Wednesday, October 19
SciFest for Schools - Middle 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.
Science of Pizza
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Pizza is both delicious and a science! Most people don’t realize how much science is involved when making pizza. There are a lot of factors to consider such as types of flour, water temperatures and yeast combinations. Onesto Pizza & Trattoria will help you learn how gluten and fermentation CO2 gases affect pizza dough. Also: Marilyn Tanner-Blasair, MHS, RD, LD, Registered Dietitian, Washington University School of Medicine will talk with students about healthy food choices.
Max: 25 students – middle school only
Location: AB Rooms
Science Live: A Blast of a Good Time!
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
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 – elementary/middle
Location: May Hall
What’s That You’re Eating?
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
CLearn how all foods are technically organic and some common myths and perceptions about organic vs. “non-organic” foods. Learn about your carbon footprint and how what you do every day can impact the health of the planet.
Max: 35 students – middle school only
Location: Life Science Classroom
Robot Revolution
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Student teams will design and build their own robots using robotics equipment by 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. - 11:00 a.m. | 11 a.m. - 12 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 – elementary/middle
Location: Outside Planetarium
Think, Do and Test
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
SciFest welcomes Edutainer Hans Van Hoof all the way from Technopolis in Belgium. Team up with Hans to find out what ingredients you need to create the ultimate science show. Smoke appears. Fire is set. Soap bubbles are exploding, Hans promises you’ll go out with a bang!
Max: 200 students – elementary/ middle
Location: May Hall
Grandma Funny’s Hot Wheels
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Why does a roller coaster go faster and faster as it speeds downhill? Through investigations with ramps and toy cars, explore potential and kinetic energy with Grandma Funny (aka Carol Valenta, Senior Vice President and Associate Director, Saint Louis Science Center). Creative ways of measuring make it possible to translate observations and data into predictions of results. Use that knowledge to build model miniature roller coasters!
Max: 30 students – elementary school only
Location: AB Rooms
EVie: The Electric Vehicle
11 a.m. - 12 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 – elementary/middle
Location: SLSC Parking Lot
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 – elementary/middle
Location: Monsanto Urban Farm, outside Exploradome
Secrets of the Stars
10 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Ever wanted to touch a failing 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 a hands-on stellar exploration as we delve into the Secrets of the stars.
Max: 40 students – elementary school only
Location: StarBay, Planetarium
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
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 – elementary/middle
Location: Exploradome Lobby
Icy Comets & Meteor Showers
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.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
Bringing Fossils to Life
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 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 in 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.
Mmax: 15 students – elementary/middle
Location: Paleo Lab
*Programs are subject to change.