Halloween cruise makes science fun for kids

From dry ice to slime, children will get their chance to learn about science this Halloween weekend. It’s all part of the Halloween Fun Science Kids Cruise, and it launches from Naples.

Glen Beitmen is a mild-mannered school science teacher by day, but by night he’ll headline as the scientist and entertainer for Saturday’s Pure Florida cruise.

“You can expect to see boo bubbles, things blowing up, skeletal systems, all kinds of crazy things like that,” Beitmen said.

Make no bones about it, it’s just as educational as it is fun.

“For the limited amount of families that we have space for onboard, each child is going to get their own lap science kit, and in that science kit are going to be three experiments they can do right in the comfort of their own seats and follow along with Mr. Glen,” said Merry Coffman, marketing and PR director for Pure Florida.

And families that can’t make it in-person can join in on Facebook Live.

“Parents at home can access the materials listed we’re going to provide to you,” Coffman said. “And they can go look through their house and gather the materials so they can follow along at home.”

This homespun scientific method will prove especially helpful during the pandemic.

“We can make anything work and we’re doing everything we can and we’re being absolutely safe,” Beitmen said. “We have the distance and that’s why we have so few people on the boat, because we want to keep our distance, but then also with the Facebook live, as many as people as they want to can join in.”