News Flash

Explosive science demonstrations, hands-on activities, short films and lectures, and even acrobatics. People of all ages can experience and enjoy all of these and more as the Roswell Museum and Art Center, in collaboration with area educational, science and cultural organizations, presents the Roswell Science and Art Festival Saturday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside the museum and on 11^th Street. This free event will present a fun-filled day of science and art opportunities to engage the community and inspire the next generation of creative thinkers.

Special guest Dr. Kate Biberdorf, known as “Kate the Chemist,” will be headlining the festival with a performance at 11 a.m. on the outdoor stage. Biberdorf is a Ph.D chemist who loves to ignite things, including sparking opportunities for young people. Born and raised in Kalamazoo, Mich., she is currently a chemistry lecturer and the director of Demonstrations and Outreach for the University of Texas at Austin. She is known for developing explosive demonstrations that excite undergraduate chemistry students. She is also often found at local Austin schools, promoting science education with her outreach program “Fun with Chemistry.”

Biberdorf is highly motivated to inspire students of all ages to pursue a degree in the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and is dedicated to promoting women in science. Her work has been featured on national news programs such as NBC Nightly News, CNN’s Great Big Story, Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet, and she was recently on CBS’s Late Night with Stephen Colbert. She is also a featured member of Amy Poehler's Smart Girls. Founded by artist Amy Poehler and producer Meredith Walker, Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls organization is dedicated to helping young people “cultivate their authentic selves.”

Science centers Explora of Albuquerque and Science Spectrum of Lubbock, Texas, will be at the festival showcasing popular demonstrations and presentations from their community outreach programs. Lt. Col. Dr. Mia Yang, science instructor at New Mexico Military Institute, accompanied by dozens of cadets, will facilitate a variety of science activities. The award-winning Santa Fe performance troupe, Wise Fool New Mexico, will roam the event and excite the crowds with colorful, acrobatic feats. Santa Fe Improv will provide hour-long improv workshops for kids ages 10-15 inspired by science (pre-registration required, call 575-624-6744). Additional participating groups include the Fractal Foundation, the Miniatures and Curious Collections Museum, Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, New Mexico State University, Roswell Film Festival, Goddard High School’s Engineering Program, the Girl Scouts, several state and federal agencies, and others.

The event is generously funded by Xcel Energy and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation through the Science Festival Alliance. For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.roswellmuseum.org and click on the Events tab. In the event of rain, an alternative location for Kate the Chemist’s performance will be announced on Facebook and the museum’s home page. The remainder of the event will take place at the museum and on 11^th Street, rain or shine.