GLHS Newsletter - The Reflection, March 24, 2014

Get your geek on with the Michigan Tech Mind Trekkers, hosted by Gull Lake Community Schools Foundation

This upcoming November, Gull Lake Community Schools Foundation hosts the Michigan Tech Mind Trekkers, a traveling interactive science museum. The Foundation is instrumental in bringing many well-known authors to speak to the public and educational exhibits such as last year’s Vietnam Veteran’s memorial, The Wall That Heals. Graphic by Michigan Tech Mind Trekkers.

In November of 2014, Gull Lake Community Schools Foundation announced that they will host the Michigan Tech Mind  Trekkers. Originally from northern Michigan, the Mind Trekkers’ traveling science museum hosts science festivals in communities all over the nation.

Stephen Patchin, director for the center for College Outreach, started this group in 2010. Patchin and his colleague, Cody Kangas, thought hands on science activities would have a positive impact for students and people of all ages throughout the nation.

Mind Trekkers go coast to coast doing their own science festivals and are officially known as the traveling US science and engineering festival.

 “We like to bring hands on science to communities,” said Patchin. “We are very excited to host this festival at Gull Lake in November.”

The Mind Trekkers’ group consists of undergrad/grad students from Michigan Tech. It’s all volunteer, an organization ran by students.

During November 6th and 7th, the Mind Trekkers will be setting up their Science museum in both gyms at Gull Lake High School.

Open to the entire student body of Gull Lake schools and the community, patrons will move through the gym in a free flow format. Several booths are set up, where people can get involved or observe science experiments. Many of the different science operations that will be seen at the festival are located on the MichiganTech website, http://mindtrekkers.mtu.edu/.

           “Bring your imagination,” said Patchin. “Most importantly, get your geek on with us.”

Along with the experiment list, many science activities with interactive elements and games will be explored.

“A crowd favorite is the Dragon’s Breath,” Patchin said. “We take graham crackers and soak them in liquid nitrogen. Then somebody eats the graham cracker, but the nitrogen provides fog breath.”

This event will be open to the public of Gull Lake and surrounding areas.

To check out the  MindTrekkers Live, visit their youtube page, Michigan Tech MindTrekkers, to watch exciting videos and to see what will be offered.

By: Ellie Harnden

---