POCATELLO — Local kids are invited to get a hands-on lesson in rocket science.

On Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon, Idaho State University’s Department of Physics will host a Water Rocket Festival at Pocatello’s Tydeman Park, N. 8th Avenue and E. Young Street. Each day, the first 100 youth ages 16 years old and younger will receive the materials needed to construct a water rocket. From there, ISU students will explain the physics involved in making a good rocket and help the newly-minted water rocket scientists build and launch their handmade projectiles. The builder whose rocket travels the furthest will win their own water rocket launcher.

“The most fun way to learn science is to do science,” said Steve Shropshire, ISU physics professor. “Youth participating in the Water Rocket Festival will learn about Newton’s laws, mechanical energy, aerodynamics and more.”

The Water Rocket Festival is being held in conjunction with the Pocatello Kiwanis Club’s 54th annual Bing Hong Pancake Breakfast fundraiser.

For more information, contact Steve Shropshire at steveshropshire@isu.edu or 208-282-2212.

For more information on the ISU Department of Physics, visit isu.edu/physics.