About 300 young scientists are ready to put on their thinking caps for the fifth annual Kids Science Carnival from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at West Virginia University’s Towers Blue and Gold rooms (Evansdale Residential Complex).

Children can help solve a crime, dig up artifacts, stand inside a bubble, make oobleck, play music on glasses, see a cloud in a bottle and explore tiny snowflakes.

The free event is sponsored by WVU ’s Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity and WVU Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program.

The goal is to educate kids about science in a fun way and inspire them to explore and examine the world around them, organizers say.

It’s a really good way for Alpha Phi Omega members to share their ideas and get involved with younger members of the community,said Emily Smead, carnival chair.Most of the exhibits are going to be hands-on, and there will be a couple of things to take home with them.

The carnival will feature 20-25 booths; some will be in front of the Evansdale Residential Complex. Experiments and exhibits will deal with forensics, physics, chemistry and biology. A representative from the National Wildlife Foundation will also participate.

All ages are welcome to take part, but most activitiesegg drop contest, handwriting comparison, fingerprinting, constellation design, microscopes and moreare geared for children in K-6 grades, Smead added.

Signs will be posted on campus directing participants where to park.

On the Net:http://webdev.wvu.edu/~apo/ksc.html