Danforth Center’s Youngest Investigators Visit the Center for Family Science Night

Budding Plant Scientists Have Fun Learning About Serious Science!

On Friday, October 19, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center Society of Fellows (SOF) hosted Family Science Night for Danforth Center employees and their children. With activities tailored to a variety of age groups, SOF members organize and staff this learning adventure with hands-on opportunities for budding young scientists to relate science to everyday life and gain exposure to “cool” aspects of plant science.

Investigators-in-training aged 5 to 12 gained worked with Danforth Center scientists at activity stations exposing them to topics including plant tissue culture, phototropism, acids/bases, and microscopy. Younger children were able to observe these activities with their parents and participate in plant art activities.

"Family Science Night is always popular, but this year’s event drew a record-breaking crowd,” noted SOF Education Coordinator and key event organizer Michelle Kim. “Kids loved the activities and parents commented that it was well-organized.”

“My children absolutely loved learning more about plant science and some of the technology used to study it. The hands-on activities really got them engaged with what they were learning. I also found it fascinating and learned a few things myself!”

 -         Jim Leary

“My daughter especially enjoyed the chemistry demonstration, but the 3D images from the microscope and the microscopes themselves were a close second.”

-         Cindy Trembley

“My son told me he enjoyed the evening very much and got some real-life experience with science. He’s expecting to participate if Family Science Night happens again!”

-         Baichen Zhang