U of I hosts free Vandal Science Day Nov. 2

MOSCOW, Idaho — University of Idaho’s College of Science will host Vandal Science Day from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, on the Moscow campus.

The free, public event invites participants of all ages to experience hands-on science, with a focus on high school students, their families and school groups. College of Science faculty members and students will lead more than 25 activities and demonstrations highlighting research and scientific disciplines across the college. Attendees may stay for the entire day or drop in as their schedules allow.

The day will begin with a presentation on NASA’s Dragonfly mission to Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, and U of I’s role in the mission. Dragonfly is scheduled to launch in 2028 to investigate whether Titan has conditions suitable for life and how its chemistry could help scientists understand the origins of life on Earth.

Jason Barnes, a professor and chair of the Department of Physics and deputy principal investigator for NASA’s Dragonfly mission, will give the presentation at 9:30 a.m. in the Administration Building Auditorium.

Hands-on science activities and demonstration tables will be available throughout the Integrated Research and Innovation Center (IRIC) between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Activities will explore fossils, earth and environmental science, biology, mathematics, medical sciences and more. Participants can learn about fossil plants, view prehistoric shark fossils and related art and watch a 10-minute excerpt from “Snail Hunters,” a documentary highlighting U of I evolutionary biology research in the Galápagos Islands.

The Idaho Museum of Natural History at University of Idaho in McClure Hall and the Mines Building will also offer opportunities for visitors to explore natural history exhibits.

Prizes and a free pizza lunch will be available, along with an opportunity to make ice cream using liquid nitrogen while supplies last.

For event information and registration, visit go.uidaho.edu/vandal-science-day. Questions can be directed to Amy Kingston, director of student services at amykingston@uidaho.edu.

Prospective students can learn more about the College of Science and apply for admission at uidaho.edu/science.

Media contact

Amy Kingston
Director of student services and stakeholder engagement
208-885-7918
amykingston@uidaho.edu