Kids get hands-on science experience with Kids Engineering Day

RICHLAND, Wash.-- For the eighth year running, Energy Northwest's Women in Nuclear chapter hosts Kids Engineering Day.

The event, being held this Saturday in West Richland, offers elementary-aged children nearly 25 hands-on activities that explore STEM concepts of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in ways that make the concepts more tangible.

Some of the activities could include a rain cloud jar, measuring the pH of typical household items, and electrical circuits.

"We had a child who came to a snap circuit activity a child a couple of years ago and his eyes just lit up," said event coordinator, Desiree Wolfgram. " He sat down and was there for at least a half hour, figuring things out-- you could see the wheels turning in his head, that he was really connecting with that on a physical basis. Because a lot of times things like electricity-- you can't see it. But when I can put it in front of them, showing them really what it does, their minds are opened and something just clicks for them and they love it."

About 300 children and their parents and caregivers took part in the event last year.

Wolfgramm says organizers are going to take whatever precautions need to be taken to operate the program, disinfecting activities as they day goes on in order to keep kids and family members safe from any illnesses.

Date: Saturday, March 14, 2020
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Place: Wiley Elementary School
2820 S. Highlands Blvd., West Richland