Sparking an interest in science-related careers is one of the goals of a science festival at the University of South Carolina Aiken Oct. 9.
“Our area has so many science and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) related careers. We need an educated workforce,” said John Hutchens, director of special programs at USCA’s Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, about the 36th annual Science Education Enrichment Day STEM Festival which will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the university campus.
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After a virtual S.E.E.D. event last year, Hutchens said they have planned an in-person one for this year with some changes.
He expects fewer presenters at S.E.E.D. Some are unable to attend because of their organization’s COVID-19 guidelines.
With the exception of programs that cannot be moved, such as the special shows at the DuPont Planetarium, everything will be outside.
Hutchens said S.E.E.D. is unlike any other area event. While it’s open to all ages, programming is geared to children in the fourth through eighth grades.
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“Imagine getting up close with honeybees, petting an alligator, learning how to make a rain garden, investigating a carnivorous plant, driving a championship robot or virtually traveling through outer space,” he said. “Guests will be able to do just that at S.E.E.D.”
More than 30 hands-on exhibits and activities will be part of the festival. Exhibitors include the Astronomy Club of Augusta, Cold Creek Nurseries, American Nuclear Society, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions and Aiken County Emergency Medical Services.
The live animals are always a popular draw as well as the robotics demonstrations, he said.
Most areas of science are covered in the festival. Exhibitors will talk about forensics, horticulture, biology, chemistry, geology and more.
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Some favorite exhibitors, including the Savannah River Ecology Lab, will be absent this year, but the animals from the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center will be on site. A new exhibitor is the Savannah River Site Museum.
With the exception of the planetarium shows, the event is free.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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