WSU brings interactive arts, science activities to Ogden parks this summer
OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University’s free outreach programs, Arts in the Parks and Science in the Parks, will visit three Ogden locations throughout June.
These programs offer opportunities for children to explore science, visual arts, and performing arts through interactive, hands-on activities.
Arts in the Parks and Science in the Parks coincide with Ogden School District’s free summer lunch program, scheduled from noon to 1 p.m.
“By providing simple and engaging projects that children can recreate at home, Arts in the Parks helps extend arts education beyond the program itself and into everyday family life,” said Alexis Kiedaisch, marketing and outreach manager for WSU’s Department of Visual Art & Design.
Daily themes and activities for Arts in the Parks are Mondays, visual arts; Tuesdays, literary arts with storytelling by Rachel Hedman; Wednesdays, dance and drum circle with Deja Mitchell; Thursdays, theater with a puppet show by Alan Griffin; and Fridays, music.
Dates and locations for Arts in the Parks: 
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June 1–5 at Lorin Farr Park (769 Canyon Road)
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No activities on Tuesday, June 2
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June 8–12 at Monroe Park (850 30th St.)
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June 16–19 at West Ogden Park (751 W. 24th St.)
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No activities on Monday, June 15
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Dates and locations for Science in the Parks:
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June 1–4 at West Ogden Park (751 W. 24th St.)
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June 8–11 at Lorin Farr Park (769 Canyon Road)
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June 16–19 at Monroe Park (850 30th St.)
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No activities on Monday, June 15
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“Science in the Parks is a really meaningful program to me because it engages kids, volunteers, and our own staff and students in playful science in a different setting from how we stereotype STEM work,” said Adam Johnston, WSU physics professor. “Showing people that we can all participate in scientific questions and pursuits in lots of different ways — messy, funny, inquisitive, informal — is really important.”
Daily themes at Science in the Parks include see and hear it, build it, move it, and feel it. Johnston said these themes help guide how participants are invited to engage in science and activities.
“Since developing this program years ago, I've found that it influences my own teaching and scientific work in profound ways,” Johnston said. “Children inspire me as they notice and wonder about things that are really deep, and I'm excited to have our staff and volunteers experience this as well.”
Elva Mora, Marketing & Communications
- Contact:
Rachel Badali, Public Relations Director
801-626-7948, rachelbadali@weber.edu