Live music, interactive exhibits, a farmers market, face painting, and NASA - the perfect Saturday afternoon made possible by Science in the Park, a collaborative effort between Union City and Hayward communities, schools, and city groups to be held Oct. 1.
Science in the Park is a “reawakening” of the Union City Science, Earth, and Health Festival, an event started in 1997 by Richard Valle, event chairman and CEO of Tri-CED Community Recycling.
The festival had a 10 year run, took a break, and has been reinvented for 2011 as Science In the Park. The “park” in question being Alden Oliver Sports Park, 2580 Eden Park Place, appropriately located near the border of Hayward and Union City on Hesperian Blvd.
“The event is now a collaborative effort between Union City and Hayward communities, schools, and city groups,” according to Michael Ritchie, Media Relations for Science In the Park.
Teachers from both New Haven Unified and Hayward Unified School Districts will host more than 40 different interactive, science-centric exhibits.
NASA will be on hand with spacey surprises and one can expect much more than your stuffy science fair of yesteryear.
“There will be interactive/hands on activities, science experiments, rocket launches, magic, health screenings, roving entertainment, an egg drop contest, environmental exhibits, face painting, roving entertainment, farmer’s market, animal demonstrations/talks, music and lots more fun stuff!” said Valle, summing up the event.
Beyond simply being a show-and-tell type of day, Science In the Park invites you to take part in many of the day's activities including the egg drop challenge. The object of this is to release a raw egg encased in a protective container of creation from a 60 foot drop (courtesy of a fire truck ladder) and see how it holds up. Visit the Egg Drop Challenge website for details. Beginning at 12 p.m., this event is reserved for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Science in the Park is a community event powered by a large group of volunteers and donations from local businesses including Tri-CED Community Recycling, PG&E, and Safeway, according to Ritchie.
More than 40 volunteers have been working diligently over the past year to plan and prepare for the event, sponsor proceeds from which (beyond expenses) will benefit the Hayward Education Foundation and the New Haven Schools Foundation.
In addition to local businesses and organizations, a number of dignitaries have been invited to the scientific soiree including: Alameda County Supervisor Nadia Lockyer and members from the Hayward City Council; the Union City City Council; H.A.R.D. Board of Directors; New Haven School Board; Hayward School Board; and Fire Chiefs from Hayward and Alameda County.
So, why science of all subjects?
“Part of the non-profit mission of Tri-CED is to provide education information about a healthy, sustainable planet and demystify the world of science for kids. Tri-CED created and sponsored the event as a way to bring community, educational, civic, and business groups together to support families,” said Valle of his science fair turned interactive, educational festival.
For more information on the numerous activities, performances, and displays, visit the Science In the Park website or phone 510-471-3850 and ask for “Science in the Park”.
