Science in the Parks Program Announces Summer 2009 Tour

OGDEN, Utah – After two successful years, the Science in the Parks program has announced its Summer 2009 Tour, coming to an Ogden City park near you. The interactive program is intended to get children of all ages excited about science.

From June 15 through July 23, the Science in the Parks program will spend several days at each of six Ogden-area parks, and hold interactive science demonstrations from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. each weekday (except holidays). Over the course of six weeks, the program will visit Lorin Farr Park (June 15-19), Liberty Park (June 22-June 26), Monroe Park (June 29-July 2), Odyssey Elementary (July 6-10), Jaycee Park (July 13-17), and 4th Street Park (July 20-23).

The demonstrations and topics vary from day to day. Planned activities at each location will include constructing rudimentary telephones, playing with soap bubbles, and building objects with magnets, all of which engage children’s imaginations while introducing them to basic scientific concepts.

Weber State University physics professor Adam Johnston started the local Science in the Parks program in 2007 and has been involved in planning the 2009 tour. Programs like Science in the Parks are meant to pique people’s interest and understanding.

“It creates this attitude toward science – that it's for everyone and used by everyone,” Johnston said.
In addition to the science activities, children also receive lunch courtesy of the Ogden School District’s free lunch program.

Weber State University’s Ott Planetarium and Center for Science and Math Education help sponsor the outreach program in conjunction with the Ogden School District’s free lunch program. Additional funding is provided by Weber County R.A.M.P., and the Utah Families Foundation.

For more information and complete schedule of dates and parks, visit community.weber.edu/ottreach.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Author:
Angie Parkinson, office of Media Relations
801-626-7295 • angelaparkinson@weber.edu
Contact:
Adam Johnston, physics professor
801-626-7711 • ajohnston@weber.edu