FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      April 21, 2010

CONTACTS: 

Candice Rennels, OKC Zoo (405) 425-0298 or (405) 412-6172, cell

Tara Henson, OKC Zoo (405) 425-0219 or (405) 919-9038, cell

STUDENTS VISIT THE OKC ZOO FOR SCIENCEFEST,

OKLAHOMA’S LARGEST EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

On Thursday, April 22 the Oklahoma City Zoo is the destination for thousands of fourth and fifth grade students attending ScienceFest, Oklahoma’s largest Earth Day celebration!

ScienceFest is an annual event that allows students to spend the day learning about environmental science in fun and interactive ways. Participants will begin arriving at the Zoo at 9 a.m. for presentations and hands-on learning activities that focus on the importance of environmental education and the conservation of natural resources. Special Earth Day sea lion shows will cause a big splash at 10:15 and 11:45 a.m.

“The purpose of ScienceFest is to share with students all aspects of science and the importance of environmental responsibility in a fun and exciting way,” says Jan Kunze, ScienceFest Steering Committee Chair. “We hope these students are inspired to become better citizens and stewards of the environment,” she adds. 

Event sponsors include the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, OGE Energy Corp., the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Oklahoma Office of the Secretary of the Environment. Event Partners are the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, Oklahoma State Department of Education, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and Tinker Air Force Base.

For additional information about ScienceFest or a list of schools that are attending, visit sciencefestok.org. While admission for ScienceFest participants is free on April 22, regular Zoo admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children ages three-11 and seniors 65 and older. Children 2 and under are free. The Zoo is located at NE 52nd and Martin Luther King Blvd. in Oklahoma City and open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

-okczoo-

Editor’s note: For previous event photos, day at a glance schedule and public interest stories, please contact Candice Rennels.