12th Annual Math and Science Fun Day Scheduled at Five Points West Library

Science should always be interactive, interesting and unforgettable. When Elinor and Winfield Burks are in the mix, it usually is. Make plans to join them and others for the 12th Annual Summer Math and Science Day in partnership with the Birmingham Public Library. The event takes place Saturday, July 27, 2013, 1:00–5:00 p.m., at the Five Points West Regional Library located at 4812 Avenue W. This event is free and designed for students ages 5 to 105. Parents must accompany all participants.

“Science is Corny” is this year’s theme and activities will explore methods by which plants become food and other common necessities. Children can roam among the various exhibits and explore hands-on science experiments. This year, attendees will experience such tasks as baking bread from flour ground from wheat, concocting an African black soap-based shampoo, tasting parts of unusual plants, and calculating how many plants can fit in a garden plot.

“Kids today do not know where things come from—simple things like bread. This year, we’re going to break it down,” explains Lawson State Community College Math Professor Dr. Preston Scarber, Co-Chair of the event. Guest presenters will include Dr. Allison Grizzle, Alabama Teacher of the Year; Brenda Russell, Keep Birmingham Beautiful; Mary Jones, Greater Birmingham Ministries; Gene Norman, CBS42-TV Meteorologist; and pizza twirlers from the Mellow Mushroom restaurant.

“We expect that the children will be encouraged and motivated for the new school year,” said Dr. Scarber. “This will be a good opportunity to network with professionals and meet presenters who can encourage their interest in science careers.” Families are encouraged to attend together—parents are asked to remain with students and not drop them off. Activities will cover agriculture, biology, botany, chemistry, nutrition, the environment and mathematics—the “queen of science.”

For additional information about the program, please call (205) 786-3731.

Elinor Burks explaining an experiment.

Winfield Burks demonstrating how science can be fun.

Some teens getting hands-on with an experiment.