Batavia, Ill. — High school teachers will take science out of the textbook and put it into children’s hands at Fermilab’s annual Wonders of Science event.
“This is a wonderful and entertaining event where performers demonstrate and explain scientific principles to kids and their parents,” said Mary Jo Murphy, who has helped coordinate the show since 2001.
At 1p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26, in Wilson Hall’s Ramsey Auditorium, award-winning high school teachers will perform fast-paced demonstrations on chemical and physical phenomena. The teachers have performed portions of their act on TV shows such as “Late Show with David Letterman”, “Inside Edition” and “CBS News.”
“This is one of our most exciting events every year and we’re proud to be celebrating our 25th anniversary,” said Spencer Pasero, an education program leader at Fermilab. “Everyone has their favorite demonstration, but there is always something new and exciting to look forward to.”
This year’s performance, which will be detector themed, will feature “Weird Science,” a group of current and retired high school teachers who have been recognized locally and nationally for their ability to engage young minds. That group includes Lee Marek of the University of Illinois at Chicago (formerly of Naperville North High School), Karl Craddock of Fremd High School in Palatine, and Mike Heinz of Downers Grove North High School.
The program is designed for ages 7–12, and scout troops are welcome. Students will receive a science kit, which they can use to conduct their own experiments at home. Tickets are $4, and may be ordered using a printable registration form available at: http://eddata.fnal.gov/lasso/program_search/wos_form.html. For additional information, call (630) 840-8259, or email edreg@fnal.gov.
The mission of the Fermilab Education Office is to strengthen primary- and secondary-school education by using Fermilab resources to improve teaching and learning in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. The Education Office serves as a catalyst for improving school curricula and is a resource to schools nationwide.
Fermilab is a Department of Energy national laboratory operated under contract by the Fermi Research Alliance, LLC. The DOE Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the nation and helps ensure U.S. world leadership across a broad range of scientific disciplines.
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