UAlbany Hosts Family Earth Day, April 13

UAlbany is welcoming families from around the Capital Region to celebrate Earth Day by learning about the atmosphere, environmental science and sustainability through a series of hands-on demonstrations and activities.

The 7th annual Family Earth Day, led by students, faculty and researchers in the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences (DAES) and the Office of Environmental Sustainability, will be held on Saturday, April 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in University Hall on the Uptown Campus.

Local students, K-12, and their families are invited to attend, along with the UAlbany community. Last year’s event attracted more than 110 guests from 37 families.

“Our annual Family Earth Day event is an opportunity to get local kids and families excited about our planet, excited about learning, and excited about a healthy and clean environment,” said Brian Rose, DAES assistant professor and event organizer. “It’s great to have local families visit our campus and interact with faculty and students in such a fun way. These kids are our future STEM leaders and stewards of the Earth.”

This year’s featured activities include:

  • Tree planting on campus
  • Weather balloon launches
  • A sheep herding demonstration
  • “Weather in a tank” rotating table

UAlbany’s atmospheric scientists will offer a number of other hands-on learning opportunities through the day:

  • Tossing balls on a “Coriolis Machine” to illustrate the Earth’s rotation
  • Arts and crafts, including cloud art and light switch reminders
  • Storm surge experiments with sugar cubes
  • Solar oven demonstrations
  • Creating clouds in a bottle
  • Telescopes for solar observing
  • Composting and recycling activities
  • Soil exploration and crafting Earth Day caterpillars
UAlbany's "weather friends" will take selfies and interact with kids during Family Earth Day.

The event will also showcase the New York State Mesonet weather network, headquartered at UAlbany, and offer children the opportunity to interact with “weather friends.” These friendly superheroes will be handing out trading cards, signing autographs, taking selfies and talking with kids about staying safe when severe weather strikes.

Family Earth Day is sponsored by the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, the Office of Environmental Sustainability, the Division for Research, the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center, New York State Mesonet and University Auxiliary Services. Also participating are the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Albany County Soil and Water Conservation District.