The College of Science and Mathematics and the Department of Physics, Astronomy, Geosciences, and Engineering Technology at Valdosta State University present Science Saturday: Adventures on Earth and Into Space from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 8 in Nevins Hall.
 
Community children of all ages are invited to take advantage of this fun-filled and educational opportunity. Activities include Magic of Nature: Physics in Action; Cooking up a Comet; Ancient Treasures, Minerals, Rocks, and Fossils; Funtronics; Traveling the World: A Geography Game; Getting Ready to Star Hop; and Urban Planner of the Day. Attendees will also have a chance to view a Planetarium show and tour on-campus laboratories.
 
Science Saturday is supported by VSU’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Initiative and is part of an ongoing effort to inspire the next generation to want to learn more about these areas. Faculty in the College of Science and Mathematics understand that the nation’s future economic prosperity is closely linked with student success in the STEM fields.
 
“All young people should be prepared to think deeply and to think well so that they have the chance to become the innovators, educators, researchers, and leaders who can solve the most pressing challenges facing our nation and our world, both today and tomorrow,” according to the United States Department of Education.

Educators across the nation and at VSU are committed to improving STEM instruction for students in preschool through 12th grade, increasing and sustaining public and youth engagement with STEM, improving the STEM experience for undergraduate students at the college level, better serving groups historically underrepresented in the STEM fields, and designing graduate education for tomorrow’s STEM workforce.
 
Science Saturday activities are free of charge and open to the public. Parking is available along Georgia Avenue (between Patterson Street and Oak Street) and across from VSU’s Main Campus entrance on Patterson Street. Some parking may be available in front of Nevins Hall.