“Science Siesta is once again being offered by the University of Illinois Extension for both boys and girls,” said Johnna Jennings, University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development Educator.  “This year we will be offering a Science Siesta event just for boys on Friday, March 13 to Saturday, March 14, and another Science Siesta just for girls on Friday, April 3 to Saturday, April 4 both at the Discovery Center Children’s Museum in Rockford,” said Jennings.  These events are open to youth in 4th to 6th grades.

“Both events will be action-packed programs that combine hands-on science, an opportunity to meet real scientists, to learn about a particular field of science and to spend an awesome night in a museum. This is an excellent program and we are excited to have the opportunity to offer it once again,” said Jennings. 

At Science Siesta the participants will interact with scientists in science career fields from throughout northern Illinois.  The scientists will share information about their background and involve the youth in activities that they might complete in their work every day.

Following the face-to-face interaction with the scientists, youth participate in hands-on activities from related to careers in science.  This year’s three workshop choices will be “Drones”, “Monarchs on the Move”, and “Rockets to the Rescue.”   These workshops will focus on the science related to careers in these fields, and participants will have fun as they become engaged in the activities.

Both events will begin with registration at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and will conclude with checkout at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.  The registration fee is $40 per participant which covers pizza, snack, breakfast, admission to the Discovery Center Children’s Museum, a t-shirt and all hands-on activities.  The University of Illinois Extension is providing this program, which is open to all boys and girls in 4th-6th grades. To register for the Boys Science Siesta individuals can go to https://go.illinois.edu/boyssciencesiesta.  The deadline of the boys’ event is February 28.  To register for the Girls Science Siesta individuals can go to https://go.illinois.edu/girlssciencesiesta.  The registration dead for the girls’ event is March 20. For additional information individuals can call the University of Illinois Extension at 815-758-8194