A Taste of Science

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced their activity line-up for the ever popular Taste of Science, part of the 22nd Annual Taste of Arlington taking place on Sunday, May 17, from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Wilson Boulevard in front of Ballston Common Mall.   
 
The Taste of Science has been a part of Taste of Arlington for nine years. Taste of Science offers fun, free hands on activities for kids and family of all ages, engaging them in the discovery and exploration of scientific topics.  This year, a select group of Arlington students with award-winning projects in the recent Northern Virginia Regional Science and Engineering Competition will showcase their projects.

2009 Taste of Science Activities
         
WGBH Boston  
Demonstrations and TV segments of Fetch, Design Squad, and PEEP will showcase one of NSF's award winning educational public television programs.

National Science Teachers Association
The National Science Teachers Association - based in Arlington, VA, will examine phase-change fun by turning liquids into solids and liquids into ooze (known as "slime") without ever changing temperature.

George Mason University
GMU will be showcasing cutting-edge NSF-supported research in solar phenomena and in biomechanics with upper extremity movement.

Robotics - Drexel University
Exhibitors will demonstrate NSF-supported research in humanoid robotics.

NSF Astronomy
National Science Foundation Astronomy Division staff will host a demonstration of a safe view of our sun through a specially-designed solar telescope.

NSF Polar Programs
Go to the poles - the Arctic and the Antarctic - wearing cold weather gear that the real scientists use. See a full scale dinosaur skull discovered in Antarctica only a few years ago.

NSF Science Assistants
NSF Science Assistants - a group of early career scientists and engineers - will host hands-on activities in chemical reactions and another on the hidden color in light.

Fun Food Stuff: The Science of Food
NSF staff will have Taste of Arlington attendees experience science as exploring the unknown through a cycle of experiments that probe the nature of food.    

Northern Virginia Regional Science and Engineering Fair Winners
Seventeen Arlington's 7th- 12th grade students will be showcasing their winning science and engineering projects.             

Cyberchase
Visitors to the Cyberchase table -- another NSF-supported public television program - will be invited to use their mathematical and spatial skills to step through space using a sheet of paper.     
        
The Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership is organizing and hosting the highly-anticipated Taste of Arlington event, having purchased the rights from Community Residences, Inc., a local non-profit organization that assists people with disabilities to live independently in the community. Each year, Taste of Arlington draws nearly 12,000 attendees who have the opportunity to sample dishes from over 40 restaurants.   Proceeds from the spectacular community event will continue to benefit Community Residences, Inc.

Advance ticket sales for Taste of Arlington can be purchased at the Taste of Arlington Web site at www.tasteofarlington.com. The cost is $20 and will be available through May 10.  Advance ticket purchases can also be made at the Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership, Clarendon Alliance, Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization, and Rosslyn Renaissance offices. Ticket booklets may be purchased on-site the day of the event for $25.  The Dittmar Company (www.RentDittmar.com) is the title Co-Underwriter for the 2009 Taste of Arlington.  

The Ballston-Virginia Square Partnership has teamed up with the Clarendon Alliance, Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization, Rosslyn Renaissance and the National Science Foundation to produce the 2009 Taste of Arlington.