SCIENCE FIESTA
Weeklong celebration for all ages opens at Expo New Mexico
The New Mexico Science Fiesta is the start of a weeklong celebration of science for all ages. “We’re really excited to offer that,” said Mitchell Whittier, STEM-NM Manager at Explora and event co-producer. “Families can come out and attend for free and also park for free. We have about 70 organizations from all over the state presenting and hosting hands-on activities. Those are geared toward a family audience, so kids of all ages. They’ll be able to interact with STEM professionals and get their hands on really cool science and technology things. So a wide variety of different types of activities everything from robotics to computer science to live animals, music and art. We’re really trying to get the whole spectrum.”
The fiesta will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at Expo New Mexico. The activities continue with “The Science of Breakdancing” on Sunday, June 23, at The Dancing Turtle Studio. Attendees will learn about how the body feels the forces, acceleration and spinning momentum connected with the physics of the dance moves. “The Science of Woodworking” will be held on Tuesday, June 25, at The Dovetail Community Workshop. The basics of woodworking will be demonstrated and discussed.
“One of the great things about an event like this is it highlights the importance of science to our community,” said Allison Brody, director of STEM Education & Workforce Development at Explora.
“Science is for everyone. Science is important to how our community is, the economic function of our community, how healthy we are, our education. Science is a foundation to all of that.”
New Mexico PBS is hosting a showing of “Chasing the Moon” on Thursday, June 27, at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. The film re-imagines the race to the moon, according to Whittier. There will be three events on June 28, beginning with “The History of Post-It Notes and Other Sticky Subjects” at noon, and “Technology for the Rest of Us,” which gives guests a chance to take apart electronics for a look inside, at 5 p.m. at Office Depot on Renaissance NE. Later that day, an exclusive event for ages 12 to 19 will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Explora.
“They get to have a free exploration of Explora, but we’re also going to have our community partners facilitate some hands on activities,” Whittier said. “There’s going to be a brain room. We’re going to have an escape room and a science lab where they get to interact with professionals. We’re really excited to offer that.”
The week of events concludes with “Solar Lunch and Learn” at Positive Energy Solar. Lunch will be provided. Guests are asked to RSVP on the Explora event website.
“Kids get a chance to learn more about solar energy by playing with solar racing cars, and adults can learn a little more about how solar panels work,” Whittier said.