Forestry Events at 2014 Michigan State Science Festival

March 27, 2014

MSU Forestry will host a series of events at this year's 2014 MSU Science Festival.

MSU Forestry Events at the 2014 MSU Science Festival
(listed by date)

Tuesday, April 1

Biofuels, Emerald Ash Borer and Christmas Trees: The Many Faces of Tree Research

Duration: 60 minutes
Max attendees per slot: 30
Type: Seminar/Demonstration
Description: We give hands-on demonstrations of the science involved in collecting/processing tree seed, growing seedlings, and field planting forests in Michigan. Activities will be linked to current MSU Forestry research projects on biofuels, Emerald Ash Borer, and the genetic improvement of Christmas trees.
Presented by: Randy Klevickas and Paul Bloese (MSU Department of Forestry)
Scientific Discipline: Plant and Animal Sciences
Recommended Age Range: 7-12 years

Times and Location

Location: Tree Research Center, 5640 East Jolly Road, East Lansing

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Wednesday, April 2

Climate Change in the Great Lakes Region and Beyond: A Symposium

Duration: 210 minutes
Max attendees per slot: N/A
Type: Panel discussion
Description: Climate change: a defining challenge of our era. Warming and changes in precipitation are occurring globally and in our Great Lakes Region. Join global and regional climate change experts for informative talks addressing new findings, impact on the Great Lakes, and what can be done.
Presented by: Steven Running (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and University of Montana); Don Scavia (University of Michigan, Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments); Bruno Basso (MSU Department of Geological Sciences)
Scientific Discipline: Energy and Environment
Recommended Age Range: 18 and older

For more information:

Times and Location

Location: Kellogg Center, Auditorium

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Friday, April 4

Forest Forensics

Duration: 60 minutes
Max attendees per slot: 150
Type: Seminar/Demonstration
Description: Trees live for centuries and thus are difficult to study through short-term experiments. Just like detectives, forest scientists use current evidence to reconstruct what happened in the past. Learn about tree rings, fire scars, bomb carbon and other methods to divulge mysteries of forest dynamics.
Presented by: Richard Kobe and Scott Stark (MSU Department of Forestry)
Scientific Discipline: Energy and Environment
Recommended Age Range: 7-12 years 13-17 years 18 and older

Times and Location

Location: Natural Resources Building, Auditorium (Room 158)

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Saturday & Sunday, April 5-6

Forest Processes and Global Environmental Change

Max attendees per slot: N/A
Type: LSJ Expo tent (hands-on)
Description: Stroll through the Michigan Forest Foundation’s educational trailer, “The Wanigan.” Discover something new about forests, forest ecology, and forest management. Contemporary issues such as climate change adaptation, forest carbon accounting, and forest health issues will be introduced.
Presented by: Sophan Chhin and Kaelyn Finley (MSU Department of Forestry)
Scientific Discipline: Plant and Animal Sciences
Recommended Age Range: All ages (families)

Times and Location

Location: LSJ Expo Tent

Location: LSJ Expo Tent

The Fungus Among Us

Max attendees per slot: N/A
Type: LSJ Expo tent (hands-on)
Description: The world is filled with fungi that come in many shapes and sizes. Fungi occur in every environment on Earth and play important roles in nutrient cycling, food production, medicine, and forest health. Come discover the wonderful world of fungi and learn fun facts about this important organism.
Presented by: Ellen Holste (MSU Department of Forestry)
Scientific Discipline: Plant and Animal Sciences
Recommended Age Range: All ages (families)

Times and Location

Location: LSJ Expo Tent

Location: LSJ Expo Tent

The Secret Life of Trees

Max attendees per slot: N/A
Type: LSJ Expo tent (hands-on)
Description: Prepare to learn the recipe for success, that is, the recipe for seedling success! Children will learn what plants need to live and grow while planting their own tree in a mini greenhouse. Emphasis will be placed on why trees matter to humans and their involvement in the carbon cycle.
Presented by: Megan Edwards (MSU Department of Forestry)
Scientific Discipline: Science Education
Recommended Age Range: All ages (families)

Times and Location

Location: LSJ Expo Tent

Measuring Big Trees

Duration: 30 minutes
Max attendees per slot: N/A
Type: Seminar/Demonstration
Description: Do you love big trees? Who doesn't! Come to this hands-on event to learn more about big trees and how to use several tools designed to measure them.
Presented by: David W. MacFarlane, Erika Kraus, Warvenn Loqman, and Neil Ver Planck (MSU Department of Forestry)
Scientific Discipline: Energy and Environment
Recommended Age Range: All ages (families)