Jacksonville University, MOSH, Hemming Plaza, Friendship Park and
Jacksonville Main Library to feature free S.T.E.A.M.-related exhibits
What: The Second Annual Jacksonville Science Festival highlighting the power of S.T.E.A.M. through more than 125 interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and staged performances celebrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. Student contests and participation events will also be featured. The event has quadrupled in size from the first year, with up to 2,500 students and residents rotating among sites. The premier sponsor for the event is Microsoft, whose representatives will be on the JU campus along with other sponsors and vendors.
A cash prize of $1,000 will be awarded to the winning K-12 student team based on popular vote. A college scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded to a the winning K-12 student participant. A cash prize of $50 will be given to Art Contest Winners in each grade category.
When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 8.
Where: Host sites are the Jacksonville University Marine Science Research Institute, the Museum of Science & History, Hemming Plaza and the Jacksonville Main Library. Shuttle service will be available for festival-goers.
Details: The Second Annual Jacksonville Science festival is free to the public and will feature a wide variety of exciting, hands-on, interactive exhibits featuring science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Highlights include The Physics of Skateboarding with InstaRamps at Hemming Plaza; BIG Science at MOSH; a StarLab Portable Planetarium at Jacksonville Main Public Library; a floating Science Lab on view at Jacksonville University; and more than 120 other engaging exhibits, activities and performances. Science Festivals help unite communities, develop connections that foster new collaborations, create pride and generate knowledge, innovation and invention. For the economy, the Jacksonville Science Festival makes a strong statement about a region’s leading role in STEAM, an economic driver of the 21st Century. It can help develop the local workforce and foster a positive business climate. The festival can also bolster local tourism.
Attendance: Up to 2,500 people per event site, rotating at sites throughout the day. More than 1,000 children on public/private/homeschool field trips will attend March 6-7 at The Foundation Academy Campus host site.
More information: Visit http://jacksonvillesciencefestival.com for details, and for group/school registration. A promo video is at http://youtu.be/4GjBWmDZj-U. For host-site information, contact Dr. Gerry Pinto of the JU MSRI at (904) 256-7338 or GPinto@ju.edu; and for JaxSciFest general information, contact Cindy Rathburn at (904) 493-7300 or Cindy@ChildrensChampions.org.