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ESU STEM Summer Outreach includes Plant Sale, Bees, Space Journey

by Brian Osbourn

Emporia, KS (05/09/2024) — Engaging students with science and providing a fun, hands-on experience is the theme of Emporia State University's STEM Outreach initiatives kicking off the summer.

The Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center (PAROC) will host a Science Saturday event, the last of the spring semester, on Saturday, May 11, from 2 to 5 p.m. The event will feature a Native Plant Sale, where attendees can purchase plants, learn about the best plants for their spaces and discover how these plants can enhance beauty and benefit the environment. PAROC is partnering with the Kansas Grassland Heritage Foundation for the event.

The Native Lands Restoration Collaborative will provide an update on the riparian restoration work happening north of PAROC. The Native Lands talk will begin at 2 p.m., followed by GHF presentations on the basics of native plant gardening at 3 and 4 p.m. Hands-on activities and the plant sale will be available throughout the afternoon.

The event is free and open to all ages. No registration is required.

Science Saturday returns on Saturday, June 15, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., focusing on Kansas bees in a presentation titled "Buzzing with Science: Exploring Pollinators." Following a brief talk from Daphne Mayes, ESU outreach council chair and STEM outreach director, participants will be guided through the Campus Prairie and engage in a hands-on tunnel bee nesting activity. The event also includes a limited-time poster exhibit from the Smithsonian.

The event is free and open to all ages, but seating for "Buzzing with Science" is limited. Attendees should register at esuparoc.com.

Both Science Saturday events will take place at PAROC, located at 601 E 18th Ave.

The Peterson Planetarium, located in ESU's Science Hall, Room 031, will continue free shows throughout the summer. A showing of "Our Violent Planet" is scheduled for Thursday, May 16 at 4 p.m. June's show, "Chronicle of a Journey to Earth," lets viewers travel from interstellar space to Earth and beyond. "Chronicle of a Journey to Earth" will screen on Wednesday, June 5, Wednesday, June 12 and Wednesday, June 19. All shows begin at 2 p.m. and require registration at emporia.edu/planetarium.

About Emporia State University

Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its institute and seven schools: Interdisciplinary Studies, Applied Health Sciences, Business & Technology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Library and Information Management & Library and Archives, Science & Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.

As the sole public university in Kansas to be recognized as a College of Distinction for eight consecutive years, ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.

For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.

Emporia State University

Gwendolynne Larson, ESU director of media relations, (620) 341-5528, glarson1@emporia.edu

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