Bay Area Science Festival Culminates at AT&T Park on Saturday

AT&T Park will become a science wonderland when the Bay Area Science Festival concludes with a free science extravaganza this Saturday, Nov. 3.

As the entire Bay Area revels in the magic of the San Francisco Giant’s World Series win, the second annual Bay Area Science Festival’s finale is expected to drive more than 20,000 people to AT&T Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The culmination of the largest educational event in the Bay Area also marks the first public event held at the park following the championship, adding even more to the excitement, and the desire to experience the park.

Created by the Bay Area’s scientific, cultural, and educational institutions, the Bay Area Science Festival is produced by the Science & Health Education Partnership (SEP) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and a core group of science institutions. 

This Saturday, attendees will be able to run around the bases and jump into the dugouts of the World Series winning team, while exploring the world of science. Enjoying the ball field just days after the world series win is just the icing on a non-stop program of interactive exhibits, experiments, games, and shows, that will entertain and inspire. This year’s Chevron STEM Zone will enthrall, while an entire whale skeleton will be on display as well as a 25-foot inflatable replica of a human cell.

To add to the revelry of the day, the Bay Area Science Festival is requesting that people wear their black and orange for a day of magic at AT&T park, with their favorite baseball gear, to celebrate the magic of science during this special time for San Francisco.

Last year, more than 20,000 people of all ages converged on AT&T Park on Saturday to take part in more than 200 interactive demonstrations and exhibits. UCSF was well represented offering children with hands-on activities about food as well as offering adults an chance to test the biomechanics of their bodies running.

Here is a listing of what to expect this Saturday:

Parking/Transportation

Event organizers encourage everyone to take public transportation to the event as big crowds are expected. AT&T Park is accessible by MUNI, Caltrain, and BART. For more information on public transportation options to the ballpark, check out AT&T Park’s transit page. Limited parking will be available in Lot A for $10/vehicle.

Chevron STEM Zone

“Studio C”/Technology
This exhibit is a fully-functioning television studio where attendees get to experience the technology behind a sports’ broadcast. Participants will use teleprompters, video cameras, studio lights, audio recording equipment, and green screen technology to create their own broadcast – which can then be uploaded to the YouTube channel.

“Science of Pitching”/Aerodynamics
This demonstration uses compressed air to launch a ping pong ball towards a target (a batter and a catcher’s mitt). A small patch of sand paper near the end of the cannon barrel causes the ball to spin as it leaves the barrel. Participants can observe how the spin of the ball will affect the flight of the ball toward the plate.

“Energyville”/Engineering
Four laptop computers are connected to the internet site www.energyville.com. Energyville is a game developed by the Economist Group that allows players to control the energy mix of a virtual city and to discover the economic, environmental, and security impacts of their decisions. Attendees will be able to play the game and learn more about the energy sources and demands that shape energy decisions worldwide.

“Gravity Ball Drop”/Acceleration Due to Gravity
This demonstration shows that the acceleration due to gravity affects all objects equally.  The exhibit uses an apparatus to drop five different sports balls ranging in size from a golf ball to a bowling ball, at the same time. The exhibit shows that all balls will drop at the same rate. The exhibit also shows that drag will affect the rate of fall.

Chevron Energy Solutions - The Science of Solar
Chevron invites participants to adjust and play with mini-solar panels to  capture sunlight and to power a water pump. The better the panels are angled to capture sunlight, the more solar energy is generated to power the water pump. Participants will be able to watch how much faster the water pump transfers water from one bucket to another when the mini-solar panels are angled in the right position to capture the most sunlight.

Techbridge – Design Process
Participants who come by the Techbridge booth will have an opportunity to design a prototype of a carrying device to transport grain (sand). Participants will be provided with basic materials such as recycled plastic grocery bags, cardstock, rubber bands and paper. With these materials, they will have five minutes to design the carrying structure and test it on a Barbie doll or another type of doll. This activity will highlight the engineering design process and designing for a cause.

Chabot Space & Science Center - Train Like an Astronaut
Participants will get hands-on activities that take them through astronaut training-style exercises. Participants will be able to test their balance skills and how well their brain can adapt to new conditions. Then they can watch what happens to objects seemingly are launched into space with a vacuum chamber!

MARE/Lawrence Hall of Science – Marine Activities, Resources and Education - Sand on Stage

Participants will explore sand samples from around the world with hand lenses and microscopes. By observing the color, size, and shape of sand grains, they will be able to make predictions about the beaches from which the sand came. Are waves on the beach good for surfing? What is the sand made of? How old is the sand? Participants will also be able to create and take home sand cards to share with others.

RAFT (Resource Area for Teaching)
Glove-a-phone
Combine a straw, glove and tube to make a “note” worthy sound activity.

Colors of Light
Discover the rainbow in white light with this easy to build spectroscope.

Puff Rocket
Experiment with air pressure as you propel a straw rocket with a simple squeeze.

Rollback Can
Learn about potential and kinetic energy as you roll the can and it rolls back to you!

Richmond High School, Robotics Program - Shooting Hoops with G6
Come shoot some hoops with G6! See how the robot built by the students performs on the court shooting basketballs.

Girls Inc. - Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Vehicle and HTML Coding
Girls Inc. will provide a model of an alternative vehicle energy source, and provide an explanation on how it works. Allowing the participants to examine and operate the model. Youth will learn how easy and simple HTML coding is to design a website on their own.