In 1824, Michael Faraday, one of the world's greatest scientists, believed that scientists should be sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with the younger generation so he began his famous Christmas Lectures for children. Faraday was probably the earliest proponent of providing science education for children. The Royal Institution in the United Kingdom has also seen the importance of science education and has continued this tradition of lectures - for 192 years.
Inspired by Michael Faraday’s vision, the Central Colorado Humanists will sponsor Salida’s own version, the Children’s Science Festival, for kids ages 6 to 13 on Dec. 23 from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Salida Scout Hut, 210 East Sackett Avenue. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Former science teacher, Greg Justis, with 35 years of experience, will be presenting the lecture/demonstration program directed toward elementary and middle school students (and their parents).
Justis has won both a national and state award for science education. He has been teaching STEM classes at the Salida Boys & Girls Club for the past seven years which have included, robotics, chemistry, rocketry, geology, and the construction of full scale size inflatable dinosaur models. Children at the club are currently studying whales and are building a 50-foot-long inflatable sperm whale.
The Dec. 23 program will honor Faraday by demonstrating and highlighting his invention of the electric motor. Students will have the opportunity to do a hands-on experiment with magnets to explore invisible magnetic fields and observe the world’s simplest electric train.
Bill Sample, an electrical engineer and Boys & Girls Club STEM volunteer, along with club kids who built the award-winning Europa Rover, will demonstrate their rover. This will be followed by a description of Jupiter’s moon Europa and why NASA has future plans to send space probes to that moon. Finally, an amazing model of Europa will also be constructed right in front of the audience.
The program will conclude with a winter time celebration of hot chocolate and cookies for participants.