STEAM Expo Days
Explore over one hundred hands-on activities, talks, and demonstrations at the festival's STEAM Expo Weekend on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12 from 11am - 4pm at the STEM Teaching and Learning Facility on MSU's campus.
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Fizzing Balloons and Mini Elephant Toothpaste: Chemistry Fun in Action!
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility First Floor, South Lobby
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above
Get ready for two exciting chemistry demonstrations! First, discover how to inflate a balloon without using your breath by mixing baking soda and vinegar. This fizzy reaction produces carbon dioxide gas that makes the balloon grow before your eyes. Then, watch the “elephant toothpaste” experiment, where a simple mix of hydrogen peroxide, yeast, and dish soap creates a towering, bubbly foam. Both activities use safe, everyday materials to showcase how chemical reactions release gases and energy. Kids will see science come alive with fizz, foam, and fun!
Learn more about Fizzing Balloons and Mini Elephant Toothpaste: Chemistry Fun in Action!
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Food Science, Human Nutrition, and Your Health
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Outdoors, West Entrance
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above
Join the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and the Institute of Agricultural Technology as we explore the amazing intersections between food and health. We will be hosting tours of our one-of-a-kind Mobile Food Processing Laboratory, conducting hands-on demos, as well as talking more about the food science, dietetics, and human nutrition majors. Come have a FOOD time with us!
Learn more about Food Science, Human Nutrition, and Your Health
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From Meals to Molecules: Solving Mysteries with Stable Isotopes
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Figuring out where something is from and where it has been are important questions for many different fields of science. Ecologists often study where different animals migrate and how their diet changes over time. Environmental scientists need to determine where pollution is coming from and who should be responsible for cleaning it up. Stable isotopes can provide key insights that help answer the “Where?”, “When?”, “Who?”, and “In what magnitude?” questions that different types of scientists ask.
Learn more about From Meals to Molecules: Solving Mysteries with Stable Isotopes
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Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Looking for ways to challenge and inspire your academically advanced student? Stop by the GATE booth to learn about Michigan State University’s Gifted and Talented Education programs for students in grades 4 and up. Whether you're curious about accelerated math, humanities, foreign languages, or hands-on summer experiences, GATE offers differentiated learning pathways designed to meet gifted students where they are. Representatives will be available to answer questions about academic year programs, summer camps, testing and placement, and how to get started. From middle school enrichment to high school acceleration, GATE helps families navigate options that support deep learning, creativity, and growth. Come explore what’s possible!
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Glitter Water Filtration
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 3202
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 3202
Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age
In this hands-on water filtration activity, students design and build their own filters to clean "dirty" water mixed with glitter, beads, and other fake pollutants. Using simple materials like cotton balls, sand, pebbles, wood chips, and paper, each student will experiment with different layered filters to trap pollutants and clean the contaminated water. This activity will explore how filtration works, promote problem-solving, and create environmental awareness. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of clean drinking water through modeling real-world water treatment using everyday materials.
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Go with the Flow: Exploring the Movement of Water!
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 3202
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 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
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 a physical model.
Learn more about Go with the Flow: Exploring the Movement of Water!
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Goofy Goggles
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Think your aim is sharp? Try it with your vision shifted! At this station, you’ll throw bean bags at a target—first with normal vision, then while wearing prism goggles that bend your visual field. As your throws go hilariously off-course, your brain begins to adapt in real time. This hands-on challenge reveals the power of neuroplasticity, or how your brain rewires itself through practice. It’s fast-paced, funny, and surprisingly brainy. Come test your toss and see your brain in action!
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Grow Your Botanical Knowledge
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 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
Learn about how plants interact with their environment, including different climates and their insect mutualists. We will bring plant specimens from the Plant Biology Conservancy to illustrate how plants can be adapted to different environments. We will also bring plants that will help illustrate plant-insect interactions, such as carnivorous plants, flowering plants, and ant plants. Kids can participate in a matching game to determine which plants go with which insects. We will also provide coloring pages with information on native Michigan plants that people can take with them.
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Heredity Mix and Match
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 3201
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above
Explore the genetics behind taste and smell! Join us for hands-on activities including DNA Building Blocks, an inheritance simulation, a PTC Taste Test, and a Cilantro Smell Test. Discover how your genes influence what you taste and smell, determine which traits are passed from parents to offspring, and build a DNA model to understand the structure that makes it all possible. Fun for all ages—come learn how genetics shapes your sensory world!
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Homemade Physics
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 3202
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 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
Science is something that anyone can do anywhere. Learn how to create physics experiments you can recreate at home using everyday household items!
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How Do Watersheds Work and Why Are Wetlands Important?
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 3202
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 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
Discover the functions and values of wetlands during a hands-on exploration of the Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management’s “Ecological Restoration in Your Watershed” model. Participants will make it rain over a residential area, farm, shopping center, factory, marina, and construction site, then see how pollutants travel from land uses into our waterways. Visualize how restoring wetlands and creating buffer zones filters pollutants from stormwater runoff and reduces flooding, and how constructed wetlands work. Become empowered with steps everyone can take to protect our natural resources and improve watershed health.
Learn more about How Do Watersheds Work and Why Are Wetlands Important?
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Human Brains
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Ever wondered what a real human brain looks like? At this unforgettable station, you’ll get to examine preserved human brain specimens along with plastic models, skulls, and brain sections showing disease and anatomy. Learn how the brain’s wrinkles help it fit inside our skull, why it’s not pink anymore, and how it compares to brains from other species. This is a rare opportunity to see the organ that makes you... you.
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Hungry Hungry Neurons
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Ever wonder how your brain knows when it’s time to eat or when to stop? At this science-meets-gameplay station, you’ll play a twist on Hungry Hungry Hippos to explore how your body’s chemical messengers talk to your brain. It’s a fun, active way to learn how hormones shape behavior, appetite, and brain-body communication. Come feed your neurons and your curiosity!
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Inside the Green World: Peek at Cells and Watch Flowers Drink!
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 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
Step into the world of plant scientists and explore how plants live, grow, and thrive! Our booth brings the cellular world of plants to life through exciting hands-on activities for all ages. You can look inside a leaf under the microscope, walk through a giant model of a plant cell, and watch flowers “drink” colored water to reveal how plants transport nutrients. Learn about the tools we use as plant biologists and discover how much goes on inside every green leaf around you!
Learn more about Inside the Green World: Peek at Cells and Watch Flowers Drink!
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Leaf Lessons: An Exploration of Leaf Shapes and Sizes
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Join the MSU Herbarium in an exploration of leaf morphology. Leaves are a type of plant organ, and they provide energy through photosynthesis and help move water and gases. Leaves come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Discover what tissues make up a leaf, learn about different leaf shapes, and see how we can use leaves to help us identify plants.
Learn more about Leaf Lessons: An Exploration of Leaf Shapes and Sizes
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Life Beneath the Naked Eye
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2004
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above
The scanning electron microscope (SEM) has opened up a whole new way of seeing materials. Instead of being limited to light microscopes, scientists can use subatomic electrons to create pictures never before seen. Visit a materials science laboratory and learn about SEMs. Use the scanning electron microscope to view insects, human hair, ceramics, metals, computer chips, glasses, composites, etc. You will also be able to participate in other hands-on demonstrations (involving metals, plastics, ceramics, and composites) highlighting materials science and engineering.
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Life Without Water
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 1202
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 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
Visit the Water and Life Interface Institute booth to discover how life survives without water! Sample astronaut ice cream, explore resurrection plants, and see water bears under a microscope. Make your own seed necklace and chat with researchers about why scientists study plants, animals, and fungi that can withstand extreme dehydration—and how you can join the “Tardigrade Hunting” project. (Nondairy astronaut treats available.)
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Make a Neuron
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Get crafty with neuroscience! At this creative station, you’ll use pipe cleaners, beads, and other art materials to design your very own neuron. Guided by real diagrams and photos, you’ll learn about the key parts and how signals travel from one neuron to the next. No matter what type of neuron you make, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how brain cells connect, communicate, and shape everything we do.
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Marshmallow Structures
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2130
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2130
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age
Build your favorite shape using marshmallows and toothpicks!
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Media Magic: The Science of Playback Machines
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility First Floor, South Wing
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above
Ever wonder how CDs can be played and have music on them? Or how VHS tapes can have playable video footage? Or how a needle can fit into the grooves of a vinyl record and play back music? If so, then join us for a special session at the 2026 Science Festival exploring the science and magic of media playback machines: the secrets of how they work and what makes them tick.
Learn more about Media Magic: The Science of Playback Machines
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MI Diaries: Tell Your Story for Linguistic Analysis
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Second Floor, West Wing
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 collecting weekly “audio diaries” from Michiganders through a mobile app. We demonstrate how we collect stories, how we share the funniest, most reflective, or most interesting stories with the public, and how we do language science analysis of the recordings. Visitors will learn about word choice and pronunciation differences, and they will also get a chance to contribute a story of their own to the project.
Learn more about MI Diaries: Tell Your Story for Linguistic Analysis
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MI Water Source! Enviroscape Education Demonstration
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility First Floor, South Wing
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above
The MI Water Source! Enviroscape Education program aims to raise awareness about the importance of water and protecting our health. The program uses an interactive model to demonstrate how everyday activities can contribute to water pollution and contamination. The program highlights how these activities can impact water sources used for drinking, such as surface water and groundwater. Through this demonstration, participants will learn how to reduce those impacts and protect their health!
Learn more about MI Water Source! Enviroscape Education Demonstration
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Mindfulness
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Step into a moment of calm at our mindfulness station, where neuroscience meets emotional well-being. This station is a gentle reminder that caring for your brain isn’t just about anatomy, it’s also about mental health. Stop by to complete a hands-on gratitude activity, explore mindfulness practices, pick up resources via QR code, and discover how even a few quiet moments can make a big difference.
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Mirror Minds: Building with Words
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Can you build what your partner sees? Ever wonder how your brain helps you understand what others are thinking or feeling? At this booth, you’ll put your communication skills and your brain’s empathy powers to the test! Using colorful building blocks and a simple challenge, you’ll discover how mirror neurons help us connect, communicate, and collaborate. Can you describe your creation well enough for someone else to build it without showing them?
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Mirror Tracing
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Can you trace a star while only looking in a mirror? It’s trickier than it sounds, and it helped scientists unlock secrets of the brain. At this station, you’ll try the mirror tracing challenge and learn about Henry Molaison (H.M.), one of the most famous patients in neuroscience. Come test your coordination and explore the science of memory through one unforgettable experiment.
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Molecular Diffusion: Just a Bunch of Collisions!
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 3202
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 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
We will explore collisions in many different ways: on the tabletop, in a microscope, and with computer simulation. We will show that each collision conserves momentum. Put lots of collisions together and you get diffusion, an important phenomenon in biology and chemistry. A simulation of a cell shows how diffusion affects molecules of different shapes and sizes.
Learn more about Molecular Diffusion: Just a Bunch of Collisions!
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My Brain is Beautiful
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Third Floor, West Wing
Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above
Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Celebrate what makes every brain unique at this uplifting, interactive station hosted by The Neurodiversity Network at MSU. Add your own message to our “My Brain is Beautiful” wall, explore how fidgets can support focus and calm, and learn what neurodiversity really means—differences are not deficits. Try out different fidget tools, vote for your favorite, and discover how our diverse brains help us see, think, and learn in wonderfully different ways.
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Nervous Breakdown
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Ever wonder how doctors test your brain and nerves? At this interactive station, a medical student will walk you through a real neurological exam just like what a neurologist does in clinic. From tapping your knee to tracking your finger, every movement tells a story about how your brain and body communicate. It’s a fascinating peek into clinical neuroscience and a chance to see your own nervous system in action!
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Neuron Discovery Station
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Peer into the hidden world of brain cells! Use real microscopes to explore prepared slides of neurons and brain tissue up close. See the cells that let your brain do all the amazing things that it can do!
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Ocean Guardians—Learn About Sharks and How You Can Protect Them
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Second Floor, North Wing
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Second Floor, North Wing
Appropriate for: All Ages
Sharks are often misunderstood, feared, and underappreciated. This interactive program aims to engage children in understanding the critical role sharks play in maintaining the health of oceans through exploring shark anatomy and their importance as apex predators. We will discuss the threats they face and provide steps that kids can take to protect sharks. Our objectives are to teach children why sharks are vital to ocean ecosystems, demonstrate how sharks' unique anatomy helps them thrive, and educate them about the alarming shark populations statistics, and inspire young people to become advocates for shark conservation.
Learn more about Ocean Guardians—Learn About Sharks and How You Can Protect Them
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Oozing Oobleck: Fun With Biological Materials
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility First Floor, South Wing
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above
Biosystems engineers integrate biology and engineering to solve problems related to food, health, energy, and the environment. MSU’s Biosystems Engineering (BE) Club invites children of all ages to learn about the properties of biological materials and, more specifically, non-Newtonian fluids. A non-Newtonian fluid is a fluid that changes its thickness, or viscosity, when force is applied to it. This experiment will allow children to participate in a hands-on and engaging experiment to test and learn how different starches affect the Oobleck’s texture and reaction to force.
Learn more about Oozing Oobleck: Fun With Biological Materials
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Parkinson's Perspectives
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Through hands-on activities you’ll learn how Parkinson’s affects dopamine-producing neurons and why movement becomes slower, shakier, and harder to control. Experience how even simple tasks become challenging when the brain’s movement signals are disrupted by using shaky pens to simulate tremors and stiff gloves to mimic the rigidity experienced by people with Parkinson’s disease. It’s a powerful way to explore neuroscience, build compassion, and understand the importance of brain health and support.
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Pathology and Laboratory Medicine: A Day in the Life
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility First Floor, East Wing
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility First Floor, East Wing
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above
The MSU College of Human Medicine/College of Osteopathic Medicine Pathology Interest Group is comprised of medical students and pathologists who are dedicated to enriching medical and community understanding through interactive educational sessions about pathology. Our focus is to increase awareness about pathology and its importance in patient care, laboratory workflow, career options via medical or nonmedical pathways, and this specialty’s future directions. The MSU Pathology Interest Group is excited to spread its message to the younger generations and continue this vital mission, especially as this field faces a workforce shortage.
Learn more about Pathology and Laboratory Medicine: A Day in the Life
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Phantastic Physics! Interactive Science Demos
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 1202
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 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
Women and Minorities in the Physical Sciences (WaMPS) is a graduate student organization whose purpose is to build community and empower underrepresented groups in the physical sciences. Explore the different properties of light through interactive demos with current MSU graduate students. Our focus is to demystify various scientific topics, as well as build participant confidence that anyone can be a scientist!
Learn more about Phantastic Physics! Interactive Science Demos
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Pigment Picassos
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 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
Children (and adults!) of all ages are invited to learn about the pigments that exist in plants/fruits/vegetables and give life color. We will have specific activities that will allow participants to explore the chemical/biological properties of pigments, learn where they came from, paint with pigments, and contribute to a group art piece. Folks can take home their art as well as a handout.
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Play Bingo to Learn About Lab Safety
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Play a game of Safety Bingo! There are many things kept in the laboratory in order to keep scientists safe. Learn about lab coats, goggles, gloves and more by playing a round of Safety Bingo. Hosted by the Research Safety Team (RST) from the Department of Chemistry at Michigan State University.
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Polymers: Breaking Down Nature's Building Blocks
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 1202
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 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
Polymers are one of the most important substances found in nature and synthesized for industrial usage. This is due to their peculiar molecular structure composed of a repeating chain of molecules (monomers). Join us for an in-depth look into the inner workings of these compounds and their role in our modern life through an in-person experiment using common household items.
Learn more about Polymers: Breaking Down Nature's Building Blocks
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Powering the Future: Understanding Batteries Through Hands-On Electrochemistry
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility First Floor, South Wing
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above
Experience the exciting world of electrochemistry and energy storage through engaging demonstrations and interactive models. Batteries are at the heart of modern technology from smartphones and electric vehicles to renewable energy storage. Our goal is to help students understand how batteries store and deliver energy, and how advances in materials science, such as metal–sulfur and metal–ion chemistries, are paving the way for safer, more sustainable energy solutions.
Learn more about Powering the Future: Understanding Batteries Through Hands-On Electrochemistry
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Protect Your Brain
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! What do an egg, a jar of water, and a helmet have in common? They’re all part of this hands-on demo that reveals how your brain stays safe inside your skull. Watch how cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cushions the brain from everyday jolts and what happens when that protection isn’t enough. Then, learn why helmets matter and how to wear one properly to prevent injury during sports and play. Stop by and discover the science behind staying safe!
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Protein Power: Learn How to Measure Life's Building Blocks
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 3202
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 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
Proteins are an important building block for all life. Not counting water, humans are about 41% protein. They make metabolism happen, make our muscles move, provide structure beyond the skeleton, and countless other functions. In fact proteins are so important that the U.S. government recommends that 10–35% of the total calories you consume be in form of protein. Because protein is so important, measuring protein amounts is one of the most common methods biochemists use. Join the MSU Biochemistry Club in a quick hands-on experiment to measure protein amounts in some common foods. Our students will show you how it’s really done in the laboratory. You will have the opportunity to learn all about how protein measurements work and see and use some of the advanced instrumentation used to make these measurements.
Learn more about Protein Power: Learn How to Measure Life's Building Blocks
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Race for Perfection
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! At this fast-paced station, you’ll challenge your motor abilities through your choice of two engaging activities. First, race against the clock in the classic Perfection game, fitting shapes into their slots before time runs out. Then, try the Purdue Pegboard test, a real scientific tool used to measure hand-eye coordination and finger agility. Come race for perfection and discover the science behind every skillful move!
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Radioactive!
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Uranium, plutonium, and radium, oh my! Come learn about radioactive material including many of the beneficial ways it is used in your day-to-day life!
This is an FRIB-affiliated presentation.
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Ramp and Roll
Presented at the following times:
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2130
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2130
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age
Help your children experience the joys of scientific exploration through a ramp and roll activity you can re-create at home!
Playing with ramps and things that roll helps children learn simple principles of physical science and engineering. A ramp is an example of a simple machine called an inclined plane.
“Work” has a specific meaning in physics involving the transfer of energy to an object and making it move. We don’t expect young children to know this. When we say that “simple machines make work easier,” we are using an accurate but child-friendly description of what simple machines do and how they help people.
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Reaction Time
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 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
Join us at the Neuroscience Fair! Think your reflexes are lightning fast? Put them to the test in this exciting drop-and-grab game! Try to catch a falling ruler before it slips through your fingers. You’ll learn how your brain and body work together in a split second from your eyes to your muscles. Come see how fast your brain really is!
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Reptiles Alive!
Saturday, April 11, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2101
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above
Get to know reptiles up close at this event offered by the MSU Herpetology Society, a student organization focusing on reptile education. Our goal is to reduce the negative stigma surrounding reptiles and bring more awareness to their conservation. We do this by bringing educational animals to the public. Participants will have an opportunity to interact with various reptile species and specimens.
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Game Show: So You Want to Be a Scientist!
Saturday, April 11, 12:00 - 12:45 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Workshop Stage
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above
Join us for a popular quiz-style game show that asks questions like: “How are science skills useful?” and “What can I do in science careers?” The answers will surprise you! Of course, there will be fabulous prizes for our contestants!
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Magic of Vision
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 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
Our lab will present a variety of interactive visual perception experiments for all ages to participate in. Through these experiments, we will demonstrate binocular vision, additive color mixing, the Stroop effect, our visual blind spot, multisensory integration, and persistence of vision. A variety of materials will be available, including instructions for each experiment, 3D glasses, spinning tops, rubber arms, and paper tubes. Each experiment is tied to a scientific phenomenon, and we hope to inform and inspire our audience!
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Making the Invisible Visible: The Magic of Wireless Sensing
Presented at the following times:
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility, Room 1202
Sunday, April 12, 2:00 - 2:45 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Workshop Stage
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above
Have you ever wondered how your iPhone can find an AirTag hidden under the couch? This demo reveals the “magic” behind the scenes—wireless sensing! We’ll show that wireless signals, like Wi-Fi, can do much more than connect you to the Internet. They can sense motion, detect heartbeats, and even see through smoke, fog, or walls. Using simple hands-on demonstrations, kids will explore how invisible waves can make the world around us “visible” in new ways. This interactive session will spark curiosity and inspire young scientists to explore the exciting world of STEM.
Learn more about Making the Invisible Visible: The Magic of Wireless Sensing
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MSU Robotics for Beginners
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 3201
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above
MSU Engineering will be on-site with hands-on robotics and engineering activities. Predesigned robot challenges will tickle your neurons, make you scratch your thinker, and more importantly, smile! Robots available for grades K-12 and curious chaperones of all ages. Visit us if you dare!
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Polymers and Sustainability
Presented at the following times:
Sunday, April 12, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 1202
Sunday, April 12, 3:00 - 3:45 PM at STEM Teaching and Learning Facility, Workshop Stage
Appropriate for: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above
This presentation offers an introductory overview of how polymeric materials play vital roles across diverse fields—including energy, health care, automotive and aerospace, advanced coatings, intelligent packaging, and separation and purification technologies. It highlights recent advances in polymer science and technology while addressing the environmental challenges posed by synthetic polymers and emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable solutions, as outlined by recent National Science Foundation and National Academies initiatives.