STEAM Expo Days

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

Use photosynthesis to make plants grow. Manipulate light and carbon dioxide and see, in real time, how this affects photosynthesis. Young festival-goers enjoy blocking the light with their hand and seeing photosynthesis fall, then removing their hand and watching photosynthesis resume instantaneously. Older festival-goers can change light or carbon dioxide concentration in steps to see how this affects photosynthesis. We will have plants that have been used in the space program such as “space wheat” and "microtom" tomatoes.

Learn more about A Hands-On Look at How Climate Change Affects Plants

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

Seeing is believing. That is why this program will allow pre-K to elementary school-aged children to experiment hands-on with magnifying lens and microscopes so that they can explore the unseen microscopic world of cells and tissues. The program will introduce young children to fun (but powerful) technologies that can reveal the tiny parts that make up us and our surroundings. Children will get to look at prepared microscope slides of animal, insect, fungi, and plant cells/tissues. They can also prepare their own samples of plants, soil, and sand for microscopic viewing. There will also be coloring print-outs and fun sticker handouts for the children.

Learn more about A Kid's-Eye View of the Microscopic World

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

Use magnetic marbles representing protons and neutrons to model a nucleus, then smash it to pieces just like scientists at MSU’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams! FRIB is a world-leading laboratory for creating and studying rare isotopes that don’t exist on Earth. This is your chance to create exotic nuclei and discover more about FRIB research!

Learn more about A Smashing Time with Nuclei at 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

Kids can experiment to send their ship rocketing into the air with science!  Alka-Seltzer Rockets celebrates our current traveling exhibit at Impression 5 Science Center, From Here to There. 

Learn more about Alka-Seltzer Rockets

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

Every day we turn on our faucets, showers, dishwashers, laundry machines, and countless other water-dependent conveniences without stopping to consider: Where does all that water come from? For the tri-county region of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties, 100% of our water comes from below ground. Through a private well or a public utility, we all rely heavily on groundwater. Stop by and learn all about groundwater as we build the region’s Saginaw aquifer in a cup!

Learn more about All About Groundwater: Saginaw's Aquifer in a Cup

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

There is 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 Michigan's drinking water as well as water resources immediately around you, in your watershed, in aquatic ecosystems, and beyond! We will have a water trivia game, crafts, and a dazzling groundwater model that shows how the water cycle connects the water above ground that we can see to the water below ground that we cannot see. We will use dyes to show how pollution moves through the water cycle and 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! Join the Neuroscience Fair for a hands-on stuffed animal brain scan. 

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 brain structures across various species.

Learn more about Animal Brains

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

Discover the wonders of life in the water! Develop an understanding of how aquatic habitats are formed, how they sustain life, and why we need to protect these fragile ecosystems. Learn about the plants and animals that call these remarkable habitats home through biofact exploration, live animals displays, and aquatic invertebrate investigations.

Learn more about Aquatic Ecology

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

There are over 800 million cats worldwide, with more than half living outdoors. A single unspayed female cat and her offspring can potentially produce thousands of kittens within a few years! This session examines the causes of rapid population growth and the impacts of cat overpopulation on communities. Explore effective management strategies like Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and using cats for rodent control while discovering ways to support outdoor cats. Learn practical skills, such as creating DIY shelters using simple household materials, to provide essential resources for these cats and promote their well-being. Join us to gain hands-on experience in supporting outdoor cats while addressing population concerns!

Learn more about Are Cats Taking Over the World? How You Can Help

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 helps us 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? Learn How to Measure Movement and Motor Skills

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

Did you know that MSU’s Beal Botanical Garden was once called the “Wild Garden"? Originally, the garden was more natural and focused on native Michigan plant species. By rewilding the garden, we can bring a dose of nature right to the heart of campus. Join us to bring nature home with you! Make a native plant seed bomb or create your own tea bag blend using underappreciated flavors from the garden.

Learn more about Beal: Rewilding and Reconnecting

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

This interactive program showcases how plants defend themselves and adapt to their environments. Participants will explore physical and chemical defenses, observe insects interacting with protected and unprotected plants, and link plant defense chemicals to everyday items like coffee and disinfectants. A Lego challenge lets participants design tomato plants to survive stressors like drought or herbivory. Through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and real-world connections, the program highlights the importance of plant defenses, their ecological roles, and the need for sustainable practices. Fun, accessible, and relevant, it’s perfect for all ages.

Learn more about Botanical Battlegrounds: Adapt, Survive, and Thrive!

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

Blow bubbles and see if you can balance them on your hands!

Learn more about Bouncing Bubbles

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

Kid Activities: Coloring and games. Relax with some coloring and play!

Learn more about Brain Break

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

The gut has a mind of its own – the enteric nervous system. 

Learn more about Brain in Your Gut

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

Put together all the pieces to make a complete brain!

Learn more about Brain Puzzle

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

Not every cherry on a cherry tree makes it to harvest. Some cherries naturally fall to the ground as the growing season progresses. These fruits, if left to rot, may lead to pests and diseases spreading on the orchard floor, increasing the risk of these issues impacting cherries awaiting harvest in the trees. We used trail cameras in 2024 to identify which wild animals use this rotting fruit as a food source and how often. 24/7 cameras showed many different types of animals foraging for food on orchard floors and suggested the potential benefits they may provide to farmers.

Learn more about Birds and Mammals in Cherry Orchards: Are They Helping Farmers?

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

What is machine learning? This presentation will introduce fundamental concepts of machine learning, a study that has created a "fourth industrial revolution" in the world. Participants will be guided through the main ideas of machine learning and participate in a machine learning activity. The presentation also will include an overview of the strengths/advantages and challenges of machine learning. 

Learn more about AI School: An Introduction to Machine Learning