Science comes alive in new Sisters event

The Sisters Science Club wants to enlighten the community about the science being taught in Sisters schools and promote science and engineering as a career choice.

As part of that effort, the club is sponsoring the first Sisters Science Symposium (S3) on February 25, from noon to 5 p.m. at Sisters High School.

The interactive S3 event includes a student project showcase, demonstrations in science, a SciArt contest, a competition called Design-Construct-Compete, and a world-renowned keynote speaker.

Attendees are encouraged to participate in the activities.

The SciArt Contest brings together Sisters' bountiful artistic talent and science by challenging Sisters students, K-12, to draw, paint or take a photo that represents the "Art of Science." Students are encouraged to expand their imaginations from insects to sunsets, a microscope to a telescope.

Student Project Showcase, Demonstrations in Science and the SciArt Contest will be set up in the high school foyer from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The participative displays also include brain teaser puzzles from OMSI, displays from OSU/4H, a Kidz Science table from Sisters Park & Recreation District and displays designed by Sisters Science Club members.

An open competition called Design-Construct-Compete (DCC) is a challenge for students and community members to use their innovative skills and design a device to accurately launch a tennis ball on a parabolic path toward a target. Teams will continue to compete as the target is moved to progressively greater distances.

The contest will be held in the high school gymnasium from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. so participants and spectators can all enjoy the competition.

Finishing the afternoon is keynote speaker Beverly Torok-Storb of the Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle.

She will speak about "Stem Cells: Controversies and Resolutions" in the high school auditorium from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.

Through her research in bone marrow transplants, Torok-Storb began focusing on identifying the signals that control stem cell fates. The results of these studies will make it possible to control stem cells after transplantation to ensure good graft function.

To find out more about S3, visit the Sisters Science Club website at www.sistersscienceclub.org.