The Gator Nation will have representation at the inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival this week in Washington, D.C.
The festival, which is being held in the greater Washington, D.C., area, will finish the weekend of Oct. 23 and 24 with an Expo on the National Mall that will feature booths from about 500 organizations, including about 50 universities.
Ruth Kiefer, festival co-director, said the main goal of the festival is to inspire elementary and high school students to pursue careers in the sciences.
She said most universities report between 60 and 80 percent of advanced science and engineering degrees are going to foreign students who often have to leave the country once they complete their education due to visa restrictions.
“We’re educating a bunch of wonderful scientists and engineers and not letting them stay,” she said.
According to a release, UF’s booth will feature a gyro-chair spin and a gyroscope game, in addition to small telescope building.
UF spokesman Steve Orlando said the festival and UF’s participation is indicative of a positive investment in the future.
“I think it’s fantastic that so much recognition is being given to science and engineering because those are areas innovations will come from that will help take our economy to the next level,” he said.
