INTERACTIVE SCIENCE EVENT 'CELEBRA LA CIENCIA' COMES TO NEW MEXICO STATE FAIR SEPT. 16

Sept. 8, 2003

INTERACTIVE SCIENCE EVENT 'CELEBRA LA CIENCIA' COMES TO NEW MEXICO STATE FAIR SEPT. 16

"Celebra La Ciencia," an interactive science event designed for all ages, will be held at the New Mexico State Fair Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Main Street. Exhibits and hands-on science activities are among the events scheduled.

Maddie Zeigler, who is involved with grant writing and program development at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science serves as the project coordinator. "It is so important to continually expose children to science in a fun, hands-on way in order to get them 'hooked.' We want to encourage them to think about the possibilities of pursuing careers as researchers, scientists, engineers or science educators," Zeigler said.

Participating organizations include the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque Biological Park, Balloon Explorium, Explora Science Center & Children's Museum, LodeStar Astronomy Center, National Atomic Museum, New Mexico MESA, Inc., NM Museum of Natural History & Science and Rio Grande Nature Center.

The UNM School of Medicine Diagnostic and Therapeutic Science Program plans to present interactive models, diagrams and simulations to show connections between basic sciences and health sciences. Participants will learn about the power of water for preventative health care, hygiene, cellular activity and rehabilitation.

Hands-on activities will include science arts and crafts, bubble box with dry ice, optical illusions and physical demonstrations. Visitors can also fire up a hot air balloon burner, test their Mars IQ, view sunspots larger than the earth, experience chemistry with a flair/flare and see a light and electromagnetic show.

For additional information, visit www.celebralaciencia.org.

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