Environment

Fun hands-on chemistry activities for kids of all ages. Put together by the scientists from the NSF Centers for Chemical Innovation these activities demonstrate a range of chemical phenomena in robust ways using everyday items to make the chemistry concepts accessible to audiences of all different ages.

San Diego is an amazing place and it allows us to journey from our rich coastline to the mountains and from ancient forests to the rugged desert wilderness. Join the Nat as we jump into activities focused on our own backyard wilderness. We’ll explore native plants, animals that co-exist in our urban spaces and want we can do to help with conservation in this place we call home.

The City's Ocean Monitoring Program will be discussing the health of the ocean environment off both Pt. Loma and Imperial Beach. We will have preserved marine specimens available for viewing as well as videos showing our work at sea and the animals we encounter.

Hands-on interaction with live reptiles and arthropods.

The Herpetology Hop- Audience will act as Herpetologist as they circulate through our interactive installation where they will identify a set of reptiles/amphibians indigenous to San Diego. Our installation will be composed of painted murals, not live animals.

The Sally Ride Science Academy offers fascinating and fun STEAM workshops for students entering grades 3 through 12. Our online and in-person workshops let students investigate coding, acting, space science, marine biology and more, as they immerse themselves in hands-on projects. Top-notch STEAM instructors incorporate real-life stories of vibrant women conducting research in each field inspiring students and making STEAM careers more accessible.

Wonderful Wetlands! Did you know that wetlands are found worldwide and are among the richest habitats, just as rich as a tropical rainforest? Meet scientists from the Tijuana Estuary, discover wetland critters, dig through a mudflat, see the kind of science wetland biologists do, and discover why wetlands are important for YOU and for wildlife

Since 2009 Castle Park High students, with Dr. Pomeroy of UCSD, have learned to produce biodiesel from vegetable oil. Our booth demonstrates the step-by-step process of biodiesel synthesis, discusses the advantages of biodiesel over petroleum and outlines the ease of production. Our booth includes CAICE researchers who provide demonstrations concerning climate change and atmospheric chemistry. We also partner with Algenesis who demonstrate biodegradable materials that mimic plastics and foams.