NCEI brings science education to 2018 Mountain Science Expo
NCEI celebrates our seventh year of participation at the Mountain Science Expo, a day-long event in western North Carolina showcasing science education and awareness. This year’s Expo, “The Secret’s in the Science,” revolves around the state theme of food and drink. The Expo is a regional event of the North Carolina Science Festival, the flagship program promoting more than 650 events statewide in April.
“Mountain Science Expo is STEAM focused, so we welcome all organizations that are science, tech, engineering, art, or math focused,” says Michelle Pearce, the school and public programs coordinator at the North Carolina Arboretum, the host organization for Mountain Science Expo.
Besides NCEI, participants represent many science-related organizations, including the Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites–North Carolina (CICS-NC), a North Carolina State University organization and NCEI partner. More than 20 state, regional, and local organizations will offer hands-on demonstrations, exhibitor booths, and guided programs. Last year’s event drew about 2,400 attendees, according to organizers.
2018 Expo Details
Visit us at the NCEI booth to learn how science connects to your everyday life:
- When: Saturday, April 14, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Where: The North Carolina Arboretum
No admission is required for the event, and all ages are welcome. Parking inside the Arboretum grounds can be purchased on a per vehicle basis.
Stop by our booth in the Arboretum Education Center, where we will distribute fun materials related to bee pollination, the water cycle, cloud types, and much more. Examples of our free teacher packets for grades kindergarten through high school will be available to review and order. We’ll also give away sets of NOAA picture books and NCEI bookmarks throughout the day.
In keeping with the theme of food and drink, we’ll make available a no-cost curriculum activity about the impact of climate on bee pollination. The activity, geared toward fifth through eighth graders, focuses on developing a student’s understanding of the pollination process and different scenarios that can change pollination, which affects the production of food.
Check the day’s Schedule of Events for free Expo programs and presentations. For NOAA educational links about weather and climate, browse our handout.
Most importantly, scientists want everyone to know what they know—science is fun!
