST.