Waukesha County invites residents of all ages to participate in the 3rd Annual Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Science Fest on Saturday, November 2 at Retzer Nature Center. The event will explore the numbers side of science and nature with many family-friendly activities from 1 to 4 p.m. at Retzer Nature Center located at S14W28167 Madison Street, Waukesha.
“We are excited to integrate STEM education into environmental education,” said Dale Shaver, Director of Waukesha County Parks and Land Use. “Visitors to Science Fest will be inspired and engaged while enjoying fun hands-on activities, hikes and programs throughout the afternoon.”
Waukesha County Parks and Land Use staff and Horwitz – DeRemer Planetarium staff will present programs on natural resources, water conservation, recycling, space, Earth science, wildlife, citizen science, sustainability, and more. Visitors will also be able to participate in hands-on table activities throughout the nature center.
Admission is $4 per person or $15 per family. Full event schedule available below and online at https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/sciencefest.
About the Department of Parks & Land Use
The Waukesha County Department of Parks & Land Use, working through a combination of collaboration, education and regulation is dedicated to fostering economic development, sound land use, and the protection, enhancement and enjoyment of the County’s natural resources and health of its citizens.
For more information on Waukesha County Parks and Land Use call 262-548-8300, or visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/plu.
3rd Annual Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Science Fest
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Time |
Program/Activity |
Details |
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. |
Hands-on Activities for all ages |
Learn about natural resources, water conservation, recycling, wildlife, sustainability, and more with fun and educational booths. |
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.
|
Program: “Consumption by the Numbers” |
We use a lot of finite resources. Discover the numbers behind consumption on a global scale and how you can reduce this number. We will put your knowledge to the test with an interactive waste sort activity. |
Hike: “Math in Nature” |
Discover the connections between math and nature as we hike the trails at Retzer. We will work through a variety of math concepts and find real examples in the natural world. |
|
Hike: “Water Quality by the Bugs” |
Take a hike to the stream to see what creatures we can find living there and what those creatures tell us about the water quality. |
|
Planetarium Show: “9 Planets and Counting” |
Take a tour to explore the variety of objects that populate our Solar System. Along the way, each planet is examined as well as other objects in our solar neighborhood. (Recommended for ages 8+) |
|
Program: “Citizen Science by the Numbers” |
Come learn about Waukesha County’s Wild in Waukesha: Conservation in the Parks Project and the amazing data that was collected in 2019 by our volunteer citizen scientists. Get an up close look at some of the Retzer Animal Ambassadors. |
|
2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
|
Program: “Animals by the Numbers” |
Come hear from Steve Jenkins’ book, Animals by the Numbers, and discover the unbelievable statistics from the animal world. Get an up close look at some of the Retzer Animal Ambassadors. |
Hike: “Math in Nature” |
Discover the connections between math and nature as we hike the trails at Retzer. We will work through a variety of math concepts and find real examples in the natural world. |
|
Hike: “Retzer History by the Numbers” |
Hike from the site of the old Retzer home to the Retzer Drumlin to the Vista to learn the story about how Retzer Nature Center came to be the place it is today. |
|
Planetarium Show: “Seven Wonders” |
Turn back the pages of time and witness the ancient wonders of the world as they appeared thousands of years ago. (Recommended for ages 10+) |
|
Program: “Your Watershed by the Numbers” |
Witness what runoff does to our waterways with our watershed model and be amazed at the numbers associated with runoff pollution. |
|
2:45 – 3:15 p.m.
|
Program: “Consumption by the Numbers” |
We use a lot of finite resources. Discover the numbers behind consumption on a global scale and how you can reduce this number. We will put your knowledge to the test with an interactive waste sort activity. |
Hike: “Water Quality by the Bugs” |
Take a hike to the stream to see what creatures we can find living there and what those creatures tell us about the water quality. |
|
Hike: “Retzer History by the Numbers” |
Hike from the site of the old Retzer home to the Retzer Drumlin to the Vista to learn the story about how Retzer Nature Center came to be the place it is today. |
|
Planetarium Show: “9 Planets and Counting” |
Take a tour to explore the variety of objects that populate our Solar System. Along the way, each planet is examined as well as other objects in our solar neighborhood. (Recommended for ages 8+) |
|
Program: “Citizen Science by the Numbers” |
Come learn about Waukesha County’s Wild in Waukesha: Conservation in the Parks Project and the amazing data that was collected in 2019 by our volunteer citizen scientists. Get an up close look at some of the Retzer Animal Ambassadors. |
|
3:30 – 4:00 p.m. |
Program: “Animals by the Numbers” |
Come hear from Steve Jenkins’ book, Animals by the Numbers, and discover the unbelievable statistics from the animal world. Get an up close look at some of the Retzer Animal Ambassadors. |
Planetarium Show: “Seven Wonders” |
Turn back the pages of time and witness the ancient wonders of the world as they appeared thousands of years ago. (Recommended for ages 10+) |
|
Program: “Your Watershed by the Numbers” |
Witness what runoff does to our waterways with our watershed model and be amazed at the numbers associated with runoff pollution. |