Science Fun Day activities on March 6 designed to demonstrate that science is accessible, meaningful, important and fun

AUSTIN, Texas—For the sixth consecutive year, students from Austin area schools will team up with more than 30 science institutions, organizations and agencies to explore topics and show visitors the long lasting benefits science offers to society during Austin Science Fun Day at The University of Texas at Austin.

The March 6 weekend event at Texas Memorial Museum, 2400 Trinity on the east side of campus, will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Free parking will be available in the parking garage next to the Texas Memorial Museum.

Science Fun Day celebrates young presenters’ joy of mastering concepts with the wonder of exploration by visiting families. Activities will include interactive booth exhibits of a scientific nature prepared by local science organizations in partnership with school classes.

The event also includes a daylong stage show featuring a physics and chemistry circus, animal acts, Bill Oliver and the Otter Space Band, together with visiting llamas and the PlantMobile.

Austin Science Fun Day is co-sponsored by Advanced Micro Devices, National Instruments, Radian International, Texas Memorial Museum and UT Austin’s College of Natural Sciences.

The activities coincide with the University’s UT Interactive: A Campus-wide Exploration event — a free open house on March 6 that invites Texans of all ages to experience the full depth and variety of the University’s resources.

Organized around four interdisciplinary themes — Growing Texas and Beyond, Living Forever, Designing our World, and Transforming the Future — UT Interactive is an unparalleled opportunity for the public to learn first-hand how the University’s teaching, research and people benefit society. Visitors can participate in an estimated 400 programs and activities, tour facilities, view priceless treasures, meet students and faculty, and experience how UT is transforming the Texas of today and tomorrow.

“We are pleased to bring this popular event to the community in a spirit of sharing. The essence of Fun Day’s success is the interacting of participants with the visitors,” said Dr. Mary Ann Rankin, dean of the College of Natural Sciences. “People of all ages have an opportunity to relate to science — and have a wonderful time doing so.”

For additional Austin Science Fun Day information, contact Janice Anderson,College of Natural Sciences, at 471-3285 or by email at: janderson@mail.utexas.edu.

To arrange media opportunities, contact Brent Lyles, Texas MemorialMuseum, at 471-1604 (email at sciguy@mail.utexas.edu) or Margaret Russell, Aquarena Center, at (512) 835-6657 (email at margo.russell@altavista.net).