San Diego--Get ready to celebrate the explosive finale of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center's annual virtual fundraiser event, Science Is Everywhere, on Thursday, June 2, 2016.

Rather than holding a stuffy gala, the Fleet created a virtual event so that all San Diegans can be part of the fun. The theme, Science Is Everywhere, was selected to create awareness that science doesn't just live in a lab. It surrounds everyone, everywhere.

For the last seven weeks, the Fleet has been challenging all San Diegans to share the science in their lives through a countywide science photo scavenger hunt. The photo challenges asked participants to snap photos of science they encounter in their day to day lives. Prizes are given out for each photo challenge, and once a minimum amount of photos or donations are collected for each challenge, a new challenge is opened up.

Challenge #1 explored Pareidolia, a phenomenon where we humans seem neurologically wired to find patterns, including patterns that look like a face. We see faces in all sorts of unusual places, such as the front grill of a car or in the folds of a tree trunk. Challenge #2 asked participants to discover fractals, or patterns that repeat at different scales. These can be found in nature as branching patterns that appear in rivers, lightning or the veins of leaves, or in spirals that can be seen in seashells, galaxies and other swirly objects. The final challenge involved bubbles, or any situation where a pocket of gas is trapped in a liquid or solid. This includes carbon dioxide bubbles in soda, sea foam in a wave or pockets of air caught in glass.

Participants snapped photos for each challenge and posted their pictures on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #ScienceIsEverywhere.

The top five photos from each challenge are featured in an exhibit at the Fleet and the photographers received a four-pack of tickets to the Fleet. Participants could also fast-track a challenge by wielding their wallet in place of a camera and making a donation of $10 or more to the Fleet, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

See the pictures submitted for the challenges here: http://supportfleetscience.org/whats-new/.

On Thursday, June 2, starting at 6:30 p.m., the Fleet will announce the grand prize winner and unlock a truly explosive experience via Facebook. The Fleet invites challenge participants as well as the general public to witness and share the power of science during the social media event. "Like" the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center on Facebook ahead of time to ensure you get the notification for the event when it happens live on Facebook.

As another way to celebrate the finale of the virtual fundraiser, the Fleet has organized a special edition of their popular program Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar. Join the Fleet at 25 different bars, pubs and breweries around San Diego to interact with scientists, ask science questions and snap a picture for social media, posting it with the hashtag #2scientists. The event takes place on Thursday, June 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Visit http://www.rhfleet.org/events/two-scientists-walk-bar for the complete list of locations and scientific specialties. The scientists will be easy to spot; they will have signs that read: "We are scientists. Ask us anything!"  

Whether San Diegans head out to join the Two Scientists fun or opt to stay in, everyone can experience the Science Is Everywhere finale on Facebook.

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center inspires San Diegans to lean into the world of science through immersive programs, hands-on demonstrations, interactive experiences and exciting events. The Fleet works with science organizations in local communities to create a network dedicated to supporting science within neighborhoods. The work sparks passion, fosters interest and inspires communities to deepen their appreciation for science.

"We believe science is in everything, and education is the starting point for discovery and curiosity," said Steve Snyder, CEO of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. "All the experiences we create are designed to bring out the inner scientist in everyone and facilitate learning beyond classrooms. Our interactive learning and social experiences inspire people of all ages to become problem solvers, inventors and innovators in their communities."

The Fleet believes science is for all ages. The science center tailors dynamic and engaging social events countywide for adults who are curious and passionate about science. IMAX films, interactive exhibits and the planetarium shows create unforgettable and inspiring memories for the entire family. The Fleet also provides professional development workshops, resources and lesson plans to educators, making science more exciting throughout the school year.

The goal for the annual Fundraiser is $125,000. All proceeds go to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center to help the Fleet continue to connect people of all ages to the possibilities and power of science to create a better future.

For more information about Science Is Everywhere, please visit: http://supportfleetscience.org/.

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To schedule an interview with the Fleet Science Center regarding Science Is Everywhere, please contact Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Public Relations Manager Nathan Young at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org.San Diego--May 27, 2016--Get ready to celebrate the explosive finale of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center's annual virtual fundraiser event, Science Is Everywhere, on Thursday, June 2, 2016.

Rather than holding a stuffy gala, the Fleet created a virtual event so that all San Diegans can be part of the fun. The theme, Science Is Everywhere, was selected to create awareness that science doesn't just live in a lab. It surrounds everyone, everywhere.

For the last seven weeks, the Fleet has been challenging all San Diegans to share the science in their lives through a countywide science photo scavenger hunt. The photo challenges asked participants to snap photos of science they encounter in their day to day lives. Prizes are given out for each photo challenge, and once a minimum amount of photos or donations are collected for each challenge, a new challenge is opened up.

Challenge #1 explored Pareidolia, a phenomenon where we humans seem neurologically wired to find patterns, including patterns that look like a face. We see faces in all sorts of unusual places, such as the front grill of a car or in the folds of a tree trunk. Challenge #2 asked participants to discover fractals, or patterns that repeat at different scales. These can be found in nature as branching patterns that appear in rivers, lightning or the veins of leaves, or in spirals that can be seen in seashells, galaxies and other swirly objects. The final challenge involved bubbles, or any situation where a pocket of gas is trapped in a liquid or solid. This includes carbon dioxide bubbles in soda, sea foam in a wave or pockets of air caught in glass.

Participants snapped photos for each challenge and posted their pictures on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #ScienceIsEverywhere.

The top five photos from each challenge are featured in an exhibit at the Fleet and the photographers received a four-pack of tickets to the Fleet. Participants could also fast-track a challenge by wielding their wallet in place of a camera and making a donation of $10 or more to the Fleet, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

See the pictures submitted for the challenges here: http://supportfleetscience.org/whats-new/.

On Thursday, June 2, starting at 6:30 p.m., the Fleet will announce the grand prize winner and unlock a truly explosive experience via Facebook. The Fleet invites challenge participants as well as the general public to witness and share the power of science during the social media event. "Like" the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center on Facebook ahead of time to ensure you get the notification for the event when it happens live on Facebook.

As another way to celebrate the finale of the virtual fundraiser, the Fleet has organized a special edition of their popular program Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar. Join the Fleet at 25 different bars, pubs and breweries around San Diego to interact with scientists, ask science questions and snap a picture for social media, posting it with the hashtag #2scientists. The event takes place on Thursday, June 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Visit http://www.rhfleet.org/events/two-scientists-walk-bar for the complete list of locations and scientific specialties. The scientists will be easy to spot; they will have signs that read: "We are scientists. Ask us anything!"  

Whether San Diegans head out to join the Two Scientists fun or opt to stay in, everyone can experience the Science Is Everywhere finale on Facebook.

The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center inspires San Diegans to lean into the world of science through immersive programs, hands-on demonstrations, interactive experiences and exciting events. The Fleet works with science organizations in local communities to create a network dedicated to supporting science within neighborhoods. The work sparks passion, fosters interest and inspires communities to deepen their appreciation for science.

"We believe science is in everything, and education is the starting point for discovery and curiosity," said Steve Snyder, CEO of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. "All the experiences we create are designed to bring out the inner scientist in everyone and facilitate learning beyond classrooms. Our interactive learning and social experiences inspire people of all ages to become problem solvers, inventors and innovators in their communities."

The Fleet believes science is for all ages. The science center tailors dynamic and engaging social events countywide for adults who are curious and passionate about science. IMAX films, interactive exhibits and the planetarium shows create unforgettable and inspiring memories for the entire family. The Fleet also provides professional development workshops, resources and lesson plans to educators, making science more exciting throughout the school year.

The goal for the annual Fundraiser is $125,000. All proceeds go to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center to help the Fleet continue to connect people of all ages to the possibilities and power of science to create a better future.

For more information about Science Is Everywhere, please visit: http://supportfleetscience.org/.

# # #

To schedule an interview with the Fleet Science Center regarding Science Is Everywhere, please contact Reuben H. Fleet Science Center Public Relations Manager Nathan Young at 619-685-5743 or nyoung@rhfleet.org.