3 Questions for ... Meisa Salaita, Executive Co-Director & Co-Founder of Science ATL

We sat down with Salaita, who is intrigued by the beauty of science, to get some insight on science in our city. Through her work founding and directing the Atlanta Science Festival, she strives to convince others to fall in love with science as well. A mom of two, Salaita has a Ph.D. in chemistry and has produced radio and TV shows to spread the story of science.

l What makes Atlanta a great place for exploring STEAM as a kid and as a family?

Atlanta is a science city. There are so many amazing discoveries happening at our universities and local companies. You can also learn at our amazing cultural institutions and organizations like West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, the Amphibian Foundation, Atlanta Audubon Society and more. We love to partner with non-profits like these for the Atlanta Science Festival, because a lot of people don’t realize all the cool organizations in this city that offer amazing learning opportunities.

But Atlanta is not a science city just behind closed doors. Our city in the forest abounds with opportunities to explore STEAM outdoors. There are always questions to ask when you are outside: Why is that tree bark peeling? Why are those ants all walking in a line? Even questions that don’t feel related to nature, like: Why are there so many potholes? Just simply being able to spend time outdoors and look around offers the chance to explore STEAM questions.

It’s hard as a parent when you feel like you have to have all the answers for your kids. As the adult authority in their lives, you want to be able to give answers to anything they ask. As a parent myself, I get that. Sometimes, it feels less intimidating to avoid questions that might cause you to be stumped, rather than admit you don’t know. But I think that’s the beauty of science. The amazing thing about science is not the body of knowledge we have, but the body of knowledge we don’t have; science is a process to get those answers. Talk to your kids about that process of discovery: how scientists work hard every day to uncover answers to questions they don’t know, how you and your child together can engage in that process. That may end up looking like Googling an answer, but it may also end up looking like designing an experiment together. It’s the process of discovery that parents can lean into with their kids. And discovery is what science is all about.

l Why is it important for children to connect to STEAM?

It is important to develop an appreciation and value for the role that science plays in our world and lives. And that’s where that idea of connection comes in. If kids are exposed to STEAM and see how it might connect to their own interests, they start to gain an understanding and appreciation for science and the way it can better our world. Valuing evidence-based thinking is so important for making decisions for ourselves, our families and our planet.

Engineered by Science ATL, the annual Atlanta Science Festival gives locals the opportunity to explore the magic of science. This year, the festival will be held March 10-25 across the metro area. From geocaching to stargazing, understanding the mechanics of flying animals and hydroponic systems, there’s an event for everyone! For more on the festival, see page 63.

But also, I hate the idea that because of lack of exposure to STEAM, kids might not have an idea of career opportunities available to them. I want every kid to know all the cool careers out there that could one day be theirs! This is part of why we started the Atlanta Science Festival. We want kids to know what engineers do, that girls can be coders, that life as a scientist can be one of outdoor adventure, that a future in science can be for anyone!

– Emily Webb

9 Ideas for an At-Home Easter Egg Hunt

Secret Message Hunt

Use plastic eggs. Print out short messages for each egg that asks the kids to do a task such as quack like a duck or hop like a bunny. When they have found ten eggs and done all ten tasks, they’re eligible to hunt for their basket. Hand them a message with the clue they need to find it.

Indoor Hunt with Clues

This works well for families who find themselves inside on Easter morning. Write out clues that take the children to various places in the home where they’ll find the next clue. Use at least five clues and let the kids find their baskets at the end of the hunt.

Easter Bunny Track Hunt

Create “bunny tracks” out of pink paper and leave them where younger kids can follow to find a series of treats.

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Golden Egg Hunt

Do your usual favorite hunt, but add an additional treasure. Purchase a large gold egg and fill it with something special. It could contain a treasure for the finder only, or a treat for the whole family such as a trip to a favorite restaurant, park or tickets to a new movie.

Easter Egg Piñata

Buy or make an Easter piñata and provide masks and a stick to open it. You can make a piñata by using an inflated balloon and paper mâché, or decorate a white bag to simulate an egg. Kids enjoy the building anticipation as the piñata begins to crack and shower them with candy.

Glow in the Dark Hunt

Use glow sticks and larger plastic eggs to create an indoor “in the dark” hunt. You may choose to have the kids find a certain number of glowing eggs to “buy” their basket.

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by Jan Pierce

A Puzzling Hunt

Buy a blank puzzle at your local craft store. Draw an Easter message for your kids, giving them the information they need to find their basket. Place puzzle pieces in plastic eggs and let the fun begin. When the puzzle is assembled, they follow the clue to their Easter goodies.

Relay Hunt

With a larger group of children, divide into teams and have one person from each team hunt for a given amount of time, return to tag the next player and continue until all the kids have had a turn. Provide some sort of extra treat for the winning team. (Be sure everyone gets a fair amount of treats after the hunt.)

More than Candy Hunt

Kids love hunting for eggs! Mix up the fun at home with these fresh ideas. 1 2 3

Fill some of your plastic eggs with small toys or tickets to receive the toys after the hunt. Toys might include balls, tiny bunnies or chicks, finger puppets or anything else appropriate for the kids in your group.

Easter Crafts for Kids

n Easter Bunny Cookies

These sweet treats start with refrigerated sugar cookie dough. Bake as directed; top with white frosting and coconut. Add marshmallow ears, mini chocolate chip eyes and a pink heart sprinkle nose. Find instructions at pillsbury.com.

n Egg Carton Chicks

Upcycle an egg carton! For each chick, cut out two egg cups and trim the edges. Glue them together and paint with craft paint. Add a paper beak, eyes and a decorative feather. Find directions at typicallysimple.com.

n Emoji Easter Eggs

Express yourself! Paint eggs with bright yellow acrylic paint and let dry. Add features using fine-tip paint markers. Find complete directions at studiodiy.com.

APRIL 14-16, 2023

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Visit The Kids Village

Young visitors will find plenty to do in the Kids Village presented by Visit Tallahassee! Families will enjoy creative hands-on arts and crafts projects, inflatables, puppet shows, interactive activities and more!

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