High-Tech Halloween is Oct. 29 at Bradbury Science Museum

Scaring up spooktacular science fun

A little pink angel enters the Bradbury's "wormhole" at last year's High Tech Halloween. Photo by Ed Vigil of the Government Affairs Office.

October 21, 2010—When does science get spooktacular? To find out, climb into your costume and head on over to the Bradbury Science Museum for “High-Tech Halloween!” Back for its 17th year, the creepy educational event is from 4 to 7 p.m. October 29.

Long-time staffers call High-Tech Halloween the museum’s largest single-day draw. “Last year, about 2,300 visitors came through our doors,” said museum science educator Liz Martineau. She added, “Kids and adults all loved it.”

More than a dozen ghoulish activities are sure to delight big and small. Visitors can learn all about planets and their properties; the “magic” behind science; why Diet Coca-Cola floats while regular Coke sinks; and many other unexpected science-related facts, Martineau said.

Young presenters

In addition, for the first time this year, teenagers from Los Alamos and Pojoaque who participated in the museum’s “Summer Adventures in Science” series will get a chance to talk about their particular areas of interest. For example, Derek Selvage, a youngster who’s also interested in rocketry, will discuss entomology and show his impressive collection of insects. Jacob Marks, a young myrmecologist (“That’s an ‘ant scientist,’ explained educator Gordon McDonough), will talk about his project involving ant hills.

Parents with very young children are encouraged to arrive early before the museum gets crowded and when it’s still light out, Martineau noted.

High-Tech Halloween kicks off Los Alamos County’s “Halloweekend,” which includes the Chamber of Commerce’s “Trick or Treat on Main Street.”

The Bradbury Science Museum is part of the Community Programs Office. Located at 15th Street and Central Avenue in downtown Los Alamos, the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Admission is free.