Area students attend AquaFest at WSC

WAYNE — Fifth graders from Northeast Nebraska enjoyed learning about all aspects of water on May 11 and May 12. Over 340 fifth grade students from 14 schools from all over Northeast Nebraska traveled to Wayne State College campus May 11 and 12 for AquaFest 2026.

The AquaFest event kicked off with a fun session all about bubbles. The Bubbelogy session is where students learn the science behind how bubbles are formed and even have the opportunity to be enclosed in a giant bubble.

Monday’s keynote speaker was Taylor Nicolaisen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service at the Omaha/Valley Weather Forecast Office.

Tuesday’s keynote speaker was Jennifer Clason also with the National

Weather Service. Both keynote addresses featured fun and interesting facts about weather along with basic weather safety and preparedness.

Following the keynote address, students were able to attend four breakout sessions. Information presented included We All Live in a Watershed, Water Rockets, Helpful Hydrogels, and an “Oasis in Space” Planetarium Show.