Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Check out the 2012 Seattle Science Festival

By Sandy Howard, communication manager, Environmental Assessment Program

As Seattle marks the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, the Department of Ecology is joining along with our region's schools, universities, cultural institutions, research centers and businesses to celebrate the importance of science and technology in the 2012 Seattle Science Festival, which kicks off this weekend.

The 2012 Seattle Science Festival will be the region's first large-scale, community-wide celebration of science and technology that will bring hands-on exhibits, shows, demonstrations and performances to venues throughout the Pacific Northwest. All events will provide experiences that educate, engage and inspire an interest in science and technology and stimulate imagination and innovation.

Science Expo Day

As one part of the festival, this Saturday is Science Expo Day. It's a large-scale, family-friendly event at the Seattle Center campus. It will feature more than 150 interactive exhibits, stage performances and demonstrations.

Ecology’s Environmental Assessment Program will host a booth there. We’ll have an Enviro-Scape model available for a hands-on experience with seeing how pollution moves through and affects a watershed.

In addition, we’ll have a laptop with the ability to access real-time freshwater and marine water quality data. We hope you can stop by and learn about the health of the waters in your neighborhood.

Expo visitors will also have the opportunity to find out their pollution prevention personality profile by taking an online quiz.

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have recently been the focus of increased concern over their effects on the environment. A poster describing information about PPCPs will be displayed at our booth. We hope it generates interest and discussion for all ages.

Science Festival Week

Another piece of the festivities is Science Festival Week, June 3-10. The week offers programming including lectures, workshops, exhibits and behind-the-scenes tours that will take place at collaborator's locations throughout the region.

Science Luminaries Series

Lastly, Science Luminaries Series offers five multidisciplinary, high-profile evening events featuring "rock stars" of science, technology and engineering. This will be held throughout the month of June at locations throughout the city.

We hope to see you there! For full event details visit www.seattlesciencefestival.org/

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