Get your spook on at the annual Spooky Science fair with the Let’s Talk Science folks at the University of Lethbridge.
We are stirring the cauldron of creativity and designing some bone-tingling, creepy experiments in the crypt, er, laboratory. Gooey, green, gross stuff is bubbling in beakers and potion ingredients, like sparkle dust, eye of newt and fairy hair, are being gathered. All is being readied for two evenings of hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities with a Halloween twist.
“We are conjuring up a playful evening filled with scientific surprises, quirky contraptions and eerie delights,” says Dr. Tegan Barry, an instructor in the Department of Biological Sciences and Spooky Science organizer. “Whether you’re a tiny trick-or-treater or a grown-up ghoul, there’s something magic waiting for you at Spooky Science.”
Our very own mad scientist, Jackson Knott (BSc ’16, MSc ’20), is busy preparing for the Spooktacular Science Show part of the event.
“I’m going to need help with the show, so I’ll be summoning up the spirit of another mad scientist,” says Knott gleefully. “I will also be magically transforming pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns, and I would be lax if I didn’t mention the puking pumpkins.”
But before the Spooktacular Science Show, children have plenty of activities to spark their interest in science, including creepy chromatography, boo bubbles, the potion parlour, mystery ink, ghost cannons and stomp rockets.
Spooky Science is ideal for children up to age eight, but all ages are welcome. Costumes that are family-friendly and without any hand props are encouraged, and children have the option to enter the costume competition. Please note that children must always be supervised by a parent or guardian.
Spooky Science will be held in the Science Commons Atrium Saturday, Oct. 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. The Spooktacular Science Show will kick off in the last half-hour of each event.
Tickets are not required, but attendance is capped at 150. The first 30 families at each event will receive a Let’s Talk Science Goody Bag.