University Days Offers Invigorating, Hands-On Science Education

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Rhys Thomas spins glass bowls as part of his Science Circus performance. Thomas will perform his show at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Arkansas Union Theatre. The shows are free and open to the public, but groups of more than 10 people are asked to e-mail lhehr@uark.edu to reserve places.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Researchers and staff in laboratories at the University of Arkansas will welcome students and teachers of science, math and technology during University Days on Feb. 13 at the Fayetteville campus.

Also as part of University Days 2009, Rhys Thomas of Portland, Ore., will give a performance of Science Circus for the public at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Arkansas Union Theatre. The performance is free. Thomas is a former middle school teacher who has performed his unusual show across America and has appeared on worldwide television.

Thomas tosses a bowling ball, spins glass bowls, balances a rose on his nose and otherwise manipulates objects ranging from feathers and spoons to swords and Chinese yoyos while helping audiences appreciate the laws of physics, including gyroscopic stability, gravity and inertia.

Groups of more than 10 people, including school groups, planning to attend one of the Science Circus performances are asked to contact Lynne H. Hehr at lhehr@uark.edu to reserve places.

Sponsored annually by the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, the College of Engineering, the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and Health Professions, the Center for Mathematics and Science Education, the Arkansas NASA Educator Resource Center and the Northwest Partner of the Arkansas Discovery Network, this annual program seeks to stimulate science education in northwest Arkansas classrooms by offering instruction and hands-on experiences.

Teams of two students and one teacher from home, private and public area schools attend the free event and select three separate sessions of interest from numerous science, mathematics and technology choices; experience science, mathematics and technology activities for appropriate grade levels; and are provided an internationally known guest scientist presentation, this year the show by Thomas.

“One reason University Days has become such an annual success is that students and teachers from around the state have the opportunity to interact with faculty in creative and novel approaches to math and science education,” said Hehr, director of the Center for Math and Science Education. “Students and teachers view windows into the future of science, math and technology as they participate in a day of hands-on laboratory activities using state-of-the-art equipment and technology. We offer students the chance to experience the relevance of science, and we offer teachers new ideas and techniques to use in their classrooms.”

University Days 2009 requires prior registration. Activities are planned for grades 7-12. For more information, visit http://www.uark.edu/~k12info/student/UDAY/index.html.