Mayday, mayday — or rather, May Day! It’s May 1, folks, and the Betster is ready for some sun and fun! Looks like there’s plenty to be held around town this week—for details, check out these Best Bets!

BEST SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM BET: Kachemak Bay Campus hosts the annual Conservation Ecology Student Science Symposium on Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2. This two-day symposium marks the culmination of a semester of campus and fieldwork, providing students the opportunity to present their projects and engage in discussions about their research. It also invites the public to explore current trends in local conservation ecology. On Thursday, Semester by the Bay students will give presentations on their practicum projects, independent research projects, intertidal zone surveys and field studies. On Friday, attendees are invited to hear about the work done in intensive internships with Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Center for Alaska Coastal Studies, the NOAA Kasitsna Bay Laboratory, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service/Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, and KBBI. This event is free; all are invited to attend. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, call 907-235-1674. 533 E. Pioneer Ave.

BEST TIME TO STEP UP BET: The Homer “Steps Up” community walking challenge begins Thursday, May 1 and runs through May 28! New this year, there is no maximum team size. Three winning teams will earn cash prizes to donate to a local non-profit of their choice. Free to participate! For more information or to register, visit homerstepsup.com.

BEST ELECTRONICS RECYCLING BET: Help Cook Inletkeeper celebrate 20 years of hosting the annual Electronics Recycling Event by bringing your old electronics to SBS in Homer for recycling on Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.! Recycling will also be available in Soldotna on Saturday at the Central Peninsula Landfill from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and in Seward on Saturday, May 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Seward Transfer Facility. For more information, contact Cook Inletkeeper at recycle@inletkeeper.org. 3978 Lake St.

BEST PING PONG BASH BET: Join the City of Homer Community Recreation and Homer High School Ping Pong Club for the first annual Homer Ping Pong Tournament on Sunday, May 4 at 2 p.m. at HHS. A youth tournament will be held for kids in grades 6-12, and an open tournament will be held for 6th-grade youth to adults. Youth may participate in both tournaments. Prizes will be awarded for the top three finishers in each tournament. This is not a sanctioned event, but rather an opportunity to have some fun competition. For more information, visit https://www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/com-rec/ping-pong-tournament-may-4-2pm. 600 E. Fairview Ave.

BEST MOTHER’S DAY FAIR BET: The fifth annual Motherbird Fair will be held May 10-11 in the Upper Quarter Deck at Land’s End Resort. Featuring 35 local vendors, live music, a free crafting booth and free drawings, this event offers a variety of Alaskan vendors and delights. If you’re looking for a Mother’s Day gift or you’ve been enjoying the Shorebird Festival, stop by the fair starting at noon both days! For questions, call 907-299-4896. 4786 Homer Spit Road.