Celebrate Science, Indian River Lagoon Oct. 14 in Downtown Fort Pierce

Celebrate Science, Indian River Lagoon Oct. 14 in Downtown Fort Pierce

FORT PIERCE – Each year since 2014, the Indian River Lagoon Science Festival has given festival-goers the opportunity to explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through hands-on, minds-on activities. The Festival will return to the Treasure Coast on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free, family-friendly community celebration will take place at Veteran’s Memorial Park. The address is  600 N Indian River Drive in downtown Fort Pierce.

The Indian River Lagoon Science Festival aims to show not only the importance of science, but also how fun and exciting it can be. Dozens of exhibitors from throughout the state of Florida will have learning activities and demonstrations exploring different areas of science, including agriculture, chemistry, engineering, computer science, ecology, marine science and more!

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Identify marine plants and animals in a portable touch tank with FAU Harbor Branch
• Explore the solar system with National Geographic
• Race cockroaches with the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory
• Construct coral colonies with the Smithsonian Marine Station
• Experience St. Lucie’s Procession of the Species, a musical and colorful public expression of art and celebration of nature. Every Saturday prior to the Indian River Lagoon Science Festival guests can visit the Oxbow Eco-Center’s Advice from an Artist from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for tips on using recycled materials for their costume. For details visitwww.stlucieprocession.com.
• View exciting stage shows including the explosive chemistry of Miracle of Science and Treasure Coast Wildlife Center’s live animal show

In addition to the stage shows and exhibits, local area food trucks will be in attendance and there will be free admission at the St. Lucie County Aquarium. Free parking will be available in the Downtown Fort Pierce Parking Garage with free trolley transport to the Festival site.

STEM-focused satellite events

There are also ten STEM-focused satellite events taking place across Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin counties in the two weeks leading up to Festival day. The satellite events begin on Sept. 27 and go through Oct. 12. For more information on these events, visit the IRL Science Festival website atwww.irlsciencefest.org/satellite.

The IRL Science Festival has been made possible through funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Smithsonian Marine Station, Friends of the Smithsonian Marine Station, FAU Harbor Branch, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation’s Specialty License Plate Program, the Florida Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence, Waste Pro, Sunrise Ford, St. Lucie County, the City of Fort Pierce, and the generous support of WGYL 93.7, WJKD 99.7, WPHR 94.7, WOSN 97.1, and WTTB 1490.

Exhibitor registration

is open online until September 25 atwww.irlsciencefest.org/exhibit. The Festival is in need of volunteers ages 16 and older in many different areas. For available opportunities and to apply, visitwww.irlsciencefest.org/volunteer. For information on how individuals, groups and businesses can support this event, please contact Festival Co-Chair Jasmine Fox at 772-465-3271 or irlsciencefest@si.edu.

About

Established in 2014, the Indian River Lagoon Science Festival is a two week-long celebration. It celebrates  science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) that culminates with a large-scale community event. The festival aims to demonstrate that science is meaningful, relevant, and fun, to make science accessible to all residents of the Treasure Coast, and to highlight STEM resources in the IRL region. The Festival planning committee is made up entirely of volunteer organizers from local governments and research, education and non-profit organizations, and administrative support is largely provided by the Smithsonian Marine Station. A member of the Science Festival Alliance (www.sciencefestivals.org) since 2013, the IRL Science Festival serves as a leader in promoting science and science festivals across the state Florida. For more information about all Festival partners, sponsors, and scheduled activities, visit www.irlsciencefest.org. #IRLsciencefest

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