The College of Science at California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State), held its fifth annual Science Day on Feb. 13, an event that provides education and fun to the youth of The Central Valley. 
The departments and organizations that make up The College of Science came together to plan a day full of educational activities for kids and their families that showcase the department’s great work to the community.
Dr. Mark A. Grobner (Interim Dean of The Colleges of Science) works hard throughout the year with the Science Day board to make sure the event is a success for the college and the community.
“Science Day takes a lot of planning, in fact planning for next year’s Science Day will begin tonight after the event has ended,” Dr. Grobner said. “We advertise at the schools around campus to bring in the community and showcase the college.”
Science Day was held in The Naraghi Hall of Science and Science 1 building, and included activities outside the buildings and in the Greenhouse.
Inside were stations that engaged kids and their families with hands-on science games and activities. Some of the bigger activities and exhibits included: a light wave exhibit, an endangered critters room, a chemistry of fireworks show, a forensic science crime scene investigation, a plant and seeds exhibit was held in the Greenhouse, and a CPR learning station.
With so many great exhibits and activities, Science Day offered many students in the College of Science the option to volunteer and reach out to the community.
Sunpreet Kaur (Biology, sophomore) enjoyed volunteering as a greeter her first year at Stan State and didn’t hesitate to sign up for the same position for this year’s Science Day.
“Freshman year I found out about Science Day and volunteered as a greeter and I really like the program so I was looking forward to being part of the event again this year,” Kaur said.
Parents get to enjoy a science day free of charge and full of fun alongside their kids. For Liz Ashman and Mica Nitschke, bringing their kids to this year’s Science Day was a no brainer.
“This is my first time bringing my daughter to Science Day and I absolutely love it and I am glad she is loving the event and enjoyed the chemistry of fireworks show,” Ashman said.
“This is our fourth year coming and we love coming every year, my son just loves the planetarium show and this year the plant exhibit is his favorite,” Nitschke said. 
Among the different science departments who were part of Science Day, Turlock Irrigation District and PG&E were also present at the event to interact with the kids and their families about the environmental work both companies do for the Turlock community.
The event also featured Thomas Jefferson, a 17 year old tortoise that has been part of Science Day since its second year, couldn’t miss this year’s event and was there to educate kids about his species and entertain the guests.
The College of Science will also host Science Saturdays throughout the semester, which are events focused on a single field of science that provides a day of learning and fun for the community. Parents and community members should keep and eye out for upcoming Science Saturdays happening this semester.
Dates for all the College of Science’s events can be found on their online calendar.