Grade School

Working alongside San Diego River Park Foundation scientists, kids can conduct a bioassessment of the San Diego River by examining and sorting living aquatic invertebrates (“River Bugs”) in a sample of water collected from the San Diego River! By identifying the types of River Bugs found in our sample, kids can determine whether the River water is healthy!

We will be making colorful neurons that kids can take home. We will also test their brains with some fun teaser activities such as the Stroop Task.

Tensegrity-Tension and integrity. 6 popsicle sticks, six rubber bands, six pieces of tape and 6 minutes or so and you have a GTT/MESA Tensegrity model.

Learn about ocean plastic pollution and animal anatomy! Our table will offer examples of ocean plastic pollution and visual materials related to this. Visitors will do a quick experiment to determine the type of plastic in the pollutants. For younger children, NOAA-published age-appropriate materials (coloring sheets, puzzles) will be available. In addition, we will offer human and animal models for examination, with visitors being asked to identify different anatomical regions.

Ever wonder why civil engineers use arches and triangles in the construction of large buildings, including Petco Park? Come and learn the engineering secrets behind the super strength of both arches and triangles. Perform experiments and build a simple structure of your own to take away with you!

Volunteer scientists will lead kids and community members through a hands-on wheat germ DNA extraction. At the end of the activity participants will get to take home the DNA they extracted on a necklace.

Hands on engineering demos that showcase bioengineering and innovations in diagnostics and disease therapeutics

Science Interactive booth

Festival participants will discover and learn about the science projects performed at Cabrillo National Monument with hands-on, inquiry-based activities that highlight our herpetofauna (reptile & amphibian) monitoring and Science Explorer's Club. Participants will take data about our native reptiles & amphibians as well as exploring other science themes (tidepool monitoring, bird monitoring, etc.).

Math and Logic games and puzzles