The Nebraska Science Festival, presented by UNMC, will return in April, with a myriad of science and technology-related activities and the popular, hands-on public science expo.
Launched in 2012 by UNMC, the monthlong festival spans the state and includes something for every age and interest. Throughout the month of April, participants will discover the importance of science and how it is intertwined in people’s daily lives.
Activities will be promoted on the NESciFest website, as well as on X (@NESciFest), Facebook (NE SciFest) and Instagram (@NESciFest).
Among this year’s SciFest highlights:
- Public Science Expo at The Durham Museum: The free public expo will be April 18 from 9 a.m. to noon. UNMC faculty, staff and students are encouraged to provide a hands-on, kid-friendly science booth at the free science expo. There is no charge to participate.
- Art contest: Discover the intersection of art and science in this year’s art contest. Participants can create (draw, paint, glue, sculpt) artwork that reflects the spirit of Nebraska’s weather and will be entered to win an NESciFest swag package.
- Essay contest: Back again is the SciFest Essay Contest for anyone age 19 and younger who lives in Nebraska and is enrolled in a public, private or home school. To enter, draft a 150- to 1,000-word response to: If you could use artificial intelligence to help the world, what would you use it for and why? Winners receive a swag bag of NE SciFest goodies.
- Science Sundays – Stop by the Gene Leahy Mall, 1208 Farnam St., and, while supplies last, participate in (or take home) a science project designed for kindergarten through fourth grade. The SciFest team will be located near the mall’s giant slides on Sundays between 1 and 2 p.m. (except for Easter Sunday, April 5).
- Walk to the Moon Challenge: NESciFest is challenging everyone in Nebraska to show their love of science by participating in a 30-day exercise challenge that collectively will take them to the moon. The challenge will start April 1 and end on April 30. Any type of exercise will count (miles, minutes or steps), and all exercise will be converted into steps for the challenge. The challenge is to collectively cover 238,855 miles, or 477,710,000 steps.
- SciFest Flavor of the Month: Love ice cream? Throughout April, eCreamery again will sell a SciFest Flavor of the Month. Watch for details.
The Nebraska Science Festival is a collaboration of organizations and individuals interested in the advancement of science literacy. In addition to UNMC, other sponsors, to date, are Omaha Public Schools Foundation and media sponsor KETV. If you are interested in participating at the expo or hosting an event during the festival, email Kacie Baum in UNMC Strategic Communications.