Oodles of Ologies: Real Science at Biscayne National Park’s Family Fun Fest

Date: February 3, 2015
Contact: Gary Bremen, 305-230-1144, x007

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA – Scientists study all kinds of interesting things like fish, rocks, waterflow and climate. Lots of scientists do their work in Biscayne National Park, and this month's edition of Family Fun Fest highlights five sciences with hands-on opportunities to learn about different aspects of the park. The free event takes place from 1-4 pm on Sunday, February 8, 2015 at the park's Dante Fascell Visitor Center, 9 miles east of Homestead. Visitors are encouraged to ride the free Homestead National Parks Trolley to and from the event. Visit www.CityofHomestead.com/Gateway for trolley details.

"Oodles of Ologies!" will feature five hands-on and engaging activity stations located around the visitor center. An additional Family Fun Fest Junior station offers an opportunity for creative play for toddlers. The 5 stations are:

• Ichthyology –Learn how we are saving billfish like marlins and sailfish in a fun tag-and-release activity using real tags and GPS!
• Paleontology –What can real fossils tell us about how our area has changed over the years?
• Hydrology –Learn how park staffkeep tabs on water with a behind-the-scenes tour of our water quality lab!
• Climatology –Our planet's climate is changing, and artists are helping us understand how.
• Geology –What is "sand?" Get the scoop with a very up-close look at sand from eight different national parks

Participants receive a passport to get stamped at each activity station, and those who complete all five activities (or two Family Fun Fest Junior activities) will earn a specially-designed button to remember the day. Earning all five buttons in a season earns a Family Fun Fest Fanatic award in April.

Upcoming Family Fun Fests this season include:

• Inside Edition: SpongeBob –March 8, 2015 —Biscayne National Park pokes fun at a popular kids cartoon!
• Quinceañera: Fifteen Years of FFF –April 12, 2015 —It's a fact of life. Everybody grows up…even Family Fun Fest!

Family Fun Fest is made possible through the donations of generous visitors and the Bobby Duryea Fund at the South Florida National Parks Trust, with additional support from the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserves, The Billfish Foundation, the South Florida Geocaching Community, Studio Art Quilt Associates,and a host of dedicated volunteers.

The Dante Fascell Visitor Center is located at 9700 SW 328 Street, nine miles east of Homestead, Florida. Call 305-230-7275, extension 0 or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/bisc, or follow the park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/biscaynenps, or Twitter at www.twitter.com/biscaynenps.

-NPS-

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.