STEM in the Park offers free hands-on science, math Sept. 28

STEM in the Park, a free family day of hands-on fun at Bowling Green State University, will take place from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Perry Field House. With the theme of “Go Green with STEM in the Park,” the event introduces the new ECO-ZONE, with all new Earth-centric activities – because there is no Planet B.

STEM in the Park will feature interactive displays and activities created by community partners, local businesses and area universities to engage children of all ages in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. More than 150 unique hands-on STEM activity stations will be offered, with plenty of free parking available.

“We are very excited about this year’s eco-friendly theme, as we like to have the event stay current with fresh ideas,” said Event Coordinator Jenna Pollock. “We are planting a tree on site to commemorate the 10th annual event.”

The event offers hands-on activities that allow participants to dabble in robotics, pet lizards, launch pop rockets and more. Everyone who attends the event will receive free take-home STEM materials, STEM activity ideas and nutritional snacks while supplies last.

Other activity zones back by popular demand are All Wheels, Robotics, Food Science, Digital Media, Science of Sports and H2O, which explores the science behind all of water’s amazing uses. A Roots to STEM Pre-K-2 Zone is also back this year, featuring activities that cater specifically to younger children.  

Activity station hosts include BGSU’s Construction Management and Teaching Kitchen, SSOE, Challenger Learning Center of Lake Erie West, Penta Career Center and more than 100 other institutions and organizations. 

The STEM stage will once again feature super-sized demonstrations by Imagination Station, Nature’s Nursery and the Toledo Zoo.

STEM in the Park is the brainchild of Drs. Emilio and Lena Duran, both faculty members in BGSU’s College of Education and Human Development, and seeks to increase public engagement in the STEM disciplines in a family-friendly atmosphere.   

The Northwest Ohio Center for Excellence in STEM Education at BGSU (NWO) organizes the event and maintains a commitment to increasing attendance among underrepresented students. For the sixth consecutive year, transportation will be provided for elementary students from several school districts in urban and low-income neighborhoods. More than 5,600 people attended last year’s event.

NWO is a partnership among area universities, K-12 schools and community partners with a shared mission to advance STEM education, while promoting positive attitudes toward STEM teaching and learning in the northwest region of Ohio.

STEM in the Park Presenting Sponsors for 2019 are Bowling Green State University, Lubrizol and PPG. In addition to NWO, Community Sponsors include The Andersons, Perrysburg Rotary Club, Principle Business Enterprises, SSOE and Thayer Family Dealerships. General Sponsors include Biggby Coffee, Bostdorff’s, Carolina Biological, Cooper Tires, Glass City Federal Credit Union, Matrix Technologies, Meijer, NAMSA, NWO Montessori and Wal-Mart.