AUSTIN, Texas — From the stars in outer space to snails here on Earth, Austin Science Fun Day will present it all again on March 7 for the fifth consecutive year. The action starts at 10 a.m. at Texas Memorial Museum, 2400 Trinity, on The University of Texas at Austin campus. Free parking will be available.
More than 30 local science organizations, paired with school children and their teachers, will teach and entertain the public as they present interactive displays on the most interesting and fun aspects of science. This year’s free event will include a day-long stage show featuring live music, drama and science presentations. The featured performers will include Bill Oliver and his Otter Space Band.Austin Science Fun Day is co-sponsored by Advanced Micro Devices, the Texas Memorial Museum, and the UT Austin College of Natural Sciences.
“This will be a wonderful opportunity for the community to participate in a positive science experience with children and their teachers,” said Dr. Mary Ann Rankin, dean of the College of Natural Sciences. “Thousands of people had a great time at last year’s event because the displays were interactive. People can touch, see and feel science as presented by eager, young students.”
“The Texas Memorial Museum is extremely excited to be hosting Austin Science Fun Day. We want to promote Austin’s widespread interest in science, the environment and technology. Hosting Science Fun Day will help us reintroduce the new Texas Memorial Museum to the Austin community,” said Dr. Edward C. Theriot, director of the museum.
Participating science organizations including Austin Children’s Museum, Austin Nature & Science Center, Travis County Parks Department and the National Wildflower Research Center each have adopted a local school, pairing science professionals with science students to develop exhibits. Students teaching other students is an added dimension as the Science Academy of LBJ High School teams up with elementary school students.
“AMD is thrilled to be able to work with The University of Texas at Austin and Texas Memorial Museum in sponsoring this fun and important community event,” said Gary Heerssen, group executive and vice president of Wafer Fab Division, Advance Micro Devices. “Science appreciation and education is not only vital to the well-being of our society and its future, it is fun! We are happy to be a part of this effort to reach out to the community’s youth and help share in the fun and excitement of scientific discovery and education.”
For additional information, contact Janice Anderson, administrative associate, College of Natural Sciences, at (512) 471-3285 or by e-mail at http://www.utexas.edu/cons/.
