Feb. 9, 2023
The Nebraska Science Festival returns this spring with a myriad of science and technology-related activities scheduled throughout the month of April.
Launched in 2013 by the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the statewide festival allows participants to discover the importance of science and how it is intertwined in their daily lives. Activities are interactive, relevant and fun for kids and adults.
Activities will be promoted on the Nebraska Science Festival website, as well as on Twitter and Facebook. Events are continually being added, so visit often for updates or to see if reservations or tickets are required.
Among this year’s SciFest highlights:
- SciFest Keynote Speaker – Ken Jennings, the greatest “Jeopardy!” player of all time and current co-host of the show, will present “Artificial Intelligence: Are Humans in Jeopardy?” on April 6 at 7:30 p.m. CT at the Boys Town Music Hall, 13715 Flanagan Blvd, on the Boys Town, Nebraska, campus. (General admission tickets will be released March 6 via Event Brite).
- Science Sundays – Stop by the Gene Leahy Mall, 1208 Farnam Street, and, while supplies last, participate in (or take home) a science project designed for kindergarten through fourth grade. The SciFest team will be located near the Mall’s giant slides on Sundays between 1 and 2 p.m. (with the exception of Easter Sunday (April 9), when the activity will take place April 8)
- Public Science Expo at The Durham Museum, Omaha — The free, in-person public expo will feature a variety of hands-on science activities (interested in providing a hands-on activity? Register via the SciFest website). The expo will be April 29 from 9 a.m. to noon.
- Art Contest – Discover the intersection of art and science in this year’s art contest. Using fungi as inspiration, participants can create (draw, paint, glue, sculpt) artwork that reflects this unique organism and be entered to win an NE SciFest swag package.
- Walk to the Moon Challenge – NE SciFest is challenging everyone in Nebraska to show their love of science by participating in a 30-day exercise challenge that collectively will take them to the moon. The challenge will start April 1 and end on April 30. Any type of exercise will count (miles, minutes or steps) and all exercise will be converted into steps for the challenge. The challenge is to collectively cover 238,855 miles, or 477,710,000 steps, so plan your exercise schedule.
- Statewide Scavenger Hunt – Go out and search for science. To participate, simply complete a series of questions during the month of April. Once you find all of the items, take a picture and email it to nescifest@gmail.com for the chance to win an NE SciFest swag bag.
- Essay Contest in partnership with Kiewit Luminarium – The contest is for anyone age 19 and younger who lives in Nebraska and is enrolled in a public, private or home school. Visit the SciFest website for details. Winners receive a swag bag of NE SciFest and Kiewit Luminarium goodies.
- SciFest Flavor of the Month – Love ice cream? Throughout April, eCreamery again will sell a SciFest Flavor of the Month. Watch for details.
Presented by UNMC, 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 Boys Town, Metro Credit Union and media sponsor KETV.