Biology

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UCSD Neurosciences Outreach

We will have multiple interactive stations including: 1) Comparative Brain Anatomy- play a guessing game to see which brains belongs to which animal species. 2) Sheep Brain- hold preserved sheep brain and learn about parts of the mammalian brain. 3) Spiker Box- make a cockroach leg dance and learn about how your brain communicates with your muscles to guide your everyday movements. 4) EMG Module- learn how we can use electrical activity from your muscles to control a mechanical claw.

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

Sanford Burnham Prebys will be very hands-on with experiments, showing what we do in the lab, yet on lay-friendly level. We will have things for people of all ages to look at and interact with. Last year children used microscopes and peered into fish tanks to observe how DNA changes can dramatically affect the heartbeat of zebra fish—one of the most powerful model organisms used to study vertebrate biology. We will make the science exciting and interesting for all! (Exact experiments TBD).

Association for Women in Science (AWIS)

Oobleck (Non-Newtonian fluid)- Large aluminum trays filled with Oobleck (cornstarch, water, food coloring), and plastic toy animals next to the trays. Kids can poke the Oobleck with their finger or with a plastic toy. They will not be able to penetrate the Oobleck as it will behave like solid. If they slowly insert their finger or toy into the Oobleck, their finger/toy will go in easily and behave like a liquid. They can make a ball of Oobleck and then let it flow between their fingers.

The San Diego River Park Foundation

Working alongside San Diego River Park Foundation scientists, kids can conduct a bioassessment of the San Diego River by examining and sorting living aquatic invertebrates (“River Bugs”) in a sample of water collected from the San Diego River! By identifying the types of River Bugs found in our sample, kids can determine whether the River water is healthy!

National Park Service - Cabrillo National Monument

Festival participants will discover and learn about the science projects performed at Cabrillo National Monument with hands-on, inquiry-based activities that highlight our herpetofauna (reptile & amphibian) monitoring and Science Explorer's Club. Participants will take data about our native reptiles & amphibians as well as exploring other science themes (tidepool monitoring, bird monitoring, etc.).

Reptile Behavioral Training Demonstration

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2019-08-15 11:03
Many people believe that reptiles have primitive brains that are only capable of instinctive behavior. If you have ever interacted with a snake or lizard you know they are capable of much more than just instinctual behaviors. We will be answering many questions scientists are only just now posing about these fascinating, misunderstood and grossly underrated creatures! Then you will know the answers to: Are reptiles smart? Can they think and solve problems? Do they have feelings? and much more

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