STEAM Expo Days

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

The Plant Cell Atlas (PCA) brings together scientists dedicated to unlocking the mysteries of plant cells and sparking curiosity in future generations. At the PCA booth, you can dive into the microscopic world of plants using real microscopes, compare plant and animal cells with hands-on models, and explore a fun cell-type activity activity about the differences between plants and animals. You'll also discover the inspiring story of Marie Clark Taylor, the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in botany and a trailblazing educator who introduced live plant cells into classroom learning. Come and experience the fascinating world of plant science!

Learn more about Exploring Plant Cells

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

This program is intended to educate the public on the science of optics and photonics through presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. The poster presentation will be used to explain the wide applications of optics in our daily life, from cameras, LCD displays, 3-D movies, optical communications, and advanced optical sensors. The on-site demonstrations and hands-on activities will present and explain interesting optical phenomena including light transmission and reflection, light polarizations, fiber optics, 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

Show off your neuroscience pride with face paint!

Learn more about Face Painting

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

One major focus of forensic science is source attribution, a key practice for addressing the age-old question of “Who dunnit?” Commonly seen in crime shows and courtrooms, fingerprint evidence is often used to match a person to a criminal activity. But how do you collect fingerprints when the crime scene isn’t a murder or a robbery—but a polluted environment—and the culprits aren’t individual people—but a leaking pipe? Come learn about the different fingerprinting approaches scientists use for source attribution, like chemical and isotopic profiling!

Learn more about Fingerprinting Using Chemistry

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

This program presents the zebrafish as an exciting animal model for basic and translational research. Zebrafish have unique attributes, like transparent embryos and external (outside of mom), fast development. This makes zebrafish helpful for answering many different research questions, especially questions about the development of an organism from egg to adult. Here, we showcase the zebrafish with interactive activities for all age groups, including spotting zebrafish embryos at different stages of development, following food movement through a live zebrafish’s system, picking out fish with special traits, and learning how we can change the zebrafish’s DNA with a tool called CRISPR.

Learn more about Fish You Well: What Zebrafish Can Teach Us About Development and Disease

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

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

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

Learn about the different Gifted and Talented Education opportunities at MSU. 

Learn more about GATE

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

Bacteria use protein microcompartments that self-assemble to create little factories that make specific products that the bacteria need to survive. Our research team is reengineering these microcompartments to carry out new chemical reactions at room temperature and at low cost. Learn about the geometry and chemistry that help assemble these microcompartments by building a miniature soccer ball to take home!

Learn more about Get a Kick Out of Chemistry!

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 to determine best uses for their their land. As soil judgers, we enter soil pits to analyze soils and reach conclusions for agricultural, construction, and conservation purposes. Soil judging communities exist throughout the nation in collegiate teams, and throughout the world in 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: 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 observe how it makes its way downstream, watch rivers move across the landscape, and explore how the shape of a landscape influences the movement of water.

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!

Learn more about Goofy Goggles

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

The Genetics and Genome Sciences Program at MSU will provide hands-on activities to introduce fundamental heredity and genetics concepts, such as DNA and genotypes. Participants will have the opportunity to 1) build a candy model to learn about DNA, 2) do a taste test to learn about how genotypes affect phenotypes, 3) perform a smell test to learn about how specific genes contribute to our perceptions of the environment, 4) make an observation on tomato plants and hornworms to learn the importance of genotypes in agricultural plants against harmful insects.

Learn more about Heredity Mix and Match

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

We will be bringing live reptiles like a tegu (large lizard), boa constrictors, tortoises, and various species of gecko. Our student members will have the chance to volunteer and gain experience handling these reptiles and talking to the public while visitors get the chance to see and touch animals that may be scary or unfamiliar to them. All of our animals are highly social, so it's a great chance to interact in a safe space. 

Learn more about Herpetology Club: Reptiles Alive!

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. This booth contains several hands-on physics demonstrations made out of everyday household items. We are also happy to answer questions about how you can build your own versions at home.

Learn more about Homemade Physics

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

Look at real human brains.

Learn more about Human Brains

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

Learn about how neurons in our brain control our appetite.

Learn more about Hungry Hungry Neurons

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

Pick a duck from the pond to see how lucky it is. Uncover common surface-water pollutants that affect our aquatic wildlife and learn how they affect humans, plants, and animals. Discover simple steps we can take every day to prevent stormwater runoff from entering our local waterways through unfiltered storm drains. Find out how nonpoint source pollution adds up to a big problem, then realize how your actions can be part of the pollution solution! Bring a duck from the Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management home to remind you of personal actions that protect our waters. 

Learn more about Is Your Duck Lucky? How to Prevent Stormwater Pollution

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

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 sub-atomic 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.

Learn more about Life Beneath the Naked Eye

Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age

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 power. Lithography is a chemical/physical process that creates small patterns on chips by depositing materials through physical masks. In our everyday lives, screen printing of graphic artworks on canvases or T-shirts utilizes a similar concept. Using a hands-on activity, learn the basics of lithography using inexpensive materials like cardstock stencils and paint. Also, see actual micropatterns fabricated on chips in the lab.

Learn more about Lithography: How Chemistry Makes 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 make your own with craft supplies 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

Where are turtles migrating? What does climate change look like across the globe? Explore these questions and more with datasets on the Magic Planet, a digital world map! Looking at the world in digital form allows for everything to be closer to the right size, but what happens when we put the world on paper? Explore all the interesting ways that map makers try to fix this problem, then make your own paper globe or take one to make at home!

Learn more about Map-Making with the MSU Museum

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

Build your favorite shape using marshmallows and toothpicks!

Learn more about Marshmallow Structures

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

Mass Spectrometry is a powerful tool that helps scientists figure out what things are made of, down to their tiniest particles. With this technique, samples can be separated based on their mass-to-charge ratio to figure out mass, basic building blocks, and composition of a chemical compound. As a scientist’s best friend, mass spectrometry has been used to answer life’s important questions, such as looking for signs of life on Mars, monitoring food for dangerous chemicals, identifying diseases, and finding clues from crime scenes. In this program, students will learn how mass spectrometry works and have a chance to try it themselves!

Learn more about Mass Spectrometry: A MASSive Molecule Decoder

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

Appropriate for: Elementary school age, Middle school age

Mi Water Source! Enviroscape Education program aims to raise awareness on the importance of water and protecting your 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 our 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 complete a gratitude activity.

Learn more about Mindfulness

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

Can you build what your partner sees? Create matching block structure through communication – no peeking allowed!

Learn more about Mirror Minds: Building with Words

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

Try to trace a shape by looking only at your reflection.

Learn more about Mirror Tracing

Appropriate for: 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!

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

Watch how a neurologist evaluates your nervous system. 

Learn more about Nervous Breakdown

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

Use a microscope to see the intricate structure of real neurons.

Learn more about Neuron Discovery Station

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

Discover the world of rare isotopes at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) on the Michigan State University campus. With over 800 dedicated staff, FRIB is helping scientists unlock the mysteries of atomic nuclei and the origin of the elements. For the past few years, FRIB employees have channeled their creativity through the "What FRIB Means To Me" photo contest, capturing stunning images of their unique work environment. Visit our exhibit to explore these amazing photographs and learn about the groundbreaking science happening behind the scenes.

Learn more about Nuclear Science in Photos: Insider's View of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams

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

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

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 and decide whether these alternative versions Oobleck can be considered non-Newtonian Fluids.

Learn more about Oozing Oobleck: Fun With Biological Materials

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

Learn how certain tasks are more difficult with Parkinson’s disease 

Learn more about Parkinson's Perspective

Appropriate for: 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 a group 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

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

Women and Minorities in Science (WaMPS) is a graduate student organization whose purpose is to build community and empower underrepresented groups in the physical sciences. Come explore the inner workings of light, sound, and magnetism 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!

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

From preventive medicine to acute care, physician associates are integral members of the health care team. Whether it is providing knowledge on how to best adjust your diet and lifestyle to achieve your specific health goals, or providing lifesaving interventions in an emergency, PAs are there to guide and serve patients every step of the way. What is causing the excessive metabolic disease in our country? What can you expect a PA to do in a routine medical exam? What imaging might a PA use to diagnose acute and chronic conditions? Please stop by to get answers to all of these questions and to be exposed to the full scope of practice of physician associates around Michigan. 

Learn more about Physician Associates: What Can They Do?

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

Every living thing has a genome—DNA consisting of the letters A, T, G, and C—with instructions for how to grow and develop. Decoding these instructions is fun and requires good investigation skills. We invite you to put on your detective hat and solve the mystery of why two “identical twin” plants that differ by only a single DNA letter have completely different appearances. As a plant genome investigator, you will learn how scientists use both computers and experiments to decode the information hidden in genomes.

Learn more about Plant Genome Investigators

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

Explore plant pathogens with MSU’s plant pathology graduate student organization, S.P.O.R.E.! From the forest to the field, discover the fascinating biology of the microorganisms behind some of the most devastating diseases afflicting plants. All ages can observe diverse plant pathogenic microorganisms and their symptomatic host plants, while learning about the historical and agricultural importance of plant diseases in Michigan. Participants have the opportunity to observe various pathogens on their hosts on the microscopic scale and what these organisms look like in pure culture. 

Learn more about Plants Get Sick Too! Exploring Plant Pathogens 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

Despite their versatility, plastics are used in a wasteful manner. We take oil and gas from the earth to make plastic products that are often designed to be used only once, and then we throw them away. Millions of tons of plastic, valued at billions of dollars, are burned, dumped in landfills, or leak into the environment every year. Every year, an astounding 8 million tons of debris spill into the ocean, and the amount is growing. By 2050, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish (by weight) unless we reconsider how we use it. We'll talk about the recycling of plastics and how can we create a circular economy for them.

Learn more about How to Turn the Tide on Plastics Pollution

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

Join Dr. Timothy Warren for an exciting (and tasty) chemistry demonstration! 

Learn more about Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream!

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

Guess how many drops of water can fit on a penny (spoiler alert: more than you think)? Find the answer by using a pipette filled with water. Water molecules cling together, causing several drops to fit. Learn about properties of water with a lava lamp. Oil and water do not mix but dye and water do, causing large bubbles to float around in the oil.

Learn more about Fun Experiments to Do at Home

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

Join us for a short introduction to the robots in our world today and experience the opportunity to program and drive VEX IQ robots. You will also discover the location of a free website you can use at home to learn more about programming VEX IQ robots!

Learn more about Introduction to Robots and Programming

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

Our activity will give children (and adults!) of all ages the opportunity to explore the pigments that exist in plants/fruits/vegetables and give life color. We will have specific activities that will allow the kids to explore the chemical/biological properties of pigments, learn where they came from, and paint with the pigments. Particpants also will have an opportunity to contribute to a group art piece.

Learn more about Pigment Picassos

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

Our presentation highlights the urgent challenges facing endangered migratory species across Asia’s five migratory bird flyways. Featuring critically endangered species like the Yellow-breasted Bunting and Spoon-billed Sandpiper, the presentation explores threats such as overhunting, habitat loss, and climate change in the migratory birds' wintering grounds. With a focus on local actions and global sustainable goals, this presentation aims to raise awareness and inspire collective efforts to protect these avian travelers and preserve biodiversity. 

Learn more about Fading in the Dark: The Silent Decline of Asian Migratory Birds

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

Stars are fascinating to study, but you wouldn’t want to go there and take measurements yourself. MSU’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) can recreate the stellar environment for more controlled (and safer) research. Discover how our researchers are producing the kinds of nuclei only found in stars and giving them the right energy to duplicate stellar reactions! You'll use several hands-on demonstrations to understand how FRIB smashes nuclei and measures their invisible fragments.

Learn more about Fantastic Nuclei and Where to Find Them