Students observe the process of sublimation (solid
changing
to a gas). Dry ice produces carbon dioxide
blowing up the bag like a balloon. Do you think this
scientist can pop the plastic bag?
You Can’t Squeeze Water! Learning the properties of
water by “shortening the fuse” with dry ice and liquid
water. What happens to the lid of the container when
water takes up space from the expanding gas?
Students act as a glacier by dragging ice through sand.
They create lateral moraines, terminal moraines, as well
as learn the various shapes glaciers can carve.
Students understand how to identify glacial evidence
around Lake Tahoe.
Snow Science! Students experience how to take a snow core sample with researchers from NRCS. The core is analyzed to determine climate cycles, weather patterns, and atmospheric deposition.
Science Expo
UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC), Lake Tahoe School, and Sierra Nevada College hosted the fourth annual Science Expo on February 26 and 27 as part of the North Lake Tahoe and Truckee SnowFest.
The theme of this year’s event was “Snow, Water, Ice, and Earth,” featuring interactive science experiments and demonstrations for kids ages 8 to 12 and their families. In addition, there was also a special focus on weather and climate change.
The 2009 Science Expo showcased dozens of hands-on exhibits, activities and demonstrations including:
- Snow-survival skills
- Science of water
- Liquid nitrogen and dry-ice demonstrations
- Tabletop earthquakes
- 3-D visualization
Interest in the event has grown tremendously. Last year, nearly 900 people, both students and parents, came through the Science Expo event. This year, the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation has supported the collaborative event with grant funding to allow event planners to expand and improve upon the event with additional exhibits and activities.
Students from Kings Beach, Incline Village, South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City attended during the school day on February 26 and 27. High school students participating in the Youth Science Institute had an opportunity to develop experiments to share with the younger students in the community. Other partners such as Great Basin Outdoor School, IVGID Waste Not, Tahoe Rim Trail, Red Cross, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships offered up some of their activities, experiments, or demonstrations. UC Davis Americorps volunteers and docents could also be found staffing some of the stations.
“The 2009 Science Expo is truly a collaborative community effort,” said Heather Segale, education and outreach coordinator for the UC Davis TERC.
The Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences is located at 291 Country Club Drive in Incline Village (between Tahoe Boulevard/SR 28 and Lakeshore).
For more information please contact Heather Segale, education and outreach coordinator at (775) 881-7562.
Volunteers Needed
Please contact Heather Segale at (775) 881-7562 if you are interested in volunteering for the Science Expo.
Science Expo 2008
The collaborative group also hosted the third annual Science Expo on March 5 in 2008. The event took place at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences (TCES) with nearly 900 attendees over a two day period. The TCES facility provides the perfect setting including use of teaching laboratories, a 3-D visualization theater, and other educational tools.
Comments from visiting students:
- “It was so cool. I liked it all so much!”
- “I liked to learn about the shape of the valley glaciers make.”
- “I learned in ice that when matter changes from a solid directly into a gas it is called sublimation.”
- “I also learned that water sticks to everything including itself.”
- “I can’t wait until next year. Thanks again for making last Wednesday so much fun.”
Future Science Expo Event Planning Underway
Planning for future Science Expo events are already underway. The event will again correspond with the North Lake Tahoe Snowfest! that occurs within the first week of March. Each year, new experiments are presented and the Science Expo has been such a tremendous success that space is already filling for future years.
Teachers are encouraged to schedule early as a limited number of tour dates and times are available.
Activities and demonstrations are most suitable for 4th – 8th grade students.