By Khalida Sarwari
Future entomologists and nature fans may want to take note: The buzz around town is that the Youth Science Institute is holding its second family fun day event on Feb. 21 at Vasona Park.
The event is an opportunity for families to explore fun science activities, crafts and experiments and meet YSI’s teaching animal ambassadors.
The theme for this year’s event is “bug-ology,” and the agenda for the day includes insect-inspired experiments, buggy crafts, up close and personal meet-and-greets with insects and games and activities by the Planet Bee Foundation.
“We’re hoping to excite people about science and learning about bug-ology and also [get people to] deepen [their] relationship with YSI,” said Julie Smith, the institute’s education director. “A lot of people are aware of us, so we’re hoping they can come and check us out and just have a fun day of learning and interactive activities.”
Kids will have a chance to engage in experiments that explore the different adaptations of insects, make crafts such as whimsical wind vanes and wearable antenna, and participate in instructor-led nature hikes to learn more about the local habitat and insects.
In between all of that, attendees will have a chance to take in a talk on “pollinators” by a guest speaker from the California Native Plant Society and sample fare from a variety of food trucks.
About 400 people attended YSI’s inaugural event last year, when the theme was “crime-solving science.” Smith said the organization plans to offer the event on an annual basis.
“This is the second annual event. We plan on maintaining that around the same time each year,” she said.
YSI is headquartered at Vasona Park in Los Gatos, with satellite programs offered at Sanborn Park in Saratoga and Alum Rock Park in San Jose. The organization serves about 30,000 K-8 school children annually through field trips and after-school programs. It also offers an extensive series of summer camps. YSI is currently accepting applications for its summer camps, which run from June through August.
The family fun day is free with park admission and open to people of all ages. It runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the YSI Nature Center at Vasona Park.
For more information about the Youth Science Institute, visit ysi-ca.org.
Link: Kids bugging you for something to do? Visit YSI’s family fun day
