Hands-on Science
Explore STEAM up close with hands-on activities!
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Human Brains!
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
Look at real human brains with neuroscientists from MSU!
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Investigate How Sugary Foods Affect Our Health
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 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
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Life Without Water
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
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.)
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Lithography: How Chemists Make Tiny Computer Chips
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
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
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Make a Neuron
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
Learn about the different parts of neurons and use craft supplies to make your own to take home.
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MI Diaries: Tell Your Story for Linguistic Analysis
Saturday, April 13, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 3106 & 3107
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
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Mi Water Source! Enviroscape Education Demonstration
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
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
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Mindfulness with Neuroscientists
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
Come learn about the importance of mindfulness for our health and do a short, guided meditation with MSU neuroscientists!
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Mirror Tracing
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
Join neuroscientists to try and trace a shape by looking at only your reflection!
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Material Science and Medicine: How Optical Fibers Can Inhibit Pain
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
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