Public Science Day 1998 at OMSI

What:

Joining thousands of students nationwide, 500 Portland students will become scientists for a day, demonstrating their own science creations and getting tips from local science educators during National Public Science Day, February 12, at OMSI. The program's goal is to show kids how science concepts learned in the classroom apply to real-life situations encountered everyday.

As a tie-in to this year's national theme, "Scientist in the City," students will learn about topics relating to what they are studying in the classroom, such as chemistry, engineering, astronomy, architecture, meteorology and ecology. Kids also will:

• Learn about earthquakes and try to build earthquake-proof buildings
• Demonstrate their own classroom projects on the life cycle of salmon
• Build bridges
• Learn about biochemistry and try experiments, such as sucking an egg into a bottle without breaking it, and techniques used in DNA analysis
• Demonstrate their own projects on electricity
• Learn the engineering and physics behind a recumbent bicycle
• Participate in a unique art project that combines computers, radiology and lasers

The event celebrates the end of a unique three-year, museum-to-school partnership between OMSI and Buckman Elementary School where OMSI trained students and teachers on how to use technology and hands-on science inquiry to enhance classroom learning. OMSI was one of only six museums nationwide selected to participate in this Science Learning Network project funded by the National Science Foundation and UNISYS Corp.

Who:

• The entire Buckman Elementary school (520 students)
• Local science educators
• Matt Zaffino, KGW-TV weatherman (1-2 p.m. presentation on weather)

When:

Thursday, February 12, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Where:

OMSI, 1945 SE Water Avenue