Thursday, October 20
SciFest for Schools - Middle and High School Programs
Students and staff choose from a wide range of specially designed presentations and subjects. Programs include hands-on workshops, demonstrations and presentations from leading scientists. School programs are $5 per student. One adult chaperone is required for every 10 students. The chaperone is admitted free of charge. Online registration will begin on August 30, 2010. Payment by credit card, check or purchase order will be required at registration. All programs subject to change.
A Day in the Life of a Veterinarian
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
We love our pets! Your vet will tell you that spaying or neutering is essential to being a good pet owner, but why do some people still shy away from it? Meet a veterinarian who does this simple procedure every day and watch the live surgery being performed. See for yourself that it doesn’t hurt. Find out what you can do to help unwanted animals who need homes.
Max: 200 students – middle school only
Location: May Hall
Bug in a Cup
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Are you fascinated with insects? What is metamorphosis? Come and interact with Monsanto entomologists and observe insects at various stages of development. Learn about the “good” insects and the ones, which are considered to be agricultural “pests.”
Max: 35 students – middle school only
Location: Life Science Lab
Science Live: A Blast of a Good Time!
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Exclusive to SciFest, Science Museum Oklahoma presents Science Live where the science of explosions and the chemistry of combustion take center stage. Experience the mind-blowing fun of live theatre and great science with Wonder Instigator, Relevance Czar and 2010 Science Showman of the Year Winner: Clayton Moore.
Max: 200 students – middle school only
Location: May Hall
FrogWatch©
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Want to help animals in your backyard, at your school and in your community? Jump in and join the Saint Louis Zoo to help our native frogs and toads, practice your important science skills and be part of a nationwide conservation program. You will learn frog identification, listen to common frog calls and discover how to make any area more frog friendly. Schools will receive materials to help start their own FrogWatch© program.
Max: 25 students – middle school only
Location: Outside Planetarium
Robot Revolution
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Student teams will design and build their own robots using robotics equipment from the Society of Automotive Engineers with Paul Freiling, FIRST Robotics Coordinator, Saint Louis Science Center. Integrate math and science into your designs and enter a robot competition.
Max: 35 students – middle school only
Location: Mission Control, Planetarium
Trees!
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
What's not to love about trees? They clean the air we breathe, beautify our neighborhoods and provide homes for a diversity of animals. Join the crew from the Missouri Botanical Garden to discover more about trees and their role in the world.
Max: 25 students – middle school only
Location: Outside Planetarium
Planting Seeds, Growing Roots
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Everywhere you look people are taking up shovels and planting gardens, from the White House to your neighbors down the street. Come explore the many facets of successful gardening and growing your own food. You will learn about worm composting, seed sprouting, how to create and maintain healthy soil, different methods of farming and even learn how the Native Americans have passed on their knowledge of farming.
Max: 25 students – middle school only
Location: Monsanto Urban Farm, Outside Exploradome
Little Thinking: The Science of Nanotechnology
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | 11:30 a.m - 12:30 p.m.
Come explore the “Science of Small”. Learn how scientists are working on an incredibly small scale. Through hands-on activities, this program will help students understand the basics of nanotechnology as well as the challenges scientists face working with objects on the nanoscale. Students will have the opportunity to try to move “atoms”, experiment with how chemistry plays an important role in the manipulation of objects on the nanoscale, and experiment with nanotechnology-based products Max: 25 students – middle school only
Location: AB Rooms
Icy Comets & Meteor Showers
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
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 a meteor shower preview show in the Planetarium.
Max: 40 students – middle school only
Location: StarBay, Planetarium
“Hello, Universe! Is Anyone Out There?”
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Perhaps the single most profound question asked by anyone who looks to the night sky is, “Are we alone?” The immense size of our universe seems to imply the possibility of intelligent life elsewhere, but it also makes it virtually impossible to establish any form of communication. Join us as we explore the fascinating possibilities of contact with E.T.
Max: 200 students – middle school only
Location: StarBay, Planetarium
EVie: The Electric Vehicle
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Come meet EVie and learn all about electric vehicles and the energy and electricity concepts behind her. Take a tour of EVie and learn what makes her different from other trucks. Explore EVie’s exhibits and learn about energy and energy’s role in the environment.
Max: 15 students – middle school only
Location: SLSC Parking Lot
Your River, Your Future: Make the Connection
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Do you know where you drinking water comes from or where the water from your bathtub ends up? Join the educators from the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center to learn more about your individual watershed and strategies for working with others to sustain the health of our great rivers.
Max: 120 students – middle school only
Location: AB Rooms
Bringing Fossils to Life
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Love dinosaurs? Have you ever wanted to hold dinosaur poop? Well, now is your chance! Join Science Center Staff in the Paleo Prep Lab and dive into the world of paleontology. See and touch real dinosaur fossils dug up from Montana. Learn how scientists use fossils to recreate images of the past. Come investigate the world of fossils and see what information you can dig up.
Max: 15 students – middle school only
Location: Paleo Lab
Design Challenge
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Can you build a roller coaster and make a marble jump off the track and land inside a can? In this exciting competition judged by Science Center staff, your team of design engineers will use physics to solve problems. Each time you meet a challenge, you’ll advance to the next level to something even more difficult.
Max: 120 students – middle school only
Location: Exploradome Lobby
*Programs subject to change.