The San Jacinto College community will have the chance to experience Earth Science Celebration hosted by The Houston Geological Society (HGS) on Oct. 13 at the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) as part of a series of events aimed at K-12 outreach during Earth Science Week.

Central Campus Geology Professor Sharon Choens, Chair of the Earth Science Week for HGS, said she hopes the event will “spark an interest in science” for those attending the celebration.

This year’s Earth Science Week’s theme is “Earth as Inspiration” which according to the group’s website, “emphasizes artistic expression as a unique, powerful opportunity for geoscience education and understanding in the 21st century.”

A volunteer for many years, Choens said she sees many children enjoy the event’s offerings adding, “The kids are always excited and have a blast no matter what age.”

Participants at the HMNS festivities will receive a “passport” that leads them through seven passport stations featuring hands-on activities and demonstrations where they can explore the planet Earth with expert guides. The stations are staffed by geoscientists from energy companies and representatives from local geoscience societies, as well as museum volunteers and students from local colleges and universities. Once the “travelers” receive a stamp on their passports from all seven stations, they report to “headquarters” to receive a prize bag of goodies. 

Although the event is aimed at a younger audience, Choens said attendees of all ages enjoy Earth Science Celebration.  

“Even my college kids really love it and become more interested in science when they go,” she said of her students. “They come back, and they’re all excited, and they’re telling everybody what they saw, and what they did, and how much fun it was.”

Earth Science Celebration takes place between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Oct. 13 at the Houston Museum of Natural Science located at 555 Herman Park Dr., Houston. Ticket prices are $3.50 for students and faculty with a valid school I.D.