Missoula kids, and maybe even some future scientists, learned about nanotechnology at the Southgate Mall Kid's Fair Saturday.

Volunteers from AmeriCorp and the University of Montana's Spectrum Discovery Area manned the exhibit where kids were able to experience hands-on science with wheat germ DNA extraction, polymer chemistry, and super expansion gel.

Volunteer Amanda Spiegelberg says it's important for kids to know how fun science can be.

"It's always good for kids to know about their world that they're growing up in and interacting with,? said Spiegelberg. ?Then, obviously, when they're in school, it helps them because they see that there's actually some fun stuff to do with it."

Saturday?s booth at the kid's fair kicks off AmeriCorps Week. Their next event's a pot-luck at the Loft in downtown Missoula.