UMES Extension 4-H STEM Festival

Budding scientists in grades K-12 can experience STEM activities like a gravity-defying levitation that will have Harry Potter fans saying “Wingardium Leviosa!” at a free event Oct. 19 at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

This demonstration, cooling a superconducting material with liquid nitrogen that will allow it to float above a magnet, is among many taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Engineering and Aviation Sciences Complex at the Princess Anne, Md. campus.

The UMES event is part of the 10th annual Maryland STEM Festival held each fall to spark an interest in STEM and related careers among science-minded youth.

Participants can also conquer an engineering challenge from NASA Wallops Flight Facility; see live reptiles and sea life from parks within the Maryland Park Service; along with sampling edible insects and learning about entomology; holding a chick and learning about poultry science; and exploring how tree rings can tell a tree’s age and their importance to the environment from departments within UMES’ School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences.

“UMES Extension works with schools, after-school programs, parks and camps throughout the year to make STEM come to life for area youth,” said 4-H STEM educator Brad Hartle, coordinator for the event. “The festival allows us to share educational opportunities and programs that our campus and community partners have to offer school-aged children and teens, as well as highlighting how they can pursue a career in the sciences.”

Registration is not required, just drop in. For more information, email amclay@umes.edu or call 410-651-7256.