HAYS – In keeping with Fort Hays State University’s “convert, don’t cancel” theme for this year, the annual Christmas show presented by the university’s STEM-ED Student Chapter will go on. Members of the STEM-Ed chapter are future mathematics and science teachers. 

Held indoors for the past 17 years, this year’s annual science demonstration, “The Polar Express,” is moving outdoors. The event, free of charge to the public, is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, in the west parking lot of Sternberg Museum of Natural History, 3000 Sternberg Drive, in northeast Hays. 

The event will follow COVID-19 guidelines, including wearing masks and 6-foot social distancing. Location cones will be set up for those who want to watch live outdoors, or people can watch the live video broadcast from their cars. They can listen to audio at www.fhsu.edu/smei, where the entire event will be livestreamed.

Viewers will learn the workings of the Polar Express through means of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) – how steam powers an engine, how reindeer fly and how Santa gets all the toys in his bag and powers his sleigh.