2005
On April 21, ScienceFest 2005 expanded the knowledge of 4th and 5th grade Oklahoma students. ScienceFest was a day of interactive science and environmental activities involving close to 5,000 students from around the state. The event was comprised of 27 activity stations and a Fins and Feathers Show for the classes to attend. Fins and Feathers was specially scripted to accomplish the ScienceFest mission.

ScienceFest was designed to promote scientific diversity. Activity stations represented many disciplines of science such as biodiversity, environmental, and physics. Examples of alternative fueled vehicles were also on location for the students to view. The event provided opportunity for the students to be exposed to science in a fun and different setting. One teacher stated, “ Our students very much enjoyed the day, and experienced and learned much more about our environment than they would have in the classroom.”

Twenty agencies and organizations were represented by and provided content for the activity stations. “All of the booths were very informative and run by friendly and professional people,” reported a ScienceFest attendee. For six hours the activity stations hosted groups of students and presented instruction and information on their specific topic.

ScienceFest is a positive contribution to the environmental education of Oklahoma’s students. By exposing them to the arena of science, we not only enhance their awareness of science and possibly stimulate some to pursue careers in science, we also help them be better citizens and stewards of the environment.