News Release

Little Shop of Physics Returns to Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

Misty Brave and Jesse Pina from Oglala Lakota College share hands-on experiments with visitors.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: February 29, 2024

Contact: Tera Lynn Gray, 308-436-9768

Oglala Lakota College is bringing back their Little Shop of Physics program to Agate Fossil Beds National Monument from 12-2pm on Saturday, March 16^th. This is in celebration of National Science Education Day, which is the preceding Thursday.

Misty Brave and Jesse Pina, professors from Oglala Lakota College, will bring about 30 hands-on experiments. Children, in grades K – 12, and their parents can explore one experiment of their choice or try them all.

Last year’s program was a huge hit with nearly 100 visitors enjoying creative, hands-on science. Kids made wind tunnels, experimented with magnets, played with mirrors, explored sound, and much more.

The Little Shop of Physics program originated at Colorado State University, Fort Collins. Brian Jones, the Director and Founder of the program, states, “The big message is that science is accessible. The stuff we do is exciting, it’s fun, it’s engaging.” Jones and the program worked with Oglala Lakota College to set-up their own program and have been in partnership for about 15 years.

National Science Education Day started in 1892 by forming a national committee to address the lack of standardized science education. It has since led to large changes in science curriculum and instruction. Science is all around us and there’s no better place to explore our changing world than in our national parks. “National Parks are amazing outdoor laboratories to learn about the parks themselves and the world around us,” states an NPS article on Science For Parks. (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/science/index.htm)

We hope you can join us for a fun-filled day of family and science! ASL interpretation and audio description is available. For more information, please contact the park at [phone] or e-mail us. No registration is needed.

Admission to Agate Fossil Beds is always free. Check out other events and activities on the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/agfo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is located 34 miles north of Mitchell, NE or 22 miles south of Harrison, NE on Highway 29 and 3 miles east on River Rd. The Visitor Center winter hours are 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and the trails are open from dawn until dusk. Visit us at www.nps.gov/agfo and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.