Mountain Science Expo 2013: Ready, Set, EXPLORE!
Join us on April 13 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm for a great day of science and fun for the whole family! 
The Mountain Science Expo 2013 theme is Citizen Science so come spend the day learning how you can get involved in your favorite science topics. This year's event will feature an expanded Experimentation Station where young visitors can practice some problem solving of their own with an introduction to the Scientific Method. We will also have special presentations from guest Dawn Cusick, author of youth and family science books such as Animal Tongues, Get the Scoop on Animal Poop, and Bug Butts. Her books are now available at The Connections Gallery; be sure bring them for a book signing! There will also be animal demonstrations from Carlton Burke of Carolina Mountain Naturalists, as well as guided nature walks with students in the Blue Ridge Naturalist program, and tours of Sol Food Mobile Farm - a retro-fitted greenhouse school bus with sustainable systems including solar panels, a green living roof, rain water collection tanks and more!
At 9:00am on Saturday April 13, R.E.A.C.H. Emergency Animal Hospital will be hosting a Dog Hike! Bring your favorite 4-legged companion and learn more about the Hazards of Hiking with Dogs. Leashes required for all dogs on property, and only service animals are permitted in buildings. Please come prepared to pick up after your pets while on the hike.
From professional scientists and naturalists, to local businesses and organizations we'll explore the active science community in our mountains and how we can be a part of it through various Citizen Science projects.
Mountain Science Expo's Schedule of Events:
10am-5pm Tour the Auditorium to visit with over 20 organizations presenting hands-on science!
11am-12pm Wildflower walk offered by the Blue Ridge Naturalists (meet at Trellis Classroom)
11am-12pm "Animal Behavior: The Best Kept Secret in Science" with author Dawn Cusick
11:30-12:30pm Native Trees walk offered by the Blue Ridge Naturalists (meet at Trellis Classroom)
12pm-1pm Aquatic Animals & Watersheds walk offered by Blue Ridge Naturalists (meet at Trellis Classroom)
12:30-2:30pm Native Animal Presentation with Carlton Burke and a Citizen Science Project Walk with staff from The North Carolina Arboretum
1pm-2pm Wildflower walk offered by the Blue Ridge Naturalists (meet at Trellis Classroom)
1:30-2:30pm Native Trees walk offered by the Blue Ridge Naturalists (meet at Trellis Classroon)
2pm-3pm Aquatic Animals & Watersheds walk offered by Blue Ridge Naturalists (meet at Trellis Classroom)
2pm-3pm "Animal Behavior: The Best-Kept Secret in Science" with author Dawn Cusick
3pm-5pm Native Animal Presentation with Carlton Burke and a Citizen Science Project walk with staff from The North Carolina Arboretum
Here's who you can expect at this year's event:
Bent Creek Experimental Forest
Bent Creek Institute & The Natural Products Alliance of North Carolina
Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate Program
Carolina Mountain Naturalists
The Colburn Earth Science Museum
Dawn Cusick
Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society
Environmental Educators of North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
NOAA's National Climatic Data Center
North Carolina Division of Air Quality
PARI - Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute
R.E.A.C.H. Regional Emergency Animal Care Hospital
Southern Appalachain Highlands Conservancy
Western North Carolina Nature Center
Wild Birds Unlimited- Asheville
To participate in this event as a vendor, sponsor or presenter, contact Michelle Pearce, Youth Education Program Coordinator.
This event is in support of the statewide NC Science Festival. For more information and a schedule of regional and statewide events, click here.
