CHICAGO-On Saturday, May 21, 2005 from 10 A.M. to 1 P.M. families throughout Chicagoland will be able to immerse themselves in science and nature at the 3rd annual "Science. It's Everywhere!" festival in Jackson Park. Located just south of the Museum of Science & Industry, the festival will feature hands-on exhibits from the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago Park District, Lincoln Park Zoo, Field Museum and live reptiles and amphibians from the Chicago Herpetological Society. Families will have the opportunity to hear nature tales from storyteller Brian "Fox" Ellis and experience the performances of puppet shows from the Jabberwocky marionettes.

The purpose of the "Science. It's Everywhere!" festival is to engage families in science and nature. At the festival children and adults alike will be surrounded by a world so natural they may forget they are in the middle of Chicago! During the three-hour festival guests will receive free science-based gifts, munch on free popcorn popped ComEd's solar panel truck, and look at life underground with the Field Museum's Soil Mobile.

After the snakes and lizards from the Chicago Herpetological Society and the furry creatures from the Lincoln Park Zoo have wowed guests, participants can take a stroll along Jackson Park's Wooded Island. In spring the island is teaming with wildlife including butterflies, native flowers and birds. The Osaka Japanese Garden is also on the island and features a waterfall, pagoda and "moon" bridge.

For more information and directions to this free event, please visit www.tryscience.org or call (312) 742-4916.

Background: The Chicago Park District is the lead facilitator for this annual festival. The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Partnership for Science Literacy sponsor the annual festival through a grant from the National Science Foundation. The goal is to reach out to diverse community groups and families to help foster a passion for science and to aid in science literacy.

####

Media Contact

Peggy Stewart

Chicago Park District

541 N. Fairbanks

Chicago, IL 60611

Ph. (312) 742-4916

F. (312) 742-5393

peggy.stewart@chicagoparkdistrict.com