UO Team Duckling, a group of developmental science labs at the UO, is joining the Science Factory Children’s Museum & Exploration Dome for the third annual Living Lab Day.

On Saturday, Feb. 18, families in the Eugene/Springfield community are invited to experience a day of fun and research-inspired activities, and participate in studies to help make new discoveries in developmental science. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m; see the Science Factory website for admission fees.

The Living Lab model, funded through NSF, aims to connect and educate the public about child development by collaborating with museums and local research institutions. This allows museum visitors to have a first-hand immersive experience in the scientific discovery process while letting UO researchers collect data as part of the event.

Team Duckling has collaborated with the Science Factory since 2013. Team Duckling student volunteers help out on the first Friday of each month at the Science Factory’s Tot Day, and the annual Living Lab Day offers another opportunity to showcase UO developmental science.

Living Lab Day is open to the public and features a number of opportunities for families and children to connect with UO professors, graduate students and undergraduate research assistants while engaged in fun, hands-on science activities. Research labs from cognitive neuroscience, psychology and linguistics will be represented at the event.