Rat Fact:

Rats have the second best sense of smell among animals, leaving dogs in their wake at the number nine slot. Only elephants have keener olfactory senses than our tiny mammal cousins.

A Night of Adult fUn for the kid at heart

Join SPICE for a not-to-be-missed evening of food, fun, science, and adorable Rodent Operated Vehicles. The SPICE Robo Rat Rally & Exposition is unlike any other fundraiser you will attend. Sit back and enjoy as the SPICE Junior Minions entertain you with explosive science or join in and try your hand at the Burning Bubble. Bid on one-of-a-kind auction items like “A Night of Science,” an all-expense paid dinner for you and four friends with distinguished UO research scientists including 2012 Physics Nobel-laureate David Wineland (who in addition to being brilliant, is just the nicest guy you’ll ever meet). Compete with your fellow attendees to secure the best treat in the Pi Day Pi Dash. Who will win the right to feast on the one and only Kraken Pie? Wrap up the night cheering on your favorite in the Robo Rat Rally. Which rambunctious rodent racer will take home the Golden Cheese Trophy?

Parking & Directions

Event Schedule

6:00 - Cocktails and Check in

6:30 - Introductions & Science Demonstration

6:55 - Round Robbin Rob Rat Rally Brackets Due

7:00 - Robo Rat Rally Round 1

7:15 - Science Demonstration & Director’s Keynote

7:30 - 7:35 - Silent Auction Tables Close

7:40 - Robo Rat Rally Round 2

8:00 - Dessert Parade & Auction

8:20 - Raffle Winners Announced, Live Auction, Giving Opportunity

8:30 - Science Demonstration & Human Torch

8:50 - Robo Rally Fina, Bracket Winners Announced

9:00 - Science Demonstration - End with a Boom!

Tickets

Tickets $25 for adults, $15 for the Hands On Science room for kids (ages 5-12), $45 VIP Ticket. Adult Admission includes:

• 1 Alcohol drink ticket (more can be purchased)

• Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks

• Refreshments (including hot protein)

• 1 free raffle ticket

VIP Ticket includes:

• 1 Alcohol drink ticket (more can be purchased)

• Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks

• Refreshments (including hot protein)

• 2 free raffle tickets

• Meet & Greet with the racers

Child Admission includes:

• Pizza & snacks

• Beverages

• Hands on Science activities

Robo Rat Rally

March 14th, 6:00pm

Willamette Hall

University of Oregon

1371 E 13th Avenue

spicescience@uoregon.edu

541 346-4313

Parking Directions

Rat Fact:

Humans and rats are more closely related than humans and dogs or humans and cats. The rat genome has corollaries to every significant human gene, which is part of what makes them such excellent models for studying diseases.

Refreshments

Hand Cut Fruit (vegan & gluten free)

Farmers Market Vegetable Platters (vegan & gluten free)

Antipasto Platter (contains milk & wheat)

Rodents Love Cheese Board (contains milk)

Hummus & Naan (vegetarian, contains milk, soy, wheat)

Spinach & Artichoke dip with tortilla chips (vegetarian, gluten free, contains milk, soy, wheat)

Chicken Skewers (contains soy & wheat)

Tempeh Skewers (vegan, gluten free, contains soy)

Vegetable Spring Rolls (vegan, contains soy, wheat)

Crab Corn Hushpuppies with Chilli Cream (gluten free, contains eg, milk, soy, shelfish)

Soda & Juice

Additional drink tickets for purchase. Beer & Wine $7, Cocktails & Liquor $10.

Rat Fact:

Despite stereotypes, rats are extremely clean animals who groom themselves and their companions constantly. Many rats enjoy swimming and bathing.

 Sponsorships

Sponsoring the Robo Rat Rally Gala and Expo is a great way to support girls in science AND get great exposure for your company. Imagine your graphic identity on one of the Rodent Operated Vehicles or on the Rally Track. Several sponsorship opportunities are available!

Rat Fact:

Rats experience complex emotions very similar to humans including playfulness, boredom, grief, and pride. They also enjoy being tickled.

Rat Fact:

Researchers and trainers believe that rats are as intelligent as dogs.

Auction & Raffle Items

Did we mention that you can bid on dinner with a Nobel-laureate? That’s not our only one-of-a-kind auction item! The Robo Rat Rally will feature a raffle, silent auction, live auction, Pi Day Pi Dash, and a number of unique experiential opportunities during the event.

Ever wanted be a Hollywood stunt technician? Bid on the “Human Torch” and the SPICE Junior minions will light you (safely) on fire.

Enjoy special Robo Rat themed cocktails served in test tubes (additional drink tickets available for purchase).

A full list of auction items can be found here on the auction page.

Meet the Racers

Rat Fact:

A group of rats is called a “mischief.” If you’ve ever had all your pens stolen because you didn’t have time to play spider hands, you know why.

Jumpin’ Janey-Jane - “The Hoarder”

Black and White Hooded Fancy Rat

Swagger is Jane’s middle name. She’ll steal your breakfast and charm you into giving her your lunch. Cool and calculating as a furry cucumber, Jane has been the ringleader of many a rodent heist. Her driving style is precise and focused. She’s not above tickling the competition into submission.

Razzel Dazzel – “The Natural”

Brown Berkshire Fancy Rat

Quick and tiny Dazzle, the smallest racer, boasts quick reaction times and unwaivering nerve. Dazzel started racing at the tender age of 5 weeks when she hijacked a car meant for Millie. Dazzel never waivers, though she can be convince to turn aside for chocolate.

Double Double Boil and Trouble – “The Explorer”

Agouti Berkshire Fancy Rat - Image Credit T. Stewart

Boasting the coat of her wild ancestors, Trouble is comes by her name naturally. This wild child of the race course just can resist leaping for joy. At jsut 4 weeks in age she made it her business to escape containment at every turn. Of course, she always made a beeline for the nearest human or yummy treat. Trouble has remarkable focus on the track, and is a competitor to beat.

Glorious Gilda Golucky – “The Sleeper”

Silver Hooded with red eyes Dumbo Rat- Image Credit T. Stewart

Loveable and lazy, Gilda is a snuggler at heart. She wants nothing more than to share a yummy snack with the hoo-mans she has adopted. Her imposing size hides a gentle heart and generous nature. Gilda prefers consistency in racing. She plots her path and maintains a steady pace. An enviable skill on an obstacle laden course.

Millie Milliwatt Millibar – “The Socialite”

Silver Dumbo Rat - Image Credit T. Stewart

Named for the late great, Mildred Spiewak Dresselhaus, Millie loves science and stardom, but she’s as down to earth as any celebrity can be. A few chin scritches and she’ll be your friend for life. A great fan of games like tag and spider hands, Millie’s preferred racing style is erratic and unpredictable. She likes to keep the competition on their toes.

Sponsors & Donors

Rat Fact:

2020 is the Year of the Metal Rat. In the Chinese Zodiac rats are associated with cleverness, creativity, and organization.

Rat Fact:

Brown rats (the wild version of pet fancy and dumbo rats) have spread to every continent except Antarctica. They share the crown of most successful mammal on the planet with humans.