Kids invited to explore science festival demos in DeKalb
Submitted by NIU STEM Outreach
The third annual STEMfest will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday Oct. 20, at the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb.
The event provides a hands-on experience for children of all ages. Demonstrations and exhibits will focus on science, technology, engineering and math, according to NIU STEM Outreach.
STEMfest is free to the public and free parking is provided by University Relations.
According to NIU STEM Outreach, a new exhibit this year will feature activities like PBS Kids Learning Lab. This exhibit will feature activities related to popular television shows like “Dinosaur Train” and “Sid the Science Kid.”
Nearly 500 NIU students, faculty and staff will be on hand at STEMfest. Donations supporting NIU STEM Outreach’s annual community activities will be accepted.
STEMfest celebrates innovations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Northern Illinois University STEM departments, student groups, regional corporations, museums, educators, and national labs are joining forces to present hundreds of activities that range in complexity to entertain people of all ages. They hope to increase awareness of the critical role science and other STEM fields play in our world every day.
There will be hands-on activities such as navigating a laser maze; exhibitors such as NIU’s Davis Hall Observatory; demonstrations of technologies and intriguing science phenomena including the popular Creepy Chemistry and Haunted Physics Labs.
Robots from FIRST Robotics will play horse basketball with STEM attendees.
From 10:30-11 a.m. and 3:30-4 p.m., there will be “Fun with Liquid Nitrogen” by NIU STEM Outreach. For details, visit stemfest.niu.edu.