Courtesy photo
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos ScienceFest saved its biggest event for last with ExpoDay Saturday, Sept. 13, featuring Quadcopter demonstrations, 3D chalk art, water rocket launches, live music, beer garden, and even a chance to win a Quadcopter drone or a robotic puppy.
ExpoDay is part of the Los Alamos ScienceFest – nine days of fun, educational demonstrations, interactive activities, art, and hands on activities for inquisitive minds of all ages, from Sept. 5–13 in Los Alamos, NM.
“If there is one day of the Los Alamos ScienceFest that simply cannot be missed, it’s ExpoDay,” said MainStreet Executive Director of Los Alamos MainStreet, Suzette Fox. “This culminating event at the end of the festival celebrates the science in everyday life with hands-on, interactive experiences where kids and adults alike can do everything from launching water rockets, to competing in the Geeky Costume Contest and so much more.”
Beginning at 11 a.m. Sept. 13 at Ashley Pond Park, ExpoDay will transform science, technology, and engineering concepts into fun, hands on ways to learn and intrigue. Festival goers will have a chance to win their very own drone – a DJU Phantom Quadcopter 1.1.1 – an unmanned aerial vehicle that can fly via remote control and allow users to capture difficult-to-photograph experiences and images with a Go-Pro camera (not included).
The drone is valued at $500 and is being given away courtesy of Los Alamos MainStreet. Registrants need to be present to win. The drawing is 2 p.m., Sept. 13 at the stage area at Ashley Pond. Entry forms can be found at the informational booths.
To get a better idea of what a Quadcopter can do, PAC 8 Community Media of Los Alamos will navigate a Phantom drone with an attached Go-Pro camera 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ashley Pond Park.
Kids also will have a chance to bring home a puppy that will never need food, water or baths, because it is a robot. The “Zoomer Interactive Puppy” barks and can learn new tricks including speaking, rolling over and shaking. Entry forms need to be filled out on ExpoDay, where the Zoomer Interactive Puppy will be given away at 2 p.m. at the stage area of Ashley Pond.
Unlike the Zoomer Interactive Puppy, real dogs would not be able to resist the fire hydrants, along Central Avenue, which have been colorfully painted by local artists as part of “A Parade of Fire Hydrants.” The public’s choice for favorite hydrants will be announced at 2 p.m. Sept. 13.
Temporary but memorable 3D chalk art by professional and amateur artists alike will be on display as part of the Sec Sandoval Chalk Walk, sponsored by the Los Alamos Arts Council and Los Alamos National Bank. Anyone can try their hand at chalk art by renting a space for only $5, where the sidewalk seconds as a canvas. Prizes will be awarded to entrants in each category, as selected by judges. Applications can be picked up at the Los Alamos Arts Council in Fuller Lodge or online at losalamosartscouncil.org.
Kids and adults alike who are interested in how airplanes work and the rules of aerodynamics can get a closer look at several home-built or restored classic airplanes and be able to meet the pilots as part of “Exploring the Science of Flight” exhibit from 9 a.m. to noon. at Los Alamos County Airport (1040 Airport Rd.) Along with hands-on demonstrations for the kids, adults can enter to win a roundtrip flight aboard New Mexico Airlines with flight service between Los Alamos and Albuquerque valued at $100.
From learning about airplane construction to discovering how structures are built, kids can engineer structures through a hands on activity using straws, tape and a geodesic dome at the “Geodesic Dome Make-a-Thon.” The workshop teaches basic engineering principles as kids create. Half hour sessions take place between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at Ashley Pond.
While the kids master engineering, parents can learn the basic principles of climate appropriate landscaping and gardening, led by master gardeners, and take a tour of the Los Alamos Demonstration Garden between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. There is no charge.
Don Quixote Distillery, Blue Heron Brewery and Tractor Brewing Company will sell beer and wine during “ScienceFest Lyrics and Libations” starting at 12:30 p.m. at Ashley Pond. Along with numerous exhibits, food vendors will be on site and the Ryan Finn Big Band will perform. DK and the Affordables will bring their energetic jazz and calypso music to the festival at 2:30 p.m. At 4:30 p.m., the Squash Blossom Boys put out a mix of old time and bluegrass music.
Even though ExpoDay ends at 3 p.m., Lyrics and Libations last until 6 pm. Festival goers also are welcome to experience an Immersive Dome and learn more about science, art and the environment until 8 p.m.
ExpoDay is designed to connect young people and families with science, technology, engineering and math. For a complete schedule and list of events on ExpoDay or throughout the Los Alamos ScienceFest, visit losalamossciencefestival.com.
