Mid-America to host reception, fair

Mid-America Science Museum will host a reception for the Creative Mind exhibit today and will hold the inaugural Ouachita Mountain Regional Science and Engineering Fair on Friday.

The reception for Creative Mind, an exhibit honoring the contributions of African-American scientists and visionaries, will be from 3-5 p.m. today at the museum.

Speakers will include Joycelyn Elders, the 15th surgeon general of the United States, author and publisher Janis Kearney, Bryan McDade from the Mosaic Templars Cultural Centre, and Cheryl Batts, CEO and founder of People Helping Others Excel by Example.

Lecture topics will include the African-American history and culture of Hot Springs; the life and legacy of Maya Angelou; the Negro baseball league of Hot Springs; and how to make a difference.

Creative Mind combines materials from the National Visionary Leadership Project, the African-American History Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the Smithsonian’s new National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Arkansas Educational Television Network.

The reception will also feature performances by the Hot Springs Dance Troupe and the Hot Springs Middle School Choir.

The Ouachita Mountains Regional Science and Engineering Fair being held Friday at the museum is an official affiliate of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and has been organized to offer opportunities for students in southwest Arkansas to develop science projects and compete regionally, a news release said.

OMRSEF is meant to give students in the area an opportunity to explore scientific questions or interests they have and allow them to develop their questions independently using a formal, testable format.

“Mid-America Science Museum is privileged to have the opportunity to host the return of this regional science and engineering fair,” said Diane LaFollette, the museum’s executive director. “The scientific principles and hands-on learning opportunities definitely coincide with our mission to engage the community.”

OMRSEF competitors include high school students in grades 9-12 attending private or public schools in 11 nearby counties. Judging will take place from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, with an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. Financial awards, scholarships and travel opportunities to the state fair at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, and the International Fair in Los Angeles are among the possibilities and opportunities available for those who entered.

Sponsors for this year’s OMRSEF include the museum, UALR College of Engineering and Information Technology, Henderson State University, Dawson Education Co-Op, First 72 Cyber, and the Arkansas Department of Education.

Call 767-3461 to learn more about programs at the museum.