Grade School

An interactive solar-powered model train demonstration will take place. Visitors can observe the strength of solar power by observing the speed the model train is capable of running solely powered by the sun's energy. Then they can interact with the exhibit and test different ways to make the model train slow down in speed and eventually figure out how to make the model train completely come to a stop.

Magnolia Science Academy is a STEAM-focused charter school serving 6th-8th grade students in San Diego. Our students experience STEAM every day in their classrooms and they are very excited to share this experience with the community. MSA Steam Ambassadors will share: - a variety of short, hands-on science demos. - explain the science behind each demonstrations. - help guests understand how STEAM is part of everyday life and accessible to all.

Our booth with features scientists, engineers and educators representing NASA's Dawn mission to asteroid Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres, the exciting New Horizons mission to Pluto, the Juno mission to Jupiter, Earth science, and a team from San Diego's Malin Space Science Systems that provides the amazing images from the Curiosity rover on Mars. We will feature hands-on activities and engaging displays.

Interactive booth with displays on human anatomy (take-apart torso), preserved animal specimens, quizzes on animals.

We will offer hands-on activities about Water pollution prevention and conservation. Watershed model, water conservation demonstration, and trash science!

Our booth will include interactive STEAM projects designed by our students. Also, we will hand outs and freebies to promote enrollment in our STEAM program.

Project Cornerstone’s booth will educate children and parents about the importance of local construction aggregates (i.e., sand, gravel and crushed stone) used in building materials like concrete and asphalt products, and how it plays an integral role in their daily lives. Visitors to the booth will get a lesson on the science of concrete and will make their own concrete projects using sand, gravel, cement and water.

May the magnetic force be with you! From preschool to grade school, children can stop by our booth to investigate magnetism and test attraction. Sort magnetic and non-magnetic materials and observe and compare magnetic force. Use your creativity skills to design and build 3D constructions and structures with magnetic building blocks.

Neurosciences graduate students founded and organized the Neuroscience Outreach Program to share our knowledge of the brain and neuroscience research with San Diego students and community members. Throughout the year, graduate student volunteers share their enthusiasm for neuroscience by teaching introductory, hands-on activities in classrooms and at various events. Student directors are in charge of arranging outreach events in the greater San Diego area.

Since 2009 Castle Park High students, under the guidance of Dr. Robert Pomeroy of UCSD, have learned to produce biodiesel from vegetable oil. Established students from our BASG group are now teaching our new members how to complete the process of biodiesel synthesis. In addition to the synthesis of biodiesel, students use a particle counter to determine how many particles are produced during the combustion of various fuels. These data indicate how “clean” the fuel burns and how particulate impacts our global climate.