Fermilab will showcase area teachers' best science experiments

Children can learn about science from award-winning high school teachers at Fermilab's 21st annual Wonders of Science event from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday at Fermilab at Kirk Road and Pine Street in Batavia.

High school teachers who have been recognized locally and nationally will perform fast-paced demonstrations on chemical and physical phenomena.

Portions of previous events have appeared on TV shows such as the "The Late Show With David Letterman" and "CBS News," according to Spencer Pasero, an education program leader at Fermilab.

"The teachers who come to present to the children and their families are high-energy educators who enjoy teaching science through demonstrations, talking and telling jokes," Pasero said. "They really appreciate the science behind the demonstration. It's a lot of learning, but it's also a whole lot of fun."

This year's performance, which will have a magnetism theme, will feature a group of current and retired high school teachers, including Lee Marek of the University of Illinois at Chicago (formerly of Naperville North High School), Tom Redig of Downers Grove North High School and Karl Craddock, of Fremd High School in Palatine.

The program is designed for ages 7 to 12. Scout troops are welcome.

Students will receive a packet of magnetism experiments and supplies, which they can use to replicate the experiments at home.

Tickets are $4 and can be ordered using a form from http://ed.fnal.gov/.

For additional information, contact Nancy Lanning at lanning@fnal.gov or call (630) 840-5588.

Fermilab is a Department of Energy Office of Science national laboratory operated under contract by the Fermi Research Alliance.