Enjoy a day of bison, birds and bugs while learning about science and fun things to do outside at Fermilab’s Family Outdoor Fair on Sunday afternoon, June 10, 2012.
Families and scout troops can drop by anytime between 1 and 4 p.m. to explore a dozen hands-on activities that highlight the plant and animal life found on the 6,800-acre site of the Batavia physics laboratory, designated a National Environmental Research Park by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Children can make animal print tracks, net pond critters, take a nature scavenger hunt on a trail through the prairie and dig through decaying logs for insects. They can view the laboratory’s bison herd, hear about its history and use a stop watch to see if they can run faster than these 1,500-pound beasts.
The program is designed for first through seventh grade students. The event is free and will take place rain or shine. No registration is required.
The observation and measurement skills that children learn at the fair can be used all summer to continue exploring the world around them in backyards, parks and forest preserves.
"We want to show parents and their children that science is everywhere," said Sue Sheehan, Fermilab Education Office.
For the fourth year in a row, the Northern Illinois Raptor Rehabilitation and Education Center and local raptor trainers will bring about a dozen live hawks, falcons and owls as well as a collection of bird bones, droppings, feathers and hunting gear.
For additional information, call or e-mail edreg@fnal.gov.
About Fermilab:
Fermilab is a Department of Energy national laboratory operated under contract by the Fermi Research Alliance, LLC. The DOE Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the nation and helps ensure U.S. world leadership across a broad range of scientific disciplines.
