Biology

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Ocean Exploration with Birch Aquarium at Scripps

Guests will explore the ocean and play with phenomena, science, and nature through hands-on activities at the aquarium. Each day, floor programs will focus on one ocean-related topic including plankton, diversity of whales, and fish buoyancy. Guests will have fun engaging in these hands-on activities and learning about how they can connect understanding to protecting our ocean planet.

Boz Institute

1. Transform the agave plant into a DNA sequence and explore biodiversity of closely related plants. 2. Tiny translucent worms may hold answers to human health and longevity. Observe them under the microscope and find out why. 3. Sea urchins and fish have much in common with humans. Observe egg fertilization and early embryo development of purple urchin and zebrafish. 4. Gender differences affect decision making. Identify female and male fruit flies and learn why they scientists study them.

Brain Dissection Workshop!

Have you ever peered inside a brain? Ever touched a brain? Dissect a brain with scientists from San Diego State University's Brain Development Imaging Labs. Kids (ages 4-12 years) are welcome to join us as we learn about the parts of the brain, how it works, and even tease our own brains with optical illusions. Kids will be divided into two groups (younger kids and older kids) led by a brain scientist so that they can learn brain science in language they can understand. Parents can learn about exciting research that the Brain Development Imaging Labs is conducting.

ZOOper Hero Animals

Color-changing chameleons? High-jumping wild cats? A pandemonium of parrots? Put on your cape and mask and join Zovargo in learning all about some extraordinary super-hero creatures! Meet animals up close and learn how each species is important in the animal world.

intrexon - Better DNA Company

Intrexon Corporation (NASDAQ: XON) is Powering the Bioindustrial Revolution with Better DNA™ to create biologically-based products that improve the quality of life and the health of the planet. Intrexon’s integrated technology suite provides its partners across diverse markets with industrial-scale design and development of complex biological systems delivering unprecedented control, quality, function, and performance of living cells. We call our synthetic biology approach Better DNA®.

Clean Water Warriors

Explore nature nestled right in the heart of Mission Valley! This special event will include lots of opportunities for kids to practice hands-on science, learn about nearby nature, and share their new knowledge with the community. Kids will get to skim for plankton samples and analyze them, collect river water samples and test the water quality, and go on a guided nature walk along the San Diego River! This hands-on learning opportunity is a great way for the whole family to get outdoors and get to know our region’s namesake waterway!

League of Extradordinary Scientists and Enginneers and J Craig Venter Institute

In the “Making Waves” tour, kids and adults will be introduced to marine plankton and encouraged to think critically about what makes them unique and important in providing much of our oxygen and key players at the base of the marine food web. This event will include the JCVI Mobile BioLab, a modified motor coach, outfitted with advanced laboratory equipment. We will have multiple types of microscopes onboard enabling participants to visualize the microscopic work of marine phytoplankton.

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It takes true community spirit and engagement to build a successful Festival Week and momentum to support ongoing programs. Our mission is to provide meaningful year-round STEAM experiences for youth and adults alike in San Diego, and throughout the state of CA through our virtual platform.

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