Photo by volcanojw

You’ve heard stats like this: barely half of all adults know how long it takes for the Earth to revolve around the Sun. President Obama has been pushing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education after the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology released a report with recommendations last month. All the arguments are there, that science knowledge helps our economy and creates a more innovative, knowledgeable society (so we can go to the Moon and invent iPhones and write correct textbooks and stuff). Plus it’s fun! We think science is just the best, from the vastness of space to all the crazy things swimming at the bottom of the sea, so we were excited to hear about a bunch of science events coming to D.C. this month.

First check out 2010 ScienceFest this Saturday at 1st and P streets NW from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jointly hosted by Howard University NOAA Center for Atmospheric Science and Department of Chemistry, Community Academy Public Carter School and Bates Area Civic Association, Inc., they’ll have fun science demonstrations and information on science careers, geared towards middle schoolers. Free, registration not mandatory but appreciated.

The next day, Sunday, October 10 marks the beginning of the two week long USA Science & Engineering Festival, whose mission is to “is to re-invigorate the interest of our nation’s youth in science, technology, engineering and math by producing and presenting the most compelling, exciting, educational and entertaining science gatherings in the United States.” Sign us up! The free events include robot building, a Rubik’s Cube competition, workshops for teachers, a sneak peak behind a new PBS NOVA series, and my personal favorite, a star gazing party. See the full event calendar here; events take place at venues around the D.C. area, including the weekend-long Expo on the National Mall on October 23 and 24.