More than 400 people visited the third annual Family Science Expo at Des Plaines Public Library Sunday. It was a gathering of the minds where professionals came together to teach youngsters about scientific applications 
in our everyday world.

“The idea is to expose kids to the different kinds of sciences,” said library board president, George Magerl. “It pleases me to see so many people come out this year,” he said.

Attendees participated in educational, interactive activities about building bridges, maneuvering robots and teamwork exercises.

Earlier: Pics from the 2010 Science Expo.

New this year, visitors were invited to donate their old bikes to Working Bikes Cooperative, a nonprofit organization that
 repairs some of the bikes for local donation. Others they sell to help fund shipping more bicycles overseas to those in need.

Five bikes were donated at the Expo, said Gary Van, a volunteer for Working Bikes. Visitors of the Working Bikes exhibit learned how to use bikes to generate energy.

“We want to collect as many donated bikes as possible to give to developing nations,” Van said. “We want to show people how to convert bikes into electricity.”

Other organizations at this year’s Family Science Expo included Chicago Area Robotics Group, the American Institute of Chemical
Engineers, Civil Air Patrol, Illinois Wing, Des Plaines Science Prodigies,
Destination ImagiNation of Illinois, Gateway Traveler Information System, Illinois Section American Society of Civil Engineers, Optical Society of Chicago, Packer Engineering, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois and The Women of Engineering.

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