Waukesha Times

City of Pewaukee recently issued the following announcement.

Waukesha County invites residents of all ages to celebrate our daily connection with science, technology, engineering, art, and math at the annual Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Science Fest. Attendees will enjoy free admission on Saturday, November 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to explore, engage and discover at Retzer Environmental Learning Center located at S14W28167 Madison Street, Waukesha.

“We are thrilled to share the exciting science happening across Waukesha County,” said Dale Shaver, Director of Waukesha County Parks and Land Use. “Visitors will have the opportunity to experience how science impacts our lives and shapes our future through activities, hikes, programs and more.” 

Waukesha County staff, Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium staff, and local clubs will encourage attendees to look ‘Under the Lens’ through programs and hikes for all ages on natural resources, water conservation, recycling, space, Earth science, wildlife, citizen science, sustainability, and more. Visitors will also be able to participate in hands-on table activities throughout the learning center and view the planetarium show. Limited wristbands will be available for a finale special event by Mad Science of Milwaukee at 2:15 p.m. Attendees can pick up wristbands from the Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s table, quantities are first come, first served.

Science Fest admission is free thanks to the Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s sponsorship. The full event schedule is available below and online at www.waukeshacounty.gov/sciencefest.

 About the Department of Parks & Land Use

The Waukesha County Department of Parks & Land Use, working through a combination of collaboration, education and regulation is dedicated to fostering economic development, sound land use, and the protection, enhancement and enjoyment of the County’s natural resources and health of its citizens. For more information on Waukesha County Parks and Land Use visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/plu.

Annual Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Science Fest - Saturday, November 6, 2021

Time	Activity	Ages	Details
11 a.m.-2 p.m.	Hands-on Activities	All Ages	Learn about science throughout Waukesha County! Investigate natural resources, water conservation, recycling, wildlife, sustainability, and more with fun and educational booths.
11 a.m. or  12 p.m. or 1 p.m.	PLANETARIUM SHOW - Galileo: The Power of the Telescope	All Ages	Experience Galileo’s early experiments with gravity and the laws of motion, his advocacy of the idea that the Earth revolves around the sun, and his work with early telescopes. You’ll see how his keen observations culminated in The Starry Messenger, an early masterpiece in which Galileo described all his dazzling discoveries in a straightforward, easy to understand way.
11 a.m. or  12:30 p.m.	HIKE  Colors in Nature	Families with Kids	Join a color scavenger hunt though the Retzer Children’s Garden, prairie and forest looking for colorful flowers, plants, butterflies, birds, and insects. We will discover what these colors mean and how they help with these living things communicate.
11 a.m. or  1:15 p.m.	PROGRAM  Animal Adaptations	Families with Kids	Come meet our animal ambassadors! See how an animal’s physical and behavioral traits can help it to survive as we explore the concepts of habitat and adaptation.
11:15 a.m.	HIKE  Birds and Binoculars with the Benjamin Goss Bird Club	Adults and Ages 13+	Learn the skills necessary to view the birds of Retzer through binoculars. We will also utilize several birding apps to assist in proper identification of birds and their songs. Bring your own binoculars or a limited supply of binoculars will be available on a first come basis.
11:15 a.m.	PROGRAM  Recycling: Up Close and Personal	Adults and Ages 13+	We use a lot of finite resources. Take a closer look at consumption on a global scale and how you can reduce this number.
11:45 a.m.	HIKE  Crystal's Clean Water Adventure	Families with Kids	Join Crystal, the clean water drop, as she takes you on an adventure hike to see where water goes when it goes down the storm drain and how it gets polluted.
11:45 a.m.	PROGRAM  Under the Lens Look into Decomposition Critters	Families with Kids	Home composting has become all the rage lately. Take a closer look at the critters that help create quality compost.
12:15 p.m.	HIKE  Hikin' for Lichens	Adults and Ages 13+	Take a short walk to take a close-up look under the lens of the beautiful world of lichens. This often over-looked, unique organism composed of fungi and algae isn’t as simplistic as it looks. Hand lenses will be provided.
12:15 p.m.	PROGRAM  Caring for Wells and Septics	Adults and Ages 13+	Have a well, septic, or both? Stop by to learn more about these systems and how to care for them!
12:30 p.m.	PROGRAM  Under the Lens Look at Your Watershed	Families with Kids	We will take a close look at water’s movement in a watershed and how it becomes polluted using the watershed model.
1:15 p.m.	HIKE  Soil Ninja Certification	Adults and Ages 13+	Our entire world relies on the soil beneath us. Join us for a hike, dig in the dirt, and learn how to interpret soils scientifically. From colors, textures and chemical properties, you will become a soil ninja!
1:15 p.m.	PROGRAM  Through the Lens: Nature Photography with the Retzer Camera Club	Adults and Ages 13+	Photo opportunities surround us every day, especially in nature. We just need to stop and look closely through the lens to see them. Join the Retzer Camera Club as we explore these opportunities. Participants will need to bring their own camera for this walk and demonstration.
1:15 p.m.	HIKE  Recycle Raccoon Adventure	Families with Kids	Join Recycle Raccoon on a hike to learn about recycling and composting.  Fun stops with activities along the trail will make this an adventure!
2 p.m.  (*2:15 p.m. start time)	FINALE EVENT  "Fire and Ice" Show by Mad Science of Milwaukee, Inc.	All Ages First come, first serve. Limited seating.	Be dazzled and entertained by the Mad Scientists! This spectacular show will thrill audiences with impressive science experiments. Includes foggy dry ice storms and demonstrates how giant beach balls can float in the air. Volunteers from the audience can taste a special Mad Science "burp" potion. Be amazed by sizzling, shivering scissors and special bubbly showers.

Original source can be found here.