Spider conference to host casual night with arachnids event
NEWARK -Spider enthusiasts will soon come crawling to Newark from all over the world for the American Arachnological Society Conference. Better known as the “Spider Conference,” the annual June gathering brings together members of the American Arachnological Society (AAS) for several days at The Ohio State University at Newark.
More than 100 experts from across the nation and other countries will meet to discuss the latest issues and research in the world of spiders. One of the main highlights of the conference will be when doors open to the public during the Casual Night with Arachnids event held Sunday, June 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Ohio State Newark in the John Gilbert Reese Center. The free event hosts a wide variety of spider-themed activities and talks geared towards adults and children of all ages.
During the “Arachnoquestions” activity, Dr. Jerome Rovner of Ohio University will answer audience questions about spiders and correctly identify any species of spider that guests present to him. Activities in past years have included spider face painting, building spider houses for the garden, and a spider petting zoo. This year there will even be lessons on “spider physics.” The lesson focuses on the fascinating facts of how spiders use hydrostatic skeletons (skeletons filled with liquids) along with their exoskeleton to walk with eight legs. Spider enthusiasts wanting to meet other enthusiasts or anyone interested in spiders is encouraged to attend. The event is free and open to the public.
The research professional portion of the AAS conference will be held between Friday, June 20 and Wednesday, June 25 with members meeting for discussions on spiders, scorpions, and other arachnids. Conference attendees are expected from Taiwan, Mexico, Canada, Czech Republic, England, and the USA. More information on Casual Night with Arachnids is available at u.osu.edu/arachnids.
Category: Education
