Family Science Day

Overview

Family Science & Astronomy Festival + Makerspace
Saturday, September 28, 2024, 1 pm - 11 pm
Science Building 36, Library Building 9, and Theatre Building 3

CSM's Family Science & Astronomy Festival + Makerspace brings the wonders of science to our community! Future scientists-in-the-making are welcomed to campus to participate in fun makerspace activities, watch Chef Ed make comets, visit fascinating biology, chemistry, geology, math, and physics stations for hands-on demos hosted by CSM instructors and staff, attend our live keynote speaker presentation, stargaze with astronomy faculty, and more!

Science Workshops, Planetarium Shows: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Keynote Lecture: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the College of San Mateo Theatre
Doors open at 7:00 pm. Lecture at 7:30 pm. Lunar Landing Sites: Past and Future
Reception: 8:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Theatre Lobby
Astronomical Observation: 9:15 pm to 11:00 pm
CSM Rooftop Observatory, CSM Science Building (Building 36)
Facilitators: Darryl Stanford and Justin Stevick

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Brian Day is the staff scientist for NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI). His duties in this role include serving as SSERVI’s lead for lunar and planetary mapping and modeling. He is the science lead for NASA’s Solar System Treks family of data visualization and analysis portals. He also serves as a member of NASA’s speakers bureau, giving presentations on NASA space science and exploration to audiences of all ages. He has participated in numerous terrestrial analog studies, working in extreme environments on Earth that simulate some aspects of the Moon and Mars. He previously served as education and public outreach lead for both the LCROSS and LADEE robotic lunar missions. In 2007, he flew on NASA’s Aurigid MAC mission to examine fragments of Comet Kiess entering Earth’s upper atmosphere as a meteor shower.

Lunar Landing Sites: Past and Future
As we look back on the discoveries of the Apollo program, now more than fifty years ago, and stand on the verge of a new generation of lunar exploration through the Artemis Program, it is appropriate to reflect upon the sites chosen for lunar exploration. In this talk, we will look back at the Apollo landing sites, examine why they were chosen, and discuss what we learned from them. We will then look ahead to sites that have been identified for upcoming lunar exploration, both human and robotic. These sites each offer fascinating and compelling reasons for exploration. They will help answer key questions about the Moon and its history. Many will also facilitate a sustained human presence on the Moon. The presentation will feature data gathered from many different instruments aboard a variety of spacecraft and made available through NASA’s Moon Trek online data visualization and analysis portal. The presentation will include an overview of using the portal so that audience members can follow and even become direct participants in this exciting new era of lunar exploration.

Science Workshops

All science workshops are open from 1 to 5 and Walk-In (anytime), unless otherwise indicated.

Presenter(s)	Workshop	Activities	Location
Alex Wong	Phabulous Physics	Sparks fly as we discover phenomena of electricity, magnetism, light, and motion.	36-114
Katryn Wiese	Earth Rocks! Let’s explore it.	Explore a variety of maps, rocks, minerals, and fossils and discover what they tell us about Earth's past, present, and future	36-119
Theresa Martin & Javier Silva	Interactive Anatomy Museum	Come and explore the amazing world of human anatomy and physiology through hands-on activities and by observing displays with models and real human organs. Immerse yourself in our one-of-a-kind museum that focuses on human anatomy. Enjoy interactive displays showcasing detailed models and real human organs.	36-217
Catherine Ciesla & Kevin Sibucao	Color Awesome	Color Awesome is a workshop showing you fun experiments you can do with everyday household items. You’ll be able to experience making your own slime, see the magic in milk, make cool colorful patterns with chromatography, and see the rainbow effect with acids and bases.	36-223
Kathy Diamond, Shradha Lad, Huy Tran	Biology Hands-On Museum	The Biology Hands-On Museum is a fun interactive exhibit in which you can build and take home a virus model, learn about native plants, see some interesting animals, and discover the hidden world of cells and guess what you see! We hope you can join us for an afternoon of exploration!	36-200
Fire Science, Christy Baird	A Day in the Life of a Firefighter	Who doesn't love firefighters? Come see the College of San Mateo Fire Technology students in action as they demonstrate their skills! Learn some fire safety tips and what being a firefighter on a call is like. You can even join the CSM firefighter cadets to squirt some water. 3 to 4 p.m.	Plaza of the Sun
SMCAS, Ed Pieret & Loki Ingalls	Comet Chef	The Comet Chef will make a miniature of a comet’s nucleus using common household materials. The demonstration will take about 5-10 minutes and is designed to fit in-between Planetarium Shows.	Planetarium Patio
SMCAS, Ed Pieret & Loki Ingalls	Making craters	Use flour and coco to simulate the formation of craters like on the Moon	Planetarium Patio
SMCAS, Ed Pieret & Loki Ingalls	Solar System Model	The Solar System Model will comprise a scale model of the inner Solar System. It will demonstrate the vast distances between and the tiny size of planets relative to a one-meter Sun.	36, Bridge Toward library
SMCAS Ken Lum	The Sun	Telescopic observation of the Sun	36 Bridge
SMCAS, Ed Ching	Know your Stars	Construct your own planisphere	36-112
SMCAS, Marion Weiler	How Telescopes Work	How do telescopes gather and manipulate light to bring distant and dim astronomical objects such as the moon, planets, and galaxies into clear focus for our viewing? Interactive demonstration and learning about how telescopes work.	36, 1st floor lobby
KIPAC Xinnan Du	Build Your Own Pulsar	Build and take home a pulsar model made of LED lights and play-doh! Join us and learn how these compact objects form in the Universe and why they are interesting to study.	36-109

Makerspace Workshops

All Makerspace workshops are open from 1 to 5 and Walk-In (anytime), unless otherwise indicated.

Presenter(s)	Workshop	Activities	Location
Jordan Yee	3D Printing	Check out our 3D printers in action! They’re fascinating & can produce practical things like tools & fun things like your favorite characters.	Library Makerspace
Jason Yap	Fun with Lasers	Everyone likes lasers! Our machines cut custom images & shapes into wood or acrylic. (Starts at 2:00 pm)	Library Makerspace
Tun Thiri May	Face Painting	Join us for some colorific face painting fun in the Makerspace.	Library Makerspace
Huda Shuhaiber & Theresa Vigilia	Light-Up Mini Planets	Paint your own perfect planet any way you like, install a small light & let it shine!	Library Classroom 9-207
Alexis Rose	Vintage Typewriters	Try our vintage typewriters to write a note, poem, or maybe the great American novel!	Library Main FL
Kate Cin	Make Your Own Buttons	Want to spice up an outfit, backpack, or bag? It’s quick & easy to make a custom button!	Library Main FL
CSM Library & Makerspace Team	Fun Stations: Jumbo Jenga, Coloring, & Legos	Maybe your brain has worked enough this week & you just want to have fun? If so, come check out our fun stations!	Library Main FL