Parents are constantly bombarded with conflicting messages about germs and cleanliness. On the one hand, the news headlines warning about "superbugs." On the other hand, there is growing concern that over-cleaning and excessive hygiene may weaken children's immune systems. There is real science available to help us understand how to best protect, without overprotecting, our kids.

As part of this free family day, Dr. Harley Rotbart will speak about germ proofing your kids. In addition, his book will be available after the talk for purchase. Families will have opportunities to visit the infectious diseases exhibit and learn more about the germs and bacteria living in and around us.

The Office of Cultural Programs will also offer a guided tour of An Iconography of Contagion at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Learn more about 20th-century public health posters during this 30 minute guided tour. The tour is best suited for ages 13 and above. Please contact them at arts@nas.edu for more information.

Dr. Harley Rotbart, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at The University of Colorado and The Children's Hospital of Denver, has answers for parents' germ dilemmas. Dr. Rotbart, Professor and Vice Chairman of Pediatrics, and Professor of Microbiology, has practiced, researched, and taught germ defense for the past 25 years. His new book, Germ Proof Your Kids: The Complete Guide to Protecting (without Overprotecting) Your Family from Infections (ASM Press, Washington, D.C., 2008), is a resource for parents and health care providers to help put science back into the discussion of protecting kids from microscopic dangers. In addition to evaluating the traditional approaches to infection prevention (vaccines, antibiotics, etc.), Dr. Rotbart also analyzes the science behind Mom's advice about the effects of hygiene, nutrition, sleep, stress, exercise, and even wearing boots in the rain on kids' infection risks.

For more information please contact ksm@nas.edu or call 202-334-1201.

This program is made possible by a Science Education Partnership (SEPA) grant from the National Center for Research Resources, a component of the National Institutes of Health.

Museum Location Located at the corner of 6th and E Streets, NW in downtown Washington, DC the Marian Koshland Science Museum is within walking distance of the National Mall, two Metro stations, the Verizon Center, and several other museums and attractions.