MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE ST. JOSEPH MUSEUM TEAM UP TO PRESENT THE 20TH ANNUAL SUPER SCIENCE SATURDAY!
SUPER SCIENCE SATURDAY 2020 WILL BE HELD IN REMINGTON/AGENSTEIN HALL AT MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY
How do you get your children excited about science and math? Treat them to the experience that is Super Science Saturday! They can solve a math maze, try biology, physics, and chemistry experiments, meet amazing creatures, and much more! This annual event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, in the Remington/Agenstein Hall at Missouri Western State University, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Presented by the St. Joseph Museum and MWSU, the day will include hands-on activities, courtesy of MWSU, area high schools, Hy-Vee, the Remington Nature Center, as well as KQ2 and KNPN television stations.
The St. Joseph Museum will return to its roots again this year with Super Science Saturday, reflecting the Museums’ original founding as a Children’s Museum over 90 years ago. The Children’s Museum was a project of the Natural Science Club of the St. Joseph Junior College, under the direction of club sponsor, and first museum director, Miss Orrel Andrews. Super Science Saturday began in 2001 as an opportunity to bring area high school and Missouri Western State University science educators together with the community’s youth for one action-packed day of exploring the sciences. Hands-on, kid-friendly experiments and projects are performed for -- and with the help of -- the students who attend. Past experiments have included the sound sandwich, color wheels, and tetrahedron tower building.
So what’s new this year? Why, you can make a Big Face Box to gigantify your head for one thing! Then there is the glow wall and the 3-D holograph illusion courtesy of science instructor Rich Piper of South Holt High School. Thanks to Benton High School science instructor Daniel Benz and his student volunteers, there will be experiments relating to air and gas pressure too! For a look at the science of health, Hy-Vee Store Dietitian Sheri Craddock, RD, LD will present experiments related to food choices and how to make wise ones.
Along with a series of ongoing experiments, MWSU Chemistry professors will present their always popular chemistry shows every 15 minutes beginning at 10:30 a.m. Visitors can also expect to see and participate in “Fun with Biology”, a series of biology experiments presented by students from the MWSU Biology Department featuring Bess Beetles, termites, and various types of cockroaches.
In the Bushman Planetarium, there will be brief shows starting every 10 minutes that are available at no additional charge.
You just never know what you might see in in the Creatures programs, which will be given at 11 a.m. and at 12, 1, and 2 p.m. The Remington Nature Center staff and volunteers will be presenting Missouri’s native reptiles. Learn about the diversity of reptiles found right here in your own state. Does an exotic reptile make a good pet? Could be, but they will explain what it's like to be an owner of these unique and often long-lived animals. Be sure to stop by and meet their sulcata tortoise as well as many live snakes!
As a challenge to youth and adults alike, a room-size “Math Maze” will be presented by Dr. Kevin Andersen and Dr. Lori McCune in the entryway of Remington Hall at MWSU.
For a few mind games and illusions, check out the activities presented by MWSU Psychology Department on the first floor of Remington Hall.
Be sure to check out the second and third floor atriums where there will be “Weather Centers” with activities and demonstrations thanks to meteorologists Mike Bracciano of KQ2 and Matt Brooks of KNPN. There will also be a "Weather Forecasting Technology” area where children can practice giving weather reports in front of a green screen, just like the pros!
“The St. Joseph Museum began as a natural science museum for children and we are committed to education. Super Science Saturday is a great way to coordinate with local science and math experts to fulfil that commitment while honoring the Museums’ beginnings,” said Sara Wilson, executive director, St. Joseph Museums, “We’re looking forward to providing a day of fun for the entire family, and to building lasting enthusiasm for the sciences.”
Super Science Saturday will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at Remington/Agenstein Hall at Missouri Western State University, 4525 Downs Drive. Admission is $3 for adults and students. Children under five are free. Parking is free. All children must be accompanied by an adult. To purchase tickets in advance, visit stjosepmuseum.org/events. For more information, call 816-232-8471 or e-mail the St. Joseph Museum at sjm@stjosephmuseum.org