StormFest 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Feb. 5
6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Feb. 5 (21 Night)
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Feb. 6
Carnegie Science Center
Nearly 100 Cal U students will take part in presenting the ninth annual StormFest, set for Feb. 5-6 at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh. StormFest is a family-friendly educational event that explores geology, geography, meteorology and more. The 2016 event is hosted in part by the Southwestern Pennsylvania chapter of the American Meteorological Society (Cal U Meteorology Club) and the Department of Earth Sciences, in collaboration with Carnegie Science Center. From 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Feb. 5, school children in grades K-6 will visit Carnegie Science Center to take part in StormFest activities. StormFest is open to the general public from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Feb. 6. Participation is free with paid admission to the science center. Cal U students have designed more than 30 hands-on activities to teach children about the science behind weather and other natural phenomena. Crowd favorites include make a rock, lava lamps, rain sticks and “glurch,” a substance with both solid and liquid properties. Cal U meteorology students will staff the event, along with students majoring in geology, geographic information systems, and parks and recreation. The Alpha Phi Omega fraternity as well as volunteers from Ohio University’s meteorology club will lend a hand. Visitors on Saturday will receive a free souvenir T-shirt if they complete at least 18 activities, while supplies last. But kids aren’t the only ones who can enjoy all the StormFest fun. The science center plans a “21 Night” adult program from 6 - 10 p.m. Feb. 5. Patrons ages 21 and older will have access to all four floors of science center exhibits, including SpacePlace, SeaScape, roboworld™, the Earthquake Café, the weather station and more. A cash bar will be open, and snacks will be available for purchase. Visitors during 21 Night will also get a free souvenir T-shirt if they complete activities, while supplies last. Cost is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. In the Works Theater, Cal U students will conduct hands-on activities, such as using liquid nitrogen, Tesla coils and air cannons to explain weather effects. Guests also can step in front of the video “green screen” to see if they have what it takes to be a weather presenter.
For more information about StormFest 2016, e-mail Jensen Hufnagel, StormFest Chair, at huf2018@calu.edu