SciFest 08 Symposium
The Future of Science and Technology in St. Louis
Join invited leaders from St. Louis businesses, universities, media and civic institutions for a discussion about the importance of science and technology to our community, state and nation. The discussion panel, moderated by Dr. Bill Peck, will discuss challenges and opportunities around issues such as the looming crisis in science and technology education and workforce development in these areas, how these industries impact our region, their potential for growth in the future and how St. Louis can emerge to become recognized as America’s center for science. Top authorities in the fields of science from other parts of the U.S. and Europe will join our St. Louis panel to provide a national and international perspective.
Join the discussion, as questions, offer opinions and be part of formulating the St. Louis science and technology community call to action.
Register for this free event by calling 314.289.4424.
SciFest 08 For Schools
Monday, October 13 - Elementary Schools
Students and staff choose from a wide range of specially designed presentations and subjects. Programs include hands-on workshops, demonstrations, presentations from leading scientists and OMNIMAX® films. School programs are $10 per student and include one session and an OMNIMAX® film. One chaperone is required for every 10 students. Chaperones are free. Pre-ordered box lunches are available. To make reservations for school groups, call Jill Willhite at 314.289.4439. For more information about the sessions, please contact Jessica Castiglioni at 314.289.1427 or jcastigl@slsc.org.
Dinosaurs Alive!
10am - 10:45am and 2pm - 2:45pm in the OMNIMAX® Theater
Dinosaurs Alive is a global adventure of science and discovery – featuring the earliest dinosaurs of the Triassic Period ot the monsters of the Cretaceous “reincarnated” life-sized for the giant-screen. From the exotic, trackless expanses and sand dunes of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert to the dramatic sandstone buttes of New Mexico, the film will follow paleontologists from the American Museum of Natural History as the explore some of the greatest dinosaur finds in history.
Lego Robots
10am - 10:45am, 11:15am - 12pm and 12:30 - 1:15pm
Use your toys in a whole new way! Combining computer technology, Lego bricks, electric motors, sensors, and more you can work with University of Missouri engineers to build a functioning robot and find out how a human brain-muscle-senses system is similar to the LEGO system.
Warning Children at Play: Design Challenge
10am - 10:45am, 11:15am - 12pm and 12:30 - 1:15pm
Adults may say hands off, but here, adults know that children need to be creative with everyday materials. Come build unique engineering designs that will be matched up with your peers in an exciting design challenge. The Saint Louis Science Center staff will facilitate the session and judge the creations made.
Dino-Fare
10am - 10:45am and 11:15am - 12pm
Have you ever wanted to drop in on the time of dinosaurs? Saint Louis Science Center staff present several hands on stations to bring out the paleontologist in you! Enjoy a festival of dinosaur and paleontology activities including building a dinosaur, holding an actual dinosaur fossil, and exploring how fossils are created and found in the stream table.
Black Light Fun
10am - 10:45am
Come see in the dark! You will be amazed at what glows under black light! Join scientists from Pfizer to find out how a black light works, discover interesting things that glow only when lit by a black light, and see some cool applications of this technology.
Science Songs
10am - 10:45am and 12:30pm - 1:15pm
Come sing and learn about science concepts such as migration, plant growth, life cycles, and hibernation led by David Haines from the UK. David has demonstrated his commitment to exploring scientific subjects and promoting public understanding of science through his songs for over twenty years! Most recently David wrote and composed the Lifetime Project to stimulate interest and enthusiasm for the Science of Life and Evolution.
Science of Vegetables
10am - 10:45am and 11:15am - 12pm
Join scientists from Monsanto for hands-on experiments using basic skills in the field of biotechnology. Students will conduct a mock plant transformation experiment and learn how plant genes function. We will also discuss how plants grow in the lab and on the farm. Students will examine plants using common laboratory tools. To reinforce the lesson students will have fun learning how to tie-dye with cabbage juice and take their creation home.
Secrets of the Stars
10am - 10:45am
Ever wanted to touch a falling star? Ever wondered what lies inside a comet? Ever dreamed about creating your own constellation? Now you have the chance to do all three: Join Science Center staff for hands-on stellar exploration as we delve into the secrets of the stars. This program will include story-telling, comet creating and a chance to touch actual meteorites thanks to a visit by St. Louis’ own Meteorman.
Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey
11am - 11:45am and 4pm - 4:45pm in the OMNIMAX® Theater
This thrilling film is an exploration of the sights and sounds of continents and cultures, guided by the internationally acclaimed performers of the sensational stage show STOMP.
Survivor MBG - Plant Adaptations
11:15am - 12pm
Why do roses have thorns? Why do some plants eat insects? Why do some plants grow on others with no roots in the soil? Come learn about these and other plant structures that aid in a plant’s survival. In this hands-on workshop, presented by the Missouri Botanical Garden, students will explore plants and their amazing differences. Each student will plant a cactus to take home.
States of Matter
11:15am - 12pm
Did you ever want to liquefy gases in the air around you, blow up balloons without loosing your breath or prepare a critical component of rocket fuel? Join Pfizer Scientists to see the states of matter at work as we transform gases, liquids and solids to inflate objects, condense gases and change properties of materials. Structural differences of solids, liquids and gases will be explored using some common laboratory devices. Phase changes will be investigated to freeze common objects, measure the molecular weight of a single molecule and discover important properties common objects.
Greatest Places
12pm - 12:45pm in the OMNIMAX® Theater
This giant-screen film that takes you on an educational journey to seven of the most geographically dynamic locations on Earth, including Greenland, Madagascar, Namib, Okavango, Tibet, Iguazu and the Amazon.
Zoo Clues
12:30 - 1:15pm
Join the Saint Louis Zoo in this hands-on class, solving puzzles to learn more about animals. Use clues such as animal calls and tracks to figure out the identity of some local animals, and even meet some of them, too.
Play with your food!
12:30pm - 1:15pm
Learn how food scientists work to develop products that not only taste great, but also look good and feel nice on your tongue too. Led by Science Center staff, students will uncover the chemistry secrets of some of their favorite foods through hands-on activities. They’ll turn into food sleuths by testing several food ingredients to discover the science behind the yum!
Secrets of the Stars
11:15am - 12pm and 12:30pm - 1:15pm
This program calls for a chance of showers-meteor showers! Students join Science Center staff to learn about these astronomical events and get the chance to touch a genuine ‘fallen star!” Also in the forecast are making an icy comet nucleus, creating unique constellations and mythological stories and a meteor shower preview show in the Planetarium. So prepare for a 100% chance of fun.
What is under our feet?
10am - 10:45am, 11:15am - 12pm and 12:30 - 1:15pm
K-2 students and their teachers are invited to participate in a one-hour program, “What is Under Our Feet?” We will explore the fascinating living and historical world found underground and in Missouri caves. Sessions will take place at the Investigation Station on the Science Center parking lot.