Approximately 750 elementary and middle school students are participating in “JASON Days: Infinite Potential,” a weeklong science program at Wichita State University through Friday, Oct. 2.

The event is part of the JASON project, a year-round scientific expedition created by explorer, Titantic discoverer and native Wichitan, Robert Ballard.

“JASON brings science alive by exposing students to real-world scientists and work they do in the field through hands-on exploration and discovery,” said Amy Strong, assistant director of the Fairmount Center for Science and Mathematics Education and JASON program manager. “Teachers love the event because of the exposure to science their students get.”

Teachers incorporate the JASON project curriculum, aligned with the National Science Education Standards, in their classrooms throughout the year. Each year WSU hosts JASON Days to give students the opportunity to meet active local scientists and apply what they’ve learned in different events.

This year’s program focuses on energy. In the showcase event, students will compete by designing a wind turbine. Students will create the turbine on a CD and power it from the CD drive.

In the theater event, WSU faculty members Jason Ferguson, Ward Jewell and Jan Twomey will join local scientists Ron Teel with ICM Inc. and Tim Bobb with Westar Energy in discussing their jobs and how they prepared for their careers.

“It’s a great learning experience and a lot of fun for the students,” said Strong. WSU’s participation in the JASON Project is supported financially by senior sponsors Toyota USA Foundation and The Boeing Co. Additional support comes from Excel/Cargill Cares, the Cargill Contributions Committee and the Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation.

WSU’s Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences houses the JASON Project, along with the Fairmount Center for Science and Mathematics Education.