Published Apr 9, 2024 by Carter DeJong

One of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ most popular science events returns Saturday after a Covid-19 hiatus.

The UAF Science Potpourri will take place from noon to 3 p.m. April 13 in the Reichardt Building.

“It’s all about getting kids interested in science and engaging that curiosity that all children have — especially through hand-on activities,” said Lea Gardine, public information officer with the UAF College of Natural Science and Mathematics. “The whole point of this is for kids to be able to see things unravel in front of them.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities, including liquid nitrogen ice cream, explosions and even an infrasound demonstration.

“In addition to just showing these cool things blowing up, they’re going to be talking about why they happen,” Gardine said. “Kids — especially kids — are alway like ‘why does this happen?’ so this is an opportunity in a safe space for them to explore that.”

Attendees will also be able to interact with graduate and undergraduate students as well as faculty members and ask them about their research.

All three floors of the Rechardt building will be filled with activity come Saturday, Gardine said. It will be the first Science Potpourri since 2019. In past years, the event has attracted hundreds of people.

Published Apr 9, 2024 by Josh Reed

On the college scene, UAA junior Cole Nash received his first weekly honor of the outdoor track and field season this past Monday for an impressive performance he had last weekend. He recorded the third-fastest finish in Division II this season in the 5,000 by running a 13:55.71 at the Stanford Invite, he was named Great Northwest Athletic Conference Men’s Track Athlete of the Week.

Up in Fairbanks, the UAF men’s basketball team will be moving forward with a new head coach after the university announced Greg Sparling will not be returning for the 2024-25 season last Friday.

“We thank Coach Sparling for his years of service to UAF and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” director of athletics Brock Anundson said in a statement.

During his six years at the helm of the program, Sparling compiled a record of 33-48 the past three seasons. The highlight of his tenure came in 2022 when he guided the Nanooks to a magical run to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.