Biology

WKU’s Hardin Planetarium and more than 30 other community partners will offer a carnival of science at the SKy Science Festival Expo Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (April 28) at Bowling Green’s Circus Square Park, 601 State St.

Free of charge and open to everyone, the Expo Day will provide dozens of opportunities for families to explore hands-on STEM activities, interact with exhibitors and science experts, enjoy music, food, games and more throughout Circus Square Park. The event will be held rain or shine.

During this day of science and fun, volunteers from Hardin Planetarium will offer hands-on investigations to help reveal the energy hidden in sunlight. Local astronomers will have telescopes set up to allow viewing of our Sun. Participants can explore electricity with the Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation (WRECC) and have the opportunity to be part of an activity turning their body into a component of a battery. Lost River Cave Nature Center and Mammoth Cave National Park will each have multiple interactive displays to help participants better understand the natural webs of energy, resources and life throughout or region of Kentucky.

Further explorations of the science around us in our everyday life will include the Western Kentucky Raptor Center’s interactions with owls and falcons, sustainable gardening with Project Grow, and the chance to put out simulated home fires with the Bowling Green Fire Department.

The Expo Day performance stage features musical acts and flamboyant science demonstrations. Visiting from Louisville’s Kentucky Science Center, the stage performances of “Ion Jones” will be shared throughout the day, as well as other explosive science moments to engage the young at heart.

Multiple food trucks have will be parked along Center Street, between Circus Square Park and SKyPac, offering meals, snacks and treats during the festival.

Hardin Planetarium’s Ronn Kistler said everyone will enjoy SKy Science Festival Expo Day. “There are no barriers to sharing the thrill of science,” he said. “SKySci Fest was founded so all people can realize science and technology are really just a walk in the park.”

Contact: Hardin Planetarium, (270) 745-4044