VSU Hosts Science Saturday Feb. 28

VALDOSTA — The College of Arts and Sciences and Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Geosciences at Valdosta State University will present Science Saturday: An Odyssey from Heaven to Earth from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 28 in Nevins Hall.

Activities include a visit to the VSU Planetarium “to explore the night sky and the marvelous celestial bodies,” a chance to use the telescopes at the VSU Observatory on the roof of Nevins Hall to do a little star hopping and learn more about comets, a “hands-on experience of the magical effects of physics,” a collection of minerals, rocks, and fossils that “contains the ancient history of … Earth,” a fun game of geography trivia, and an opportunity to design a city, shared Dr. Weimin Feng, an assistant professor of geosciences at VSU who teaches courses in landforms, geohazards, geochemistry, geostatistics, and mineralogy.

Science Saturday is supported by VSU’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Initiative and is part of an ongoing effort to inspire the next generation to want to learn more about these areas. Faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences understand that the nation’s future economic prosperity is closely linked with student success in the STEM fields. 

According to the United States Department of Education, only 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in mathematics and interested in a STEM career. President Barack Obama has called on the nation to develop, recruit, and retain 100,000 STEM teachers over the next 10 years. He has also asked colleges and universities to graduate an additional one million students with STEM majors.

Science Saturday activities are free of charge and open to the public.

The next Science Saturday will be held on March 14 and involves activities developed by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

Contact the College of Arts and Sciences at (229) 333-5699 to learn more.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/stem-education/welcome.php

http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts-sciences/physics-astronomy-geosciences/welcome.php

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.