Hands-on Science
Explore STEAM up close with hands-on activities!
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Fish You Well: Using Zebrafish to Study Development and Disease
Saturday, April 13, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Third Floor, West Wing
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
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Geometrical Shapes and Physics
Saturday, April 13, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 3202
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.
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Get Your Hands Dirty: The Science of Soil Judging
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 13, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 3202
Sunday, April 14, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 3202
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
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Go with the Flow: Exploring the Movement of Water!
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 13, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202
Sunday, April 14, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202
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!
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Goofy Goggles
Saturday, April 13, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2130
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.
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Greater Lansing’s Saginaw Aquifer in a Cup
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 13, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202
Sunday, April 14, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202
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!
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Hidden Water
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 13, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202
Sunday, April 14, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202
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.
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How Science Tackles 'Zombie' Molecules
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 13, 3:00 - 3:30 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 1201
Sunday, April 14, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 1202
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.
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From Door Knobs to Phone Screens: Identifying Microbial Contaminants in Daily Life
Sunday, April 14, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 1202
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.
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From Sticky Hairs to Spines: Exploring the Hidden World of Plants
Sunday, April 14, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 1202
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!
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