Grade School

May the magnetic force be with you! From preschool to grade school, children can stop by our booth to investigate magnetism and test attraction. Sort magnetic and non-magnetic materials and observe and compare magnetic force. Use your creativity skills to design and build 3D constructions and structures with magnetic building blocks.

Neurosciences graduate students founded and organized the Neuroscience Outreach Program to share our knowledge of the brain and neuroscience research with San Diego students and community members. Throughout the year, graduate student volunteers share their enthusiasm for neuroscience by teaching introductory, hands-on activities in classrooms and at various events. Student directors are in charge of arranging outreach events in the greater San Diego area.

Since 2009 Castle Park High students, under the guidance of Dr. Robert Pomeroy of UCSD, have learned to produce biodiesel from vegetable oil. Established students from our BASG group are now teaching our new members how to complete the process of biodiesel synthesis. In addition to the synthesis of biodiesel, students use a particle counter to determine how many particles are produced during the combustion of various fuels. These data indicate how “clean” the fuel burns and how particulate impacts our global climate.

- Magnet Bridge Challenge – Test your bridge building skills as you attempt to build a bridge using only your creativity and magnetic force. -And much more!!

We will showcase the research of the USD Biology Department in an interactive and fun way.

Our booth will feature our live, non-releasable raptors. These are all local birds of prey that can be found here in San Diego and will include several different species of hawks, falcons, and owls. Guest will be given the opportunities to meet these birds in a close, personal setting while learning about their importance in the San Diego ecosystem. We will teach guests about these wonderful animals natural history, biology, and importance of conservation.

Our booth, supported by the NSF Center for Chemical Innovation in Solar Fuels, is all about solar energy and renewable fuels. We will have physical demos of solar powered fuel cells and silicon solar panels that attendees can interact with and ask questions of scientists doing research on the topics. Most importantly though, our booth will be a station where kids (and adults!) can make their own dye-sensitized solar cells using blackberry juice and other common household materials. Up to 5 people can be making a cell at once and it only takes 5 min to complete.

Hands-On Activities for children. Showcase of student work in K-8. Information on STEAM Academy/STEM Program

Zovargo’s mission is to foster human-animal connections through unique encounters and interactive educational programs that inspire conservation stewardship. All our programs allow for hands-on learning about various animals, the environment, and biology of those animals. From frogs, chameleons, birds, insects, and more – we provide education and inspiration about how everyone can become conservation stewards! We’ll be bringing up to 7 different species with us on the day of the event.