From Kansas Science Festival
MANHATTAN - The Kansas Science Festival is on a mission to co-create STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) experiences that spark excitement and curiosity in learners of all ages.
“Science is part of all our lives whether we realize it or not. We hope to show science is not only occurring at academic institutions, but instead something the entire community participates in,” says Hannah VanLaanen, a medical writer based in Manhattan who serves as Treasurer of the Kansas Science Festival. “Most importantly though, we hope all who join the activities will have fun.”
The Kansas Science Festival is a street festival in Downtown Manhattan on Saturday, April 29 from 11 am to 4 pm. In comparison to last year’s inaugural event, which attracted over 800 visitors, the upcoming festival has vastly expanded, showcasing a broader array of activities.
STEAM practitioners from across the state will share what they think about and do on a daily basis through fun activities suitable for families and learners of all ages.
There will be over 140 presenters in 50 booths spread across Poyntz Ave, the County Plaza, and the Manhattan Public Library. Among other things, visitors will be able to explore a model of a Mars rover, examine hydrogels and bakery science, learn about animal tracks and cancer research, or build and take home their own microscope.The event is rounded out with music inspired by the prairies from Kaw Creek and poetry written on the spot using STEAM-related prompts from the audience. During the event, Poyntz Avenue will be closed between 3rd and 5th Streets to assure the safety of all participants and provide ample space for playing and exploring.
This year, the Kansas Science Festival also includes the Dopamine Dash, an “Amazing Race”-style event that will test your physical and mental endurance. In this family-friendly race, individual participants or teams will run or walk a 2.5-mile course from downtown Manhattan around City Park and back. While this is a timed event, it’s not just about covering the distance the fastest—participants will have to complete science puzzles along the way. The race start is at 9:30 am and participants can register through the following website: https://scienceks.org/dopamine-dash/
“We have only been able to organize such a wide array of events thanks to the generous support of the people and organizations that make up our communities”, says Michi Tobler, President of the Kansas Science Festival. “I am particularly grateful for the many STEAM practitioners that are taking the time to showcase the amazing diversity of ways Kansans learn and know about the world around us, and for the event sponsors that have contributed resources to make these events possible.”
The BioKansas Innovation Festival and Evergy are the presenting sponsors of this year’s Kansas Science Festival. A number of other sponsors and community partners—including Downtown Manhattan, the Manhattan Public Library, and Sunset Zoo—have helped to make the 2023 events a reality.
For more information or to contribute to this year's festival, visit us at https://scienceks.org.