Courtesy of the Saint Louis Science Center
This weekend, the Saint Louis Science Center will host the Community Science Showcase, the first expo of the Science Center's SciFest 2017, which presents a different weekend expo each month.
The Community Science Showcase is a free event that aims to get the community involved in STEM (an acronym for the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math).
“The idea is to make STEM accessible, to help the community realize that it’s an integral part of our daily life, even though we may not recognize it,” says Siinya Williams, the senior director of community science at the Science Center. “We want attendees to understand how science relates to them. We want them to leave curious to know more.”
Area businesses and organizations are participating with demonstrations and talks that will give attendees opportunities to interact with scientists, researchers, engineers, and other area experts.
The City of St. Louis Water Division will have a demonstration that will help explain the elaborate underwater system. “There’s a lot of science going on underground,” Williams says. “We want people to start to look around and notice how STEM operates in their normal life.”
Other activities include:
- A flight simulator with Boeing
- Information on reverse engineering by EAG Laboratories
- Robots in action
- Craft activities with Koch Elementary
- Programs offered by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
- A design thinking challenge by GLAMM (Girls Lead and Make Moves)
The event promises to have something for everyone in the family. “STEM is a universal language; it doesn’t matter your age or your culture,” Williams says.
In addition to the science expo, there will be dance and music performances and science demonstrations.
The Community Science Showcase is one of Williams’ favorite events because it attracts people who typically don’t visit the Science Center. “It’s great to see families coming together and getting energized about STEM.”
The Science Center has also announced its 2017 exhibits. "MathAlive!" brings to life the math behind video games, sports, music, space, robotics, and design. Visitors can control NASA's next Mars rover, design and play their own video games, and more. The free exhibit will run January 27 to May 7.
"The Discovery of King Tut" debuts May 27 and features 1,000 reproductions scientifically created by Egyptian artisans. Visitors can also walk in the footsteps of archeologist Howard Carter and relive the moment the tomb and its treasures were discovered. The exhibit will be $8 for members, $16 for non-member adults, and $14 for non-member children and seniors.
The Community Science Showcase begins Saturday, January 14, at 10 a.m. and continues through Monday, January, 16 until 4:00 p.m. For more information, visit the Science Center's website or Facebook page.
