Students To Learn the truth about what they eat at fall SciTech Days Event at Carnegie Science Center

workshop on food debuts, along with several new programs

PITTSBURGH — Why are organic fruits and vegetables healthier than those sprayed with pesticides and other chemicals? What role does DNA play in crime scene investigation? What are the biological and ecological effects of oil spills? More than 3,200 students will learn answers to these questions and more during Carnegie Science Center’s fall SciTech Days to take place Nov. 9–12.

SciTech Days, a four-day event held each spring and fall, features dozens of programs and workshops, offerings for gifted and advanced students, and a myriad of opportunities to interact with professionals in the fields of biotech, nanotech, infotech, engineering, environmental technology, advanced materials, and robotics. Middle school days are Nov. 9 and 10, and high school days are Nov. 11 and 12. During their trip to the Science Center, students embark on a whirlwind “tour de science,” stopping at tables, participating in hands-on activities, and getting passports stamped as they make their way through the Tech Zone.

New workshops include Vibrant Oceans, Healthy Planet, a program that digs into the effects of oil spills; DNA & CSI, where students discover what goes into real crime scene investigation and how new technology related to capturing DNA has enabled progress in the field; Real Food Rocks!, a program that uncovers the truth behind meats and produce treated with antibiotics and chemicals; and advanced sessions for the Nanotechnology Workshop and the Robotics Workshop. All programs are tailored to the appropriate grade levels and satisfy a variety of academic anchors and standards.

“SciTech Days highlights all kinds of technologies and fields of science—especially the growth areas of Pittsburgh—and allows students to explore them in tangible, hands-on ways,” says Linda Ortenzo, director of the Regional SciTech Initiative. “This initiative makes an impact on thousands of students’ lives every year, and our mission is to excite, engage, and empower them to become the science leaders and informed citizens of tomorrow.”

Dozens of organizations will discuss their research and let students explore the latest technology through interactive exhibits that engage and entertain. Among the most popular is FedEx Ground’s fast-paced package scanning race, where students use high-tech equipment employed in the field.

Other notable organizations that will host exhibit tables include Bayer Corporation, PPG Industries, Inc., the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Duquesne University.

“Pittsburgh is becoming increasingly recognized for its leadership in science and technology,” says Ortenzo. “The United States and the world are starting to see that this city is one of the richest regions in the country for science and technology research and innovation.”

SciTech Days is made possible by the generous support of more than 100 foundations, corporations, and professional organizations throughout the region, including Bayer Corporation, FedEx Ground, The Buhl Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, United States Steel Corporation, and PPG Industries, Inc.

About Carnegie Science Center
Carnegie Science Center is dedicated to inspiring learning and curiosity by connecting science and technology with everyday life. By making science both relevant and fun, the Science Center’s goal is to increase science literacy in the region and motivate young people to seek careers in science and technology. One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the Science Center is Pittsburgh’s premier science exploration destination, reaching more than 700,000 people annually through its hands-on exhibits, camps, classes and off-site education programs.

About Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
Founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1895, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is a collection of four distinctive museums dedicated to exploration through art and science: Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center, and The Andy Warhol Museum. In 2009, the museums reached more than 1.2 million people through exhibitions, educational programs, outreach activities, and special events.