Students get up-close view of science at Kids’ Tech U

Registration is open for the 2016 Kids' Tech University (KTU) program at BGSU. The novel science-outreach program brings children between the ages of 9 and 12 together with nationally and internationally recognized scientists who present exciting, interactive sessions — including BGSU’s Dr. Bob Midden, chemistry faculty and associate vice provost for experiential and innovative learning, and Dr. Vern Bingman, Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology.

The four-session program begins Saturday, Feb. 6, and ends Saturday, April 16, and is open to students who live within a one-hour driving distance of BGSU. To participate, children must be 9-12 years old as of Sept. 30, 2015.

There is an $80 registration fee to participate. All students will receive a KTU T-shirt.

Kids’ Tech U is designed to spark children’s interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics by introducing them to scientists who work in those fields, and providing hands-on activities that let kids explore scientific concepts.

The morning sessions feature a talk and extended question period with the invited speaker. Afternoon sessions will include a series of hands-on activities relevant to the session topic that the children can participate in with their parents.  

The four events in the 2016 program are:

Feb. 6 — “Blue Water or Green Muck: Solving One of Ohio’s Most Urgent Environmental and Economic Challenges, Harmful Algal Blooms,” with Dr. Bob Midden, a professor in the BGSU Department of Chemistry and associate vice provost for experiential and innovative learning

Feb. 27 — “How Do You Measure a Growing Plant?” with Dr. Edgar Spalding, a professor in the Department of Botany at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

March 26 — “Nature’s Navigators: The Remarkable Migratory Behavior of Birds,” with Dr. Vern Bingman, Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology at BGSU

April 16 — “Two Reasons Why Coral Reefs Exist: Microbes and Sun,” with Dr. Todd LaJeunnesse, an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Penn State University

Online registration will be limited to 150 children, and is first come, first served. 

Kids’ Tech at BGSU is directed by Dr. Paul Morris, a BGSU professor of biological sciences.