Field Fest Combines Science, Health, Household Enjoyable

The UM Field Station and the Office for Research and Economic Development will host Field Fest on Oct. 18. Registration for each the 5K path run and the youngsters’ 1-mile enjoyable run is open by way of 10 a.m. Oct. 17.

“This is an opportunity to get out and see the Field Station and some of the work researchers doing out there, but mostly it’s an opportunity for a family fun day,” mentioned John Higginbotham, vice chancellor of analysis and financial improvement. “It’s a great chance for people to explore a beautiful part of campus they might not have seen before and see how research connects to the world around them.”

The occasion will kick off with the 5K path run at 8 a.m., the enjoyable run at 9 and awards for the runners at 9:30. After the runs, Ole Miss researchers may have science actions and video games for youngsters.

The actions and demonstrations will embody tour stops across the grounds, nature tales from the Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library, a mammal monitoring exhibit, a dialogue on amphibian analysis and displays from the Center for Mathematics and Science Education and the Ole Miss chapter of SEEDS, the Ecological Society of America’s undergraduate environmental management program.

“We try to provide opportunities for folks from our local communities to escape from the daily grind of town and campus life and enjoy fresh air and sunshine in a natural setting,” mentioned Scott Knight, the station director.

Food vehicles will arrive at 11 a.m., and a livestream of the Ole Miss vs. Georgia soccer sport begins at 2:30 p.m. All proceeds assist the UM Research Foundation.

“The foundation’s mission is to extend UM’s role in innovation and economic growth that benefits Mississippi and beyond,” mentioned Hughes Miller, the muse’s director. “Proceeds from this event directly support that work as we look to increase UM’s impact on our communities.”

Participants will even be inspired to take part in Beat Week, a fundraising competitors between followers of Ole Miss and the University of Georgia.

The Field Station, at 15 County Road 2078, is a 700-acre pure reserve that serves as an outside classroom, analysis website and neighborhood conservation space.

The station additionally hosts a number of science, know-how engineering and math workshops for Okay-12 college students and lately added new mountaineering and biking trails, Knight mentioned.

“It really hit home for me during COVID that we really need our natural setting more than ever,” he mentioned. “We still need to be able to escape the hustle and bustle of town and campus life and find a place where we can hear birds singing, maybe spot a red summer tanager in a yellow poplar tree, smell the earthy loam of the forest floor, hear a tree frog calling and watch otters play.”

For extra data or to volunteer, contact Susan Page at [email protected].

Top: The UM Field Station provides mountaineering and biking trails, the place households and outside lovers can get pleasure from sunshine, pure magnificence and glimpse of wildlife. Families, associates and soccer followers are welcome to the inaugural Ole Miss Field Fest, which is able to host a 5K and youngsters’s 1-mile enjoyable run on the Field Station. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services