Hands-on Science

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Model a nucleus with magnetic marbles for protons and neutrons, then shatter it to bits like the scientists at MSU's Facility for Rare Isotope Beams! FRIB is a world-class facility for producing and researching rare isotopes that are nonexistent on Earth. This is your chance to learn more about FRIB research and to create unique nuclei.

Learn more about A Smashing Time with Nuclei at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams

Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Let's explore collisions from various perspectives. From tabletop demonstrations, microscopic observations, and computer simulations our exploration will reveal the conservation of momentum in each collision. By aggregating numerous collisions, we'll illustrate diffusion—an essential phenomenon in biology and chemistry. A simulation featuring a bacterial cell will demonstrate how diffusion influences molecules of diverse shapes and sizes.

Learn more about A Crash Course on Molecular Diffusion

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and the Leslie Science and Nature Center showcase a variety of STEM-based activities for folks of all ages to explore. From understanding magnetism to creating invisible objects, there is a whole world to discover right at our station.

Learn more about Activities with Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum and Leslie Science and Nature Center

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

We have a lot of water in the world, but very little of it is safe to drink. Stop by our booth and find out how you can protect the water from your tap to the Great Lakes and beyond! Join us for a water trivia game and watch a visually dazzling groundwater model of how our water is connected above and below ground. We will also offer tips on how you can be a water steward.

Learn more about All Water Is Connected and Ours to Protect

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Animals are amazing! From spots to stripes and horns to teeth, animals are equipped with a wonderful array of adaptations to help them survive in the wild. Join Potter Park Zoo as we explore skulls, pelts, antlers, horns, and teeth and learn about some of the fascinating, cool, and sometimes weird physical and behavioral adaptations found in the animal kingdom.

Learn more about Amazing Animal Adaptations

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

It’s time for the toys to get a check-up! Play with stuffed animals to learn how brain scans are conducted.

Learn more about Animal Brain Scanner

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Compare structures across species and be amazed by what you find!

Learn more about Animal Brains

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

The Aquatic Adventures program at Fenner Nature Center teaches students about wetland ecology through hands-on exploration of aquatic flora and fauna. Equipped with collection and identification tools, students delve into the world of aquatic macro-invertebrates at various life stages, study adaptations enabling wetland plants to thrive, and encounter cold-blooded inhabitants residing in wetland ecosystems.

Learn more about Aquatic Adventures

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Interested in learning more about bird eggs and nesting behaviors of Michigan birds? Bird eggs have their unique shape, size, and coloring depending on the species. Join Michigan Audubon to explore their hands-on bird egg display. Learn about different types of bird nests, and pick up some new vocabulary. Can you match the bird to its egg?

Learn more about Bird "Egg"stravaganza

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age

Would you like to know more about our feathered friends and how you can lend them a hand? The W. K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary has been protecting bird populations since 1928, and we would love for you to join us! Come visit our booth to discover more about the Bird Sanctuary, try eating like a bird, and learn how you can help birds in your own backyard.

Learn more about Birds, Bugs, and Seeds: Food Webs in Action

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Relax with neuroscience-themed coloring and games!

Learn more about Brain Break with MSU Neuroscientists

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join MSU neuroscientists to build a brain hat to take home!

Learn more about Build Your Own Brain Hat!

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), microscopic roundworms, serve as potent model organisms in biological research. Their cost-effectiveness, rapid growth, and transparent nature make them valuable for observing anatomy and development. Despite their small size, at 1 mm long, C. elegans offer vital insights into molecular and cellular processes, gene regulation, and function, sharing multiple organ systems and genes with humans. In this program, students will observe C. elegans' movement in various environmental chemicals and extract DNA from strawberries, illustrating fundamental genetic concepts.

Learn more about C. elegans: The Tiny Worm with a Big Impact

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

You’ve heard that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell, but what is the cell’s recycling center? Come explore Cell City, where you can learn what jobs each organelle does to keep the cell running smoothly. Afterward, MSU Cell and Molecular Biology graduate students will introduce you to real microscopic plant, animal, and bacterial cells so you can see the world of cells for yourself!

Learn more about Cell City: The Diversity of Cellular Life

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

This presentation will discuss the chemistry associated with the human senses of vision, smell, and taste. Poster presentations will provide scientific principles behind the human senses while hands-on activities will keep kids of all ages involved and engaged!

Learn more about Chemistry and the Human Senses

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Color different structures on plaster brains and take them home with you!

Learn more about Color a Brain

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

A range of interactive activities will be available at the Michigan State Campus Archaeology Program's table at Science Fest 2024 to educate attendees about the field of archaeology and the process of generating knowledge about previous human civilizations through material culture. Participants in Science Fest will have the opportunity to observe exhibits from CAP's digs on the MSU campus, reconstruct ceramic vessels, identify objects, and gain knowledge about stratigraphy, excavation, and laboratory work related to archaeology. Visit us to see how archaeologists decipher historical evidence left by others!

Learn more about Digging The Past: Learning Through Artifacts with MSU’s Campus Archaeology Program

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Coastlines are extremely dynamic systems, making them vulnerable to storms, changes in water level, and human disturbances. Understanding coastal erosion in the Great Lakes is imperative to protecting Michigan’s beloved beaches and the economic, recreational, and environmental benefits we all depend on. Coastal scientists use drones, iPads, and remote-controlled boats equipped with the latest geospatial technology to map changes in coastlines to better understand the constantly changing landscape and find solutions to our most critical questions.

Learn more about Dip Your Toes Into the Shifting Sands of Michigan's Beaches

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Dive into the intricate world of the organ that makes you unique: the brain! This hands-on experience welcomes participants of all ages to examine brain slices and practice mounting rat brain sections onto slides. Explore your handiwork under the microscope to gain insights into the brain's structure and how distinct regions contribute to regulating various behaviors. Join us to discover the limitless potential within your brain!

Learn more about Discover the Limitless Potential of Your Brain!

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

See how a neuroscientists dress for work. Pretend you are a neuroscientist and take pictures!

Learn more about Dress Like a Neuroscientist

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Modular origami or unit origami is a two-stage paper folding technique in which several, or sometimes many, sheets of paper are first folded into individual modules or units and then assembled into an integrated flat shape or three-dimensional structure. Making modular origami is an enjoyable activity that helps develop hand-eye coordination and attention to detail, enhances geometrical reasoning and mathematical learning, and fosters emotional development, such as perseverance and teamwork. The Japanese Studies Program staff and student volunteers want to share with you the joy of making origami!

Learn more about Experience the Joys of Modular Origami

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

When we spend time in nature, our attention is drawn to the obvious elements such as rivers, trees, birds, and flowers. It's easy to overlook the intricate world teeming at ground level. The forest floor continually receives organic additions like sticks and leaves, fostering a dynamic microcosm with various small organisms. Davison Township Parks will introduce you to this miniature ecosystem, guiding you on how to replicate and explore it in your backyard, schoolyard, or local park.

Learn more about Explore the Tiny World Beneath Our Feet

Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

The Plant Cell Atlas is a community of researchers working to understand and map plant cells and inspire the next generation of students. At the Plant Cell Atlas booth, you can use microscopes to explore plant cells and enter a raffle to win a digital microscope. While visiting our booth, learn about Dr. Marie Clark Taylor, the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in botany from Fordham University. Dr. Taylor was also a pioneering science educator and popularized the study of live plant cells under microscopes in classrooms.

Learn more about Exploring Plant Cells

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Dive into the world of plant pathogens with S.P.O.R.E. (Student Phytopathological Organization for Research and Education) at Michigan State University. Our plant pathology graduate student organization welcomes all ages to explore various plant pathogenic microorganisms and their symptomatic host plants. Discover the historical and agricultural significance of plant diseases in Michigan. The first 100 participants aged 18 and under will receive free magnifying specimen jars!

Learn more about Fantastic Plant Diseases & Where to Find Them – Exploring Plant Pathology with S.P.O.R.E.

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Our exhibition highlights the zebrafish as a captivating animal model for basic and translational research purposes. Zebrafish possess distinctive characteristics such as transparent embryos and rapid external development, which contributes to their usefulness in various research inquiries, particularly the progression of an organism from an egg to an adult. We will present interactive activities for all ages, including the opportunity to observe zebrafish embryos at different developmental stages, track the movement of food through a live zebrafish's digestive system, select fish with specific traits, and gain knowledge on how we can modify the zebrafish's DNA using a tool called CRISPR.

Learn more about Fish You Well: Using Zebrafish to Study Development and Disease

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Problem: How can we obtain the maximum area of a polygon whose edge lengths are fixed? This is a well-known mathematical puzzle were we will demonstrate an experimental solution that takes into account the physics of force balance. This mathematical issue will be demonstrated by using a bike pump and a bike tube that has plastic tubes wrapped around it! Based on the common-sense understanding that water takes up the maximum volume permitted, the desired shape will naturally arise if we visualize a polygonal garden pool with movable sides! The outcome is the "experimental" demonstration of a well-known geometric theorem.

Learn more about Geometrical Shapes and Physics

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Soil judging has long been an essential field technique that many have utilized for interpreting what the land can best be used for. As soil judgers, we enter into soil pits to analyze the vast qualities that our soils have within them and with this delineation we can reach conclusions for uses such as agriculture, construction, and conservation. Soil judging communities exist all throughout the nation in our collegiate teams and throughout the world in our international teams. Being able to read and interpret the land can provide a connection with nature, a network of people who appreciate the science, and a great skill.

Learn more about Get Your Hands Dirty: The Science of Soil Judging

Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Explore how Earth’s water systems are connected through the flow of water! In this interactive exhibit, participants will engage with physical models and digital demonstrations to explore how water moves through the environment Participants can pour water onto a 3D printed landscape and watch how it makes its way downstream, digitally place a drop of water somewhere in the U.S. and follow its path to the ocean, and observe how water moves along Earth’s surface as we add water to physical model.

Learn more about Go with the Flow: Exploring the Movement of Water!

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Complete tasks while wearing vision-altering goggles and learn more about sight.

Learn more about Goofy Goggles

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

We use water for many conveniences, like laundry machines, dishwashers, showers, and faucets, without ever stopping to think about where all that water comes from. All of the water in the tri-county area of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties is subsurface. We all depend heavily on groundwater, whether it comes from a public utility or a private well. Join us as we construct the Saginaw Aquifer in a cup and discover everything there is to know about groundwater!

Learn more about Greater Lansing’s Saginaw Aquifer in a Cup

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

The average American uses more than 2,000 gallons of water per day, and only about 100 of those gallons end up in the drain. What about the remaining 1,900? We use about 95% of our water for "hidden water," or the water needed to make the goods and services we use daily, like our electricity, clothes, and even coffee in the morning. Discover the water footprint of commonplace items and how "hidden water" is vital to all facets of our existence.

Learn more about Hidden Water

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Look at real human brains with neuroscientists from MSU!

Learn more about Human Brains!

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Our health is impacted by gene-environment interactions in several ways. We must comprehend how this process operates so that we can make wise decisions about our health. People can better understand how genes and environment can impact health by playing the computer game Sand Rat. To plan and conduct an investigation to determine how sand rats can develop diabetes when fed sugary lab food, participants use the online sand-rat simulation.

Learn more about Investigate How Sugary Foods Affect Our Health

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Visit the Water and Life Interface Institute booth to explore the fascinating world of life without water! Enjoy astronaut ice cream samples, create a seed necklace, examine rare resurrection plants, observe water bears under a microscope, and understand the science behind studying organisms that endure extreme dehydration, including plants, animals, and fungi. (Nondairy astronaut foods will also be provided.)

Learn more about Life Without Water

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Semiconductor chips are becoming increasingly smaller with greater computation capabilities. Lithography, a chemical/physical process, forms intricate patterns on chips by depositing materials through masks. In our daily lives, a parallel concept is found in screen printing graphic artworks on canvases or t-shirts. Engage in a hands-on activity to grasp lithography fundamentals using affordable materials like cardstock stencils and paint. Additionally, observe micropatterns created on chips in the lab using an optical microscope.

Learn more about Lithography: How Chemists Make Tiny Computer Chips

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Learn about the different parts of neurons and use craft supplies to make your own to take home.

Learn more about Make a Neuron

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Since April 2020, MI Diaries has been gathering weekly "audio diaries" from Michigan residents through a mobile app. In partnership with Inquiry Arts, we showcase the process of collecting, sharing, and linguistically analyzing these stories. Visitors will explore word choice and pronunciation variations, and they will have the opportunity to contribute their own stories to the project.

Learn more about MI Diaries: Tell Your Story for Linguistic Analysis

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age

Mi Water Source! Enviroscape Education Demonstration strives to heighten awareness about water importance and health protection. Using an interactive 3D model, the program illustrates how daily activities can lead to water pollution and contamination. Emphasizing the impact on drinking water sources like surface water and groundwater, the demonstration guides students on reducing these effects to safeguard both water quality and public health.

Learn more about Mi Water Source! Enviroscape Education Demonstration

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Come learn about the importance of mindfulness for our health and do a short, guided meditation with MSU neuroscientists!

Learn more about Mindfulness with Neuroscientists

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Join neuroscientists to try and trace a shape by looking at only your reflection!

Learn more about Mirror Tracing

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

This is your chance to “go inside” the body, identifying bones, organs, and systems! The Anatomage Table is the only fully segmented real human 3D anatomy platform and is the most technologically advanced 3D anatomy visualization and virtual dissection tool. You'll get a chance to view and interact with the other 3D visualizations, including reptiles, mammals, birds, and even see inside a scanned mummy!

Learn more about Blood, Bones, and Brains: Inside the Body with the Anatomage 3D Table at MSU Libraries

Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals that have been used for more than five decades. They are in our food packages, clothes, water, cars (even new electric vehicles), food, cleaning products, and so much more. It is nearly impossible to not be exposed to PFAS, which lasts a long time in the environment and in our bodies. And, unfortunately, humans and animals can face health problems like cancer from PFAS. We are going to show how science can be used to remove PFAS from humans and the environment.

Learn more about How Science Tackles 'Zombie' Molecules

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age

Explore the science of optics and photonics through presentations, demonstrations, and conducting science on site. We'll discover the applications of optics in our daily life, from cameras, LCD displays, and 3-D movies to optical communications. Our interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities will explain interesting optical phenomena, including light transmission and reflection, polarization, and lasers.

Learn more about Exploring the Science of Light

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Movement plays an important role in our life--from everyday activities like walking, to activities like sports or dance that require years and years of practice. But do you know how well you move? In this presentation, find out how technology can be used to understand how to measure human movement and motor skills, and how we can also use this knowledge to help people with movement impairments.

Learn more about Are You the Next Olympic Athlete? Measuring Motor Skill in Health and Disease

Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

What started as a puzzle for map makers turned into a famous mathematical problem that went unsolved for over 150 years, until a computer solved it. As participants solve this problem by coloring in a map of the U.S., they will get familiar with a fun and different area of math often not taught in school: graph theory. From sudoku puzzles to GPS navigation, this math powers some of the most exciting computer programs in use today.

Learn more about Coloring, Creative Math, and Computers

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

To save the day, you must get past the robots protecting their command center. You must get as many units past the guards as you can because their movements are dictated by a secret set of instructions (an algorithm). With known performance levels, we have created multiple sets of defender strategies for various environments. In this interactive exhibit, participants will learn about algorithm design and analysis while seeing how well they can perform against our strategies.

Learn more about Defeat the Robots! Save the Day by Outwitting the Robot Guards!

Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Physician assistant (PA) students will lead participants through a brief case study on sprained ankles, a common injury, especially in young athletes. Starting with a patient checklist, participants progress through stations. The first involves learning the history-taking process for the presented patient and ordering an x-ray. At the second station, participants interpret x-ray results, gaining knowledge about their use and safety and basic foot/ankle anatomy. The third station covers essential care for a sprained ankle (RICE and taping). Additionally, participants gain insights into the PA's role in medicine, with prompts for basic medical questions related to a common injury.

Learn more about Explore What It's Like to Be a Physician Assistant

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Michigan State University’s Nano-Biosensors Lab will demonstrate the processes used to isolate and detect microbial contaminants. This will be done through presenting bacterial strains in petri dishes. The color, size, and grouping are different for each species of bacteria. Swabs of everyday objects like phones, doorknobs, or bathroom stalls will also be grown on petri dishes. This will allow people to identify which microbes they encounter daily and the differences in their appearance. Additionally, the demonstration will include the process of using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and gold nanoparticles (GNPs) to capture and detect the presence of bacterial contaminants present in everyday encounters. The MNPs allow for the capturing of bacteria through its magnetic properties. The colorimetric properties of GNPs allow for detection of target bacteria.

Learn more about From Door Knobs to Phone Screens: Identifying Microbial Contaminants in Daily Life

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

Why do leaves have hairs? How can a carnivorous plant catch its prey? Learn how botanists answer these questions with the MSU Herbarium. Join us as we take a closer look at the diversity of plant adaptations using botanical specimens. Visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to look through microscopes at the hidden world of plants! Learn how to mount and take home your herbarium specimen!

Learn more about From Sticky Hairs to Spines: Exploring the Hidden World of Plants

Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above

MSU scientists have innovated soft and implantable fibers capable of delivering light to major nerves throughout the body. By genetically manipulating these nerves to respond to light, these fibers can transmit pulses of light to inhibit pain. Notably, the optical fibers exhibit flexibility and can stretch with the body, showcasing a breakthrough in pain management technology.

Learn more about Material Science and Medicine: How Optical Fibers Can Inhibit Pain