Baltimore, MD - UMBC presents MINDFEST on Saturday April 15, the fifth annual open house for the Baltimore and Washington community. MINDFEST promises fun and adventure for the entire family with dozens of events from storytelling to musical performances, special presentations, tours and more. Visitors are invited to join students, faculty, and members of the community in a celebration of the power of ideas and information.

Highlights include Chessfest, with a match between the UMBC Chess Team and the University of Texas at Dallas; Diplomat for a Day where participants can act in simulations of diplomatic debate with the UMBC Model United Nations team; a chance to observe a rare peregrine falcon up close; the Kuhn Gallery Curator's Tour which will take visitors through the experimental exhibition "Framing the Exhibition: Multiple Constructions;" activities for children, like face-painting and hands-on science; and readings of poetry and short fiction by local authors such as Rafael Alvarez of the Baltimore Sun.

Visitors can learn about ecology, poetry, social behavior, observations of earth from space, popular culture, the Web, performance, animation, eco-systems and more! Plus visitors will have a chance to explore the leading cutting-edge research labs across campus on personal tours of facilities open to the public.

Presentations will be peppered throughout the Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery, UMBC's center of discovery. Guest speakers and professors will address a myriad of issues like the possibilities of computer and human interactivity; advanced techniques for the conservation of species; how to build a web site; and why the French Revolution still matters today.

MINDFEST is a free event open to the public. Free public parking is available and the event is wheelchair accessible. For more information, or to request a brochure detailing the events please contact 410/455-2065 or visit www.umbc.edu/mindfest.