UAlbany hosts STEM and Earth Sciences Family Day

More than 500 students and their families flocked to the University at Albany on Sunday to learn more about weather and climate.

UAlbany held STEM and Earth Sciences Family Day Sunday at its ETEC facility. UAlbany alum and NewsChannel 13 meteorologist Christina Talamo was on hand to explain weather concepts to students. She used a couple of connected water bottles to demonstrate how a vortex is created like in a tornado and explained how she does the weather forecast.

The event also included a weather balloon launch, and more than 30 hands-on activities focused on learning and exploring the environment, weather and climate, as well as engineering, nanotechnology and sustainability. Students also had the chance to make zero electric toys and biodegradable bird feeders and see demonstrations of robotic dogs.

“What we want to do is bring in students, basically from second grade to eighth grade, to give them an idea of the kind of science they can be exposed to in an university setting and get them thinking about careers in science,” said Melissa Connolly, vice president for communications at UAlbany.