"Yes, this is fun," Gomez said with an earnest nod. "I like the stars the best."

Gomez, a second grader at East Oakland Community Charter School, was one of 350 students and parents who participated in the second annual Family Science Night at Chabot's Space and Science Center. The Feb. 23 evening event was a collaboration between the interactive museum and the Oakland Parents Literacy Project.

She wasn't the only one having a good time. Boys and girls darted with excited voices from the biology lab to the planetarium, pulling parents behind with surprising force.

"We were here last year actually, and she was really excited to come back," said Maria Gomez, Karen's mom.

Families participated in activities such as telescope viewing, learning about stars and watching a presentation in the planetarium. The free event also included dinner and transportation.

East Oakland Community Charter, located in the Fruitvale neighborhood, is attended primarily by Latino children who don't often get up into the Oakland hills where Chabot is located, said Denise Geer, executive director of the Oakland Parents Literacy Project.

"The purpose of the event is to get children excited about science, and give students the opportunity to explore Chabot," Geer said. "A lot of schools don't get up to the hills to enjoy these beautiful facilities."

To accommodate families who speak little English, organizers presented in both English and Spanish. Children looked at the stars and planets on a night that was good for viewing Saturn.

The event drew about 200 people last year and was such a success that organizers decided this year to divide the families into two groups and expand the exhibits. The event lasted from 6 to 8 p.m.

"We're trying to give them a real overview of what we have to offer here, but it's pretty difficult in such little time," said Cynthia Ashley, project manager and member of special events at Chabot.

But the families didn't seem to have a problem getting a good crash course, thanks to children more than willing to tow their parents around.

"They're really enjoying themselves and we are too," said parent Maria Rodriguez. "I had no idea this place was even up here."