Registration opens for BGSU’s Kids’ Tech University

Young scientists work with real scientists answering real science questions

Why do some people need glasses and others don't? Are there planets orbiting around stars other than the Sun and could they harbor life? Kids' Tech University at Bowling Green State University is designed to let kids explore scientific concepts through hands-on activities as they discover more about the world and nature.

A semester-long research program for children ages 9-12, Kids' Tech is presented by real scientists answering real questions. Aimed at area families, the program is made up of four sessions in February, March and April. Each day includes a morning interactive session with faculty followed by an afternoon of related learning activities. An online component continues students' engagement after the campus activities have been completed.

The semester kicks off Feb. 15 with "The Amazing Eye," presented by Dr. Mile Brujic, a doctor of optometry with Premier Vision Group in Bowling Green. Participants will learn how the eye works and how we see the world.

On Feb. 22, Dr. Kevin Neves, assistant teaching professor of biological sciences at BGSU, will present "There's Something Fishy Going on Around Here." With more than 25,000 different species of fish in the world, this session will focus on the remarkable adaptations that fish possess. The afternoon activities will include a tour and explanation of the fish diversity in the BGSU Marine Lab, hands-on fish dissections, and a tour of the university's aquaponics lab. Students will learn where food comes from and how we can ensure that food production, particularly seafood, is sustainable and healthy.

"The Search for Exoplanets" will be presented March 28. Dr. Andrew Layden, professor and chair of the BGSU Department of Physics and Astronomy will discuss the history of exoplanet searches and think about how it has shaped human views about alien life. Students will think about different types of stars and how some may be better or worse for hosting life on the exoplanets that orbit them. Layden will share the wonder of the universe, the joy of observing with telescopes and the possibility of making astronomy a career.

The final session for the semester will be April 18, when Beth Posta, curator of behavioral husbandry at the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium, https://www.toledozoo.org/ presents "A Wild Time at the Zoo: Adventures in Environmental Enrichment." Participants will learn how animal care in the zoo involves enrichment activities that encourage natural behaviors, present puzzles and challenges to solve and give the animals choices of how to spend their days. They will explore a variety of enrichment strategies and look at the day in the life through the animals' eyes.

Kids' Tech is open to all children age 9-12 (by Sept. 30, 2019) who live within an hour of BGSU. There is a $30 registration fee to participate; scholarships are available. All students will receive a lunch card and a T-shirt.

Online enrollment

Kids' Tech at BGSU, directed by Dr. Paul Morris, a professor of biology, is designed to help prepare the future workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by sparking children's interest in those fields.