Fair brings energy to Children's Museum

While there are few ways to harness the energy of a 5-year-old, one might be the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada Energy Fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.

Hoping to start a tradition, Director Ken Beaton said the University of Nevada, Reno and Western Nevada Community College are coming together to provide displays and information about renewable energy.

"There will be a number of exhibits emphasizing renewable or green energy," Beaton said. "We will have a person with a solar oven baking fresh cookies. I don't know many people who will say no to a fresh cookie."

Ellen Jacobson, project coordinator for the College of Engineering at the university, will be back at the museum. She helped organize Science and Engineering Day at the museum in April.

"She is a moving force on wanting to have this," Beaton, a former educator, said. "She is a dynamo. She likes to get her students, who are becoming science teachers, talk to children in a non-classroom environment. It's a good way to get them involved with kids."

Dave Williams is coordinating the effort on behalf of the college.

In addition to the college and university efforts, two fuel-efficient cars will be on display, including the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight.

Southwest Gas Co. will provide materials for children to use and learn about energy efficiency.

"We have all kinds of things, including coloring and activity books, there are a number of things for children to get them involved," he said. "The Nevada Department of Transportation will provide water bottles and all kinds of literature on bicycles."

Beaton said teaching science is one of the three missions of the museum.

"The arts are important, humanities are important and the sciences are important," he said. "When I first started teaching in Battle Mountain, the technology we take for granted today wasn't invented yet. There were no personal computers, no e-mail and no World Wide Web. Just what's available now is unbelievable."

Admission to energy fair is free. The Children's Museum is at 813 N. Carson St.

IF YOU GO

What: Children's Museum of Northern Nevada Energy Fair

Where: 813 N. Carson St.

When: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. today

Information: Call 884-2226