91̽»¨

What’s it like to build a solar race car, measure an ocean wave or drive a Mars rover? How do our genes determine our traits? How will astronomers find new Earthlike planets? And oh yeah — how exactly do antacids work?

The answers, and more, will be revealed at , a free, daylong, family-friendly celebration of science June 2 at Seattle Center. Lots of 91̽»¨ programs and people will be featured among about 150 interactive experiments, games, exhibits and performances.

It’s all part of the , happening at various locations through June and into July — with much 91̽»¨involvement — and including June 3-10.

Also, the five-lecture series will feature 91̽»¨computer science Professor discussing cyber security. He’s in excellent company, as other lecturers include theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, paleontologist Jack Horner and former astronauts Bonnie Dunbar and George “Pinky” Nelson.

This first-ever science festival roughly coincides with the 50^th anniversary of the Seattle World’s Fair and the Pacific Science Center (which was called the United States Science Pavilion for the fair). It’s all about making science accessible and fun.

Bryce Seidl, chief executive officer of the Science Center — which is the festival’s main organizing agency — said that too often, young people perceive science, technology and engineering as “overly difficult, dry and devoid of creativity.

“It’s difficult to imagine a more compelling force for reversing student disinterest in these fields than face-to-face interaction with dynamic, engaging, interested practitioners of these fields from all walks of life, backgrounds and education.”

Science Expo Day’s 130-some exhibitors will include a host of UW-related booths. Here are just a few:

• Animations and a computer game on the science and art of protein folding, from biochemistry and computer science and engineering.
• A demonstration of guiding a remote-controlled robot to view discoveries made on Mars, from the department of Earth and space sciences and the Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium.
• A hands-on experiment on how crushing pills — Tums, in this case — can affect how they work, from the .
• An exhibit showing how genes affect traits, and the making of a “genetic traits tree” showing traits common among participants.
• Hands-on activities showing how scientists can learn what planets’ atmospheres are made of from afar, and how extrasolar Earthlike planets might be found.
• A Facebook-based interactive about restoring wetlands from 91̽»¨Bothell.
• An exhibit on how ocean waves are measured and the significance of the data. Also, taste the ocean and learn if your tongue is a good salinometer. Both from the .
• , a daylong event June 2 at Town Hall is meant to appeal to a mix of students, scientists and other citizens of Puget Sound and is organized by UW’s Conservation Magazine and biology department.

The month-plus festival includes a number of UW-related events. Here’s a brief look (learn more on the festival’s online ).

• Lectures about Venus by 91̽»¨astronomy professors in 120 Kane Hall on June 4, a day before that planet “transits” the sun. will discuss “Transits of Venus and the Quest for the Scale of the Universe” and will talk about “Venus: Our Modern Day Understanding of the Earth’s Twisted Sister.”
• Kohno will join national security expert Deborah Gracio and Pablos Holman, hacker and security expert, for “,” a discussion of identity theft, viruses, worms and other cyber-perils June 9 at Town Hall.
• Visit the UW, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and other research institutions in the for elementary and middle school students on June 8.
• Behind the Scenes at the Burke Museum: Tour the museum’s various collections in a number of different June 3-7.
• Kids can build and race their own solar cars, and all can learn how chemistry and engineering research is making it possible to make solar cells from inexpensive plastic, for future use on buildings, windows and even clothing.
• Student RND, a Bellevue based-nonprofit dedicated to inspiring students to study science and headed by 91̽»¨computer science undergraduate Edward Jiang will hold on 3D printing, laser cutting and more June 4-9.

The 91̽»¨is one of many area cultural, educational, research and business agencies collaborating to make the Seattle Science Festival a reality.

The festival may not exactly blind your family with science, as the goes — but it might open their eyes a little.