The fifth annual Nebraska Science Festival – presented by the University of Nebraska Medical Center and scheduled for April 20-29 – 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 festival schedule (with details and registration links) on www.nescifest.com, including these activities of interest in the Kearney, Grand Island, Hastings and Aurora area:
SciFest Social Media Scavenger Hunt – April 20-29
All ages are invited to participate in the statewide SciFest Social Media Scavenger Hunt. Simply take a picture of the item in the clue and post it to Facebook (comments section), Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #nescifest. Each day, one winner will be chosen at random for a SciFest T-shirt. Winners will be contacted through direct messaging.
Hastings Museum – Multiple days
Explore Nebraska’s environments up close: prairies, wetlands, rivers, agricultural habitats and more through an interactive journey! Albie the Squirrel will welcome visitors to the Hastings Museum's Nature Nook and guide them through their expedition as they investigate the human impact on nature in both rural and agricultural settings. Kids also will be able to "pop up" onto the prairie for an eye-to-eye experience with animals that hide in the tall grasses. Regular admission.
Raising Nebraska – Multiple days from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Raising Nebraska brings Nebraska agriculture to life though free interactive exhibits indoors and outdoors.
Hastings Museum Solar Observing – April 22 from 11 a.m. to noon
Use a specially equipped telescope to get an up-close – and safe – look at the star at the center of our solar system! Find out what you will see through the telescope, and what you will see if you look at the sun using only a special filter!
Backstage Pass – April 22 from noon to 5 p.m.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Allied Health Professions will hold its free "Backstage Pass" open house event on the University of Nebraska at Kearney for those interested in learning about careers in the allied health professions. Prospective students may talk with current students, as well as faculty and admissions staff, and learn first-hand about allied health careers. Students also will engage in interactive booths with activities that demonstrate each profession. Pre-registration is required.
The Edgerton Explorit Center – April 22 from 1 to 3 p.m.
One of nature’s rarest sights, a total solar eclipse visits Nebraska on Aug. 21. Learn about this spectacular event with the help of the center’s new inflatable planetarium. Dan Glomksi, Edgerton educator and astronomer, will conduct hands-on labs to have visitors make a scale model of the Earth-Moon system, as well as create a pinhole camera to take home. Visitors also will get a chance to view the sun through sun scopes. This free event is held in conjunction with the museum’s Super Science Saturday Program. The Edgerton Explorit Center also will have its Explorit Zone open, allowing visitors to interact and explore more than 50 hands-on exhibits demonstrating various scientific phenomenon.
Ag Science Expo – April 29 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
See new technology and challenges up close while you solve problems. Register your family or entire youth clubs (ex. 4-H, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, etc). This free activity at the Nebraska State Fairgrounds is recommended for ages 8 and older, but all are welcome. Registration is recommended by April 21, but walk-ins are welcome.
Presented by the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Nebraska Science Festival is a collaboration of organizations and individuals interested in the advancement of science literacy. In addition to UNMC, other sponsors, to date, are Nebraska Medicine, Metro Credit Union, the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, Novozymes Blair, Inc., and media sponsors KETV and the Omaha World-Herald.
In addition to NeSciFest.com, you will find SciFest updates and information on Twitter (@NESciFest) and Facebook (NE SciFest).
We are Nebraska Medicine and UNMC. Our mission is to lead the world in transforming lives to create a healthy future for all individuals and communities through premier educational programs, innovative research and extraordinary patient care.
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