Fall Into Science At Third Annual Fall Family Fun Fest, Featuring Pnc’s Mobile Learning Adventure

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Oct. 2, 2013 - PRLog -- (WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.) -- Guests of all ages will fall in love with science at the third annual “Fall Family Fun Fest.”  This event will take place on Sunday, Oct.13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature many hands-on, science activities, including an interactive Mobile Learning Adventure (MLA) traveling exhibit for children birth to five-years-old, courtesy of the PNC Foundation and Grow Up Great, PNC’s bilingual, early childhood education initiative.

Fall-themed festivities will also spill onto the front lawn of the Science Center, as guests are welcome to enjoy live entertainment, science-themed crafts, face painting, a bounce house, liquid nitrogen demonstrations, a petting zoo, a bean bag toss and much more.  Special sweet treats will be provided in the form of snow cones, popcorn and cotton candy.  Additionally, the West Palm Beach Library will be on hand for story telling time, and Professor Clark the Science Shark is scheduled to make a guest appearance, as well as a variety of other vendors offering samples and raffle prizes.

The Science Center will be open during this event, and attendees are welcome to enjoy all of the Science Center’s typical offerings – including its newly expanded aquarium, Science on a Sphere and the current traveling exhibit: Savage Ancient Seas.

Through the Mobile Learning Adventure, the PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. , will help children explore their career dreams while highlighting the importance of early education.

The hands-on MLA exhibit offers educational games for children to do with their parents on two touch-screen kiosks. Activities include the “When I Grow Up” station, where kids dress up as different professionals and have their picture superimposed on an appropriate background. In addition, parents can take home an activity book and a Sesame Street^TM learning kit created by Sesame Workshop as part of a continuing partnership with PNC.  The kit includes a magazine for parents and caregivers, children’s activity cards and a book, along with an original Sesame Street DVD that demonstrates how to take everyday moments and turn them into learning opportunities.

“PNC recognizes the role kindergarten readiness plays in the wellbeing of local children, their families and ultimately, our economy,” said Craig Grant, president for Florida east, speaking on behalf of The PNC Foundation. “By preparing our youngest students for educational success, we help build a solid foundation for the future of this region.”

“PNC's overall commitment to our mission at the Science Center has been impressive and we are thrilled to be partnering with them for the third consecutive year on this event," said Lew Crampton, CEO of the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.  "The PNC Mobile Learning Adventure is a great way to interest young minds in early education activities. Like PNC, we are committed to early childhood education as it is never too soon to ‘open every mind to science.’  We are pleased to offer various early childhood classes right here at the Science Center.”

The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, formerly known as the South Florida Science Museum, recently completed a $5 million expansion and renovation. With a new mission to “open every mind to science,” the Science Center features more than 50 hands-on educational exhibits, an 8,000 gallon fresh and salt water aquarium- featuring both local and exotic marine life, a digital planetarium, conservation research station, Florida exhibit hall and an interactive Everglades exhibit, among other exciting amenities.

“Since its founding 50 years ago, the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium has developed a first-class reputation for providing fun, educational programs to families throughout the region,” added Grant. “We are pleased to partner with the Center to help stage a full day of family fun in a great setting and we look forward to finding more ways to serve children and families throughout south Florida.”

The Fall Family Fun Fest is free with paid general admission to the Science Center.  General admission is $13.50 for adults, $10 for children aged 3 to 12, and $12 for seniors aged 62 and older.  Planetarium shows and miniature golf are not included in general admission pricing.

The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is located at 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach and is open Monday – Friday from 9am-5pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-6pm.  For more information about Fall Family Fun Fest, please contact Kristina Holt by calling 561-370-7740 or emailing kholt@sfsciencecenter.org.   For more information about the Science Center, please visit www.sfsciencecenter.org.  Like the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @SFScienceCenter.

About Grow Up Great:

PNC recognizes that learning in a child's early years is essential for their long-term success.  Through Grow Up Great, a $350 million, multi-year, bilingual initiative that began in 2004, PNC helps prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.  With a focus on underserved children, Grow Up Great provides the leadership, advocacy, funding, volunteers and educational resources to help families, educators and community partners provide innovative opportunities that enhance children’s learning and development. For more information, please visit www.pncgrowupgreat.com.