Biology

Pipette Art: Participants will learn how to use the micro pipette to measure liquids in 50ul to 100ul increments, and learn the importance of this technique in science labs. Multiple liquid samples will be colored by food coloring. They can either measure unto laminated plates or filter paper to make artful patterns which they could take home as bookmarks.

UCSD BMES will create a model of the cardiovascular system for SDFSE 2023. We will use a system of clear tubing along with red colored water and clear orbeez to simulate the major arteries of the system and red blood cells. We will connect this system to a manual pump for the user to interact with. With each pump, LED lights connected to an arduino will indicate heart rate, blood oxygenation, and fluid flow.

UCSD BEGS will present 2 bioengineering demos at SDFSE 2023. The first demo showcases engineering design principles in the form of brainstorming, designing, and building a bacteriophage that will “attack” a bacteria of their choosing. The second demo will focus on tissue properties and structures as it relates to creating solutions for problems in human health. Students will replicate different tissue layers with common household items for bone, skin, and cardiac tissue.

See what lives under the water and how the food web weaves a story of the San Diego River ecosystem. From dragonfly to bobcat, each animal plays an important role in keeping the river healthy. Make masks and pins of animals that all take part in the creating a river that supports an abundance of life. Create an eco-edible bird feeder that is climate neutral and forest-friendly.

We will review how your body develops immunity with antibodies. Visitors will cut out paper antibodies to discuss how they relate to COVID-19 and vaccines. Visitors will construct a replica of a virus to explain the structure of viruses like COVID-19. Separately, we will bring a prepared petri dish sealed with bacteria expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) contained in a dark box. Visitors will shine a UV flashlight on the dish to see the bacteria glow. We will discuss GFP and immunology.

Magnolia Science Academy is a California Distinguished School. MSA is a public, charter STEAM focused middle school serving San Diego since 2005. Our student ambassadors and teachers will be engaging guests through several hands-on, interactive science experiments/activities such as elephant toothpaste, biome diorama, chemical reaction experiments and molecule sticks. In addition to hands-on science activities, we will also provide our guests with cool, interactive art and math activities.

EIS will be partnering with Science Delivered to offer fun, engaging, hands-on activities for children. We will have paper helicopters for children to make and take home. We will have items to demonstrate and represent different STEM fields, such as blocks for engineering, preserved marine specimens, simple chemical reactions, a drone on display, etc.

prize wheel, hands on paper activities

San Diego is an amazing place and it allows us to journey from our rich coastline to the mountains and from ancient forests to the rugged desert wilderness. Join the Nat as we jump into activities focused on our own backyard wilderness. We’ll explore native plants, animals that co-exist in our urban spaces and want we can do to help with conservation in this place we call home.