Military Family Day Recap

Posted on: December 16, 2014  |  Posted in: Community Blog

On November 9, more than 700 military-connected individuals attended a FREE day of family fun and science at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. In an effort to celebrate the sacrifices that military families give to our country, the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) partnered with the San Diego Military Family Collaborative and the Fleet Center to sponsor the day and give families a sneak-peek of the Smithsonian traveling exhibition Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code.

Families – from infants to retired military – were able to visit the Fleet Center at no charge, participate in genomics-focused, hands-on activities with scientists from local universities and organizations within the Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code exhibition, enjoy complimentary lunch, and receive information from close to 30 family resource providers representing  San Diego area organizations.

Dr. Carla Easter, Deputy Chief of the Education and Community Involvement Branch at NHGRI and who led the project on behalf of NHGRI, expressed her excitement over the success of day.  “The traveling exhibition has provided NHGRI with an opportunity to work hand in hand with local organizations where the exhibition is on view, and to bring the wonder of genomics into communities around the country.”

Joe Buehrle, SAY San Diego’s Coordinator of the San Diego Military Family Collaborative, remarked how incredible a day it was for local military families.  “This is the first time that the San Diego Military Family Collaborative has partnered with a federal agency and a science center.  It was incredible to watch more than 700 people from our military community enjoy a day together in Balboa Park.  This day reached our community.”

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL OF THE PHOTOS FROM THE DAY