“For several years now there has been a Science Siesta aimed just for girls, but no longer is that the case for the 2017 year,” said Johnna Jennings, University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development Educator. “This year we will be offering a Science Siesta event just for boys in 4th-6th grades on Friday, March 10 to Saturday, March 11, and it will be held at the Discovery Center Children’s Museum in Rockford,” said Jennings.
“Science Siesta for Boys will be an action-packed program that combines hands-on science, an opportunity to meet real scientists, to learn about a particular field of science and to spend an awesome night in a museum. This is our first time offering this event for just boys, and we are excited to have the opportunity,” said Jennings. “Our female participants should not worry as we will still be offering Science Siesta for Girls, but that program is not scheduled to take place until April 21 & 22.”
At Science Siesta for Boys, the participants will interact with scientists in science career fields from throughout northern Illinois. The scientists will share information about their background and involve the boys in activities much like they complete in their work every day.
Following the face-to-face interaction with the scientists, youth participate in activities based on the “Wonderwise” curriculum developed by the University of Nebraska. This curriculum highlights the work of scientists and then translates their work into hands-on science based activities, which are fun and engaging. Participants may choose one of three workshop tracks for breakout sessions. Their choices for this year include activities from “Vet Detective”. “Parasite Sleuth” and “Urban Ecologist”.
This event will begin with registration at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 10 and will conclude with checkout at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 11. The registration fee is $40 per participant. The registration fee covers pizza, snack, and breakfast, admission to the Discovery Center Children’s Museum, and all hands-on activities. The University of Illinois Extension is providing this program, which is open to all boys in 4th-6th grades. For additional information, as well as to register for Science Siesta for Boys, go to the University of Illinois Extension website at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/bdo/ or call (815) 758-8194.