Attendees can hold a meteorite, make their own earthquakes, control robots, build their own FM radios, spin a wind turbine to generate electricity and discover hidden microworlds.
U of M hosts free Math
Media Note: For high-resolution photos from previous Math & Science Family Fun Fairs, contact Rhonda Zurn at rzurn@umn.edu.
Contacts:
Rhonda Zurn, College of Science and Engineering, rzurn@umn.edu, (612) 626-7959
Preston Smith, University News Service, smith@umn.edu, (612) 625-0552
Math plus science equals a day of fun and learning at the University of Minnesota’s annual Math & Science Family Fun Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday, Nov. 19, at the university’s Coffman Union, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis. The event is free and open to the public. The first 350 students attending will receive free U of M backpacks. Event parking is $6.
The Family Fun Fair features entertaining, hands-on math and science experiences for kids of all ages. Attendees can hold a meteorite, make their own earthquakes, control robots, build their own FM radios, spin a wind turbine to generate electricity and discover hidden microworlds.
Performances by the Physics Force and the Energy and U group highlight experiments where air pressure crushes a 55-gallon steel drum, ping pong balls can pierce through cans and energy is explained through screaming gummy bears, explosions and flames. A Mystery Science Lab explores the oddities of science with eggs that neither float nor sink, a levitating globe and water flowing with no source.
“This event is for families with kids of all ages, especially kids in kindergarten through sixth grade, who will have a chance to see the excitement that a career in science, engineering and mathematics provides,” said Dorothy Cheng, outreach coordinator for the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering.
For more information, including directions, parking and a schedule of shows and exhibits, visit www.cse.umn.edu/funfair.