DENVER―The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the region’s leading resource for informal science education, is proud to host its annual Space Day and Urban Advantage Science Celebrations on Saturday, May 10.

“We’re excited to host Space Day and the Urban Advantage Science Celebration,” said George Sparks, Denver Museum of Nature & Science president and CEO. “We strive to ignite our community’s passion for science, and programs like these are a wonderful opportunity to invite visitors into the Museum and cultivate scientific curiosity.”

Space Day

As part of the Museum’s Space Day celebration, visitors will have the opportunity to experience a full day of special programs and activities free with admission, including hands-on activities, presentations, and Q&A sessions with space industry professionals. Special Space Day programs will include:

• A tour of the universe in Gates Planetarium by Denver Museum of Nature & Science Space Sciences Curator Dr. KaChun Yu.
• Sun observation through solar telescopes with members of the Denver Astronomical Society on hand to share their expertise (weather permitting).
• A Maya Astronomy presentation from the Denver Astronomical Society.
• A presentation on the mechanics of a rocket launch given by United Launch Alliance.
• A spacecraft design activity using gumdrops facilitated by Sierra Nevada.
• Presentations on solar system exploration from Lockheed Martin.
• A discussion about exploring Mars in Gates Planetarium by Denver Museum of Nature & Science Space Sciences Curator Dr. Steve Lee.
• A presentation on exploring the Earth from space given by Surrey Satellite Technology

Urban Advantage Science Celebration

The Urban Advantage Science Celebration, which will run concurrently with Space Day, is the capstone event of the program and will allow more than 200 seventh grade students to present their inquiry-based science projects to their peers, families and guests from science-based corporations and organizations.

Urban Advantage Metro Denver launched in 2010 to improve science literacy among urban middle-school science students. The program provides teachers and students with resources to help students think and explore like scientists.  Participants are 7th grade students from Denver, Aurora, and Adams 14 public schools.

This event is structured much like a science fair with students writing proposals for acceptance to the conference.

About the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain Region’s leading resource for informal science education. Our mission is to be catalyst and ignite the community’s passion for nature and science. The Museum envisions an empowered community that loves, understands, and protects our natural world. As such, a variety of engaging exhibits, discussions and activities help Museum visitors celebrate and understand the wonders of Colorado, Earth, and the universe. The Museum is located at 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO, 80205. To learn more about the Museum, visit dmns.org, or call 303-370-6000. Many of the Museum’s educational programs and exhibits are made possible in part by the citizens of the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District. Connect with the Museum on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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