OREGON — “Science Siesta is once again being offered this year 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 16 to Saturday, March 17, and another Science Siesta just for girls on Friday, April 13 to Saturday, April 14 both at the Discovery Center Children’s Museum in Rockford,” said Jennings.  
Both of these events are open to youth in fourth to sixth 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 activities based on the “Wonderwise” curriculum developed by the University of Nebraska.  This curriculum highlights the work of scientists and then translates their work into hands-on science based activities, which are fun and engaging. Participants may choose one of three workshop tracks for breakout sessions. Their choices for this year include activities from “African Plant Explorer,” “Sea Otter Biologist” and “Pollen Detective.”        
Both events will begin with registration at 5 p.m. on Friday and will conclude with checkout at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.  The registration fee is $40 per participant. The registration fee 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 fourth, fifth and sixth grades.
For additional information, as well as to register for Science Siesta go to the University of Illinois Extension website at go.illinois.edu/ScienceSiesta2018 or call (815) 758-8194.