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N.C. Science Festival Activities Begin April 14 at Appalachian State University

April 13, 2012. BOONE — Stargazing, lectures chemistry demonstrations and a weather balloon launch are all part of the programs offered April 14-27 at Appalachian State University. 

This is the second year Appalachian has participated in the N.C. Science Festival, a statewide series of events highlighting science that runs through April 29 (www.ncsciencefestival.org).

N.C. Science Festival events at Appalachian that are open to the public are:

Saturday, April 14, 9 p.m., planet, star and galaxy viewing at Appalachian’s Dark Sky Observatory (Reservations are required by visiting www.dso.appstate.edu/NCSciFest).

Tuesday, April 17, 2 p.m., Dr. Hall Beck, Department of Psychology, “The Search for Psychology’s Lost Boy: Little Albert,” Reich College of Education Building Room 124A.

Tuesday, April 17, 6:30 p.m., Chemistry Demonstration Show, Chemistry, Astronomy and Physics Building.

Thursday, April 19, 6-8 p.m., Dr. Andy Heckert, Department of Geology, “Are Birds Really Dinosaurs? Is Archaeopteryx not a Bird Anymore?” Refreshments at 6 p.m. followed by the program at 6:30 p.m., Room 124A, Reich College of Education Building on College Street.

Friday, April 20, 11 a.m., “Why Fat Ain’t so Phat: the Benefits and Costs of Negative Body Talk,” presented by Department of Psychology professors Doris Bazzini, Lisa Curtain, Denise Martz and Courtney Rocheleau, Room 124A, Reich College of Education Building on College Street.  

Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Watauga SumoBot Competition. A competition between two robots using sensors, clever programming and innovative design. Free to spectators, $25 entry fee per team. Plemmons Student Union (www1.appstate.edu/~marland/sumosumo).

Saturday, April 21, 9 p.m., planet, star and galaxy viewing at Appalachian’s Dark Sky Observatory (Reservations are required by visiting www.dso.appstate.edu/NCSciFest).

Monday, April 23, 2-3 p.m., “ADHD: Myths, Truths, and Uncertainties,” Reich College of Education Building Room 124C. Dr. Will Canu, a licensed psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, will explain the current understanding of ADHD based on findings from empirical research.

Monday, April 23, 6-7:30 p.m., AppalAIR/CAN-DOO Science Club weather balloon launch, AppalAIR facility behind the Broyhill Events Center.

Tuesday, April 24, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., “Grow Your Own Crazy Grass-Head Friend.” This is a gardening introduction for preschool children. Children will have the opportunity to make a simple craft using soil wrapped in stockings or socks to grow a grass-headed friend. Children will take home their creations and in a few days, grassy hair begins to grow. Watauga County Public Library.

Tuesday, April 24, 6 p.m., “Critical Thinking: How to Use Science to Keep Nonsense Out of Common Sense,” presented by Dr. Chris Dickinson from the Department of Psychology, Reich College of Education Building Room 124A.

Thursday, April 26, 6-8 p.m., “Is There Meat in Our Future?,” 6-8 p.m., Dr. Marty Root, Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management. Refreshments at 6 p.m. followed by the program at 6:30 p.m. Room 124A, College of Education Building on College Street. 

Friday, April 27, 11 a.m., “Biofeedback: Applications for health and wellness,” presented by Dr. Jim Deni from the Department of Psychology, Reich College of Education Building Room 124C.

Friday, April 27, 6-8 p.m., Lorna’s Sun Bottle. Children listen to an original adventure story in which the main character, Lorna, gathers clues from forest animals to free the trapped Sun Spirit from the Sun Bottle. After listening to the story, the children become active participants and help Lorna free the Sun Spirit. By correctly recalling the order in which the clues were received and mixing solutions in the “Castle Laboratory,” the children will release the Sun Spirit back to the Kingdom of Alchemy. Suitable for children ages 4-8, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy Building Room 339.