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ECO DISCOVERY ZONE

Run through our choose-your-own, hands-on adventure of nature and science activities. Feed live butterflies as they rest on your knees. Hold worms in your own hands. See live bees and local endangered species. Construct solar cars and learn about the world around us, from the Earth to the moon and beyond, in a portable planetarium. Conduct real scientific experiments yourself, testing 5 indicators of water quality. And hear the actual sounds of wildlife, from tropical rainforests to the local birds in your backyard!
The Discovery Dome
Live Butterfly Walkthrough and Interactive Feeding
Test Water Quality, Discover Environmental Stewardship
Build Solar-powered Cars!
Experience the Sounds of the Rainforest
The Sights and Sounds of Austin Birds
Live Action Bee Hive
View Local Endangered Species
Vermiculture
What's the Solution to Plastic Pollution? by the Austin Youth Council
txmost_mobile_planetarium_picture – Shane Johnson (1)

The Discovery Dome

Stars and Science Austin's Discovery Dome will bring the stars to the 2019 Earth Day festival—this mobile planetarium, inside an 18 foot inflatable dome, utilizes a portable theater and a state-of-the-art digital projection system. We will showcase a combination of live shows led by our astronomy educator and immersive films on natural selection and nano-biology! It's great fun for all ages.
Brought to you by Stars and Science Austin.
2019 Eco Discovery Zone

Live Butterfly Walkthrough and Interactive Feeding

Taking place in a 10x20 mesh tent enclosure with zippered entry and exit at opposite ends. Monarch and Painted Lady Butterflies are free to fly around, meaning you can experience the thrill of seeing butterflies up-close in real life, rather than on a TV screen. Visitors will be provided a cotton swab with sweet liquid encouraging them to alight in front of your eyes.
Brought to you by Liz Cannedy.
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Test Water Quality, Discover Environmental Stewardship

Swim through our rotation of 6 stations to learn about "clean" and "dirty" water. Draw out your inner environmental scientist by testing a raft of water quality indicators at the following 5 stations: #1 pH, #2 dissolved oxygen, #3 temperature, #4 nitrates, and #5 turbidity. At station #6 learn all about water filtration and drainage through model home rain gardens and how they can improve water quality too. This exhibit promises to be a fountain of knowledge and empowering for people of all ages!
Brought to you by the Austin Youth River Watch.
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Build Solar-powered Cars!

In a 60 minute lesson, kids will learn about solar energy, assemble the cars, and then test them outside. Whose car will out race the others?
Brought to you by Solar Austin.
Rainforest_Partnership_color_logo – Shane Johnson (1)

Experience the Sounds of the Rainforest

Let your senses travel to the rainforest of South America through an immersive rainforest listening experience brought to you by Rainforest Partnership.
Brought to you by Rainforest Partnership.
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The Sights and Sounds of Austin Birds

Flock toward Travis Audubon’s activity table to learn all about the birds outside your front door! Learn neat facts about birds you can see in and around Austin while listening to the calls they make. Do you know what grackles, blue jays, and cardinals sound like? With Travis Audubon, you can be an expert at identifying birds in no time! Don’t forget to check out our Wonderful Wingspans Banner, where you can compare your own “wingspan” to birds like California Condors and Bald Eagles!
Brought to you by Travis Audubon.
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Live Action Bee Hive

See live bees! (Safely, in a glass hive). Have all your bee and pollinator questions answered! Warning: you WILL DEFINITELY LEARN SOMETHING COOL!
Brought to you by Austin Bees.
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View Local Endangered Species

We will bring aquaria housing various endangered species and discuss the importance protecting endangered species from extinction. We will also display several non-listed preserved specimens, and we will have a fun game where participants can guess which species are native for a small prize, allowing us to discuss the negative impacts invasive species can have on our local ecosystems. Additionally, an there will be an invertebrate display, which includes monarch butterfly specimens will also be a part of this area.
Brought to you by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
earth_day_vermiculture – Shane Johnson

Vermiculture

Get a hands-on feel for worm and worm castings!
What do worms feel like? Find out by worming your fingers into the bin of worms and worm castings. Provided by Texas Big Worm.
Brought to you by Texas Big Worm.
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What's the Solution to Plastic Pollution?

Wondering what the plastic pollution solution is? Stop by our booth to learn about the common misconceptions of plastics and their gruesome affect on the planet and the living as well as how you can live a more sustainable life.
Brought to you by Austin Youth Council.