SALINAS, Calif. – During Family Science Day on Oct. 20, the STEM Center at Hartnell College will become a science and technology amusement park for children and their parents, with a four-hour schedule of fun and engaging learning activities.
This free event, which will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will welcome the community with a variety of hands-on opportunities for youngsters of all ages to experience and discover.
“We look forward every year to inviting families to have fun and help their children develop an awareness and interest in science,” said Joy Cowden, assistant dean for science, technology and math. “It’s great for the kids, and it’s good for our community to develop a strong science pipeline.”
All activities will be concentrated in and around Building S at the center of the Main Campus, 411 Central Ave. A free tortas lunch will be provided to the first 500 attendees, and parking is also free. A limited number of Hartnell giveaways will also go to early arrivals.
Among the highlights are live reptiles, hourly planetarium shows, makerspace, physics demonstrations, hands-on science activities and more.
Most activities will be staffed with students from Hartnell’s many clubs in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields, as well as community volunteers and staff from college laboratories.