Children in the Eugene-Springfield area will have the opportunity to explore games, problem-solving activities, crafts and other hands-on math activities at the Eugene Youth Math Festival in McArthur Court Saturday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The festival, now in its fifth year, offers 50 different activity stations for elementary and middle school students ages 5-14. Students can explore their interest in math by solving ciphers, building 3D shapes, conducting experiments, playing strategy and board games, and more.

“I think it’s important for members of the community to see the university as a resource that’s available to them,” says Nicholas Proudfoot, math professor and head of the University of Oregon Department of Mathematics. “Kids in Eugene can come to campus and see that math is a vast, open-ended subject. It’s not just the rote stuff they might be learning in school. A lot of things fall under the heading of math.”

Staffed by volunteers and funded by the UO Department of Mathematics and the National Science Foundation, the event is free to the public. No registration is needed.

Festival organizers emphasize that volunteers at the event cannot take responsibility for unaccompanied children and recommend bringing snacks and water bottles for the kids. Signed photo releases are required for entry, as anyone attending the event may have their photo taken for promotional or educational purposes.