Hundreds of people gathered at the Reichardt Building at the University of Alaska Fairbanks for the first Science Potpourri in five years. The event, organized by the UAF mathematics and natural sciences department, featured more than a dozen science-themed activities where attendees learned about various topics such as air quality, dinosaur fossils, and volcanic eruptions. One of the activities allowed kids to design their own lunar bases using Legos.
Malinda Vanloo, a student assistant at the museum, emphasized the importance of space exploration for future generations. She stated that “Space is everything” and that children are increasingly branching into this new horizon. Vanloo highlighted that it’s essential for kids to have an understanding of space as it’s the future and will play a crucial role in shaping our world.
Gracie Banister attended the event with her two daughters and expressed her excitement about seeing the interesting research being conducted at UAF. She emphasized the importance of exposing children to the wonders of science, fostering their imagination and creativity. Despite all the engaging activities, Banister’s daughters said that the highlight of the event was the liquid nitrogen ice cream. This unique method of making ice cream involves using a metal container frozen to temperatures over 300 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. The Science Potpourri event was a great opportunity for the community to come together and engage with the fascinating world of science in a fun and interactive way.
