Science is all around us. Without it, we couldn’t grow and preserve food, manufacture technical clothing to help keep us active or make advances in human and veterinarian medicine.
To celebrate the many wonders of science, the second annual MSU Science Festival will be held April 1-6. The festival’s events are intended to be enjoyed by participants of all ages. They are free and open to the public.
From climate change to wine tasting there will be non-stop guided tours, seminars, night-sky observation, hands-on interactive booths, demonstrations and more.
“We encourage children and adults to experience science like never before,” said Renee Leone, MSU Science Festival coordinator.
Festival highlights:
Weekday and weekend presentations - cover a wide range of topics, such as robotics, advanced microscopy, sneaker science, the history and science of archery, bird banding, forest forensics, science and art in orthopedic research on aching backs.
Robert Krulwich, co-host of National Public Radio’s “Radiolab” – featured keynote speaker will share TV and radio stories, including “An Octopus with Saddam Hussein” and other stories involving crows, squids on a blind date, and a bird that invents an anti-gravity device. 7-8 p.m. April 4, Kellogg Center.
Lansing State Journal Expo Tent – features hands-on activities for the whole family to enjoy. The tent will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m April 5 and noon-4 p.m. April 6. Located on campus at Benefactor’s Plaza between Natural Science, Student Services and Old Horticulture buildings.
Delta Dental’s Early Childhood Zone – features primary and early elementary teachers and specialists demonstrating their best science activities within a zone designated for preschoolers. This takes place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 5 and noon-4 p.m. April 6. Located on campus at the Morrill Hall Atrium.
Vet-A-Visit – College of Veterinary Medicine annual open house. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 5, Veterinary Medical Center, 736 Wilson Road.
Virtual Visit to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN – talk to the MSU researchers working on the ATLAS experiment via a live video feed to the MSU office at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. 10 a.m.-noon April 5, North Kedzie Hall, Room 101.
Science in the City – presentations on the science connected to products and services in nine downtown East Lansing businesses. 6-9 p.m. April 5.
An Afternoon of Comedy and Science – featuring science comedian Brian Malow, followed by Say it in 7 presentations with MSU scientists. 3:30-5 p.m. April 6, North Kedzie Hall.
The MSU Science Festival also is part of the Science Festival Alliance which began in 2009, and whose mission is to bring science and technology festivals to communities. MSU is the only institution in Michigan that hosts this type of festival.
The Science Festival schedule of events can be accessed here. You can search events by interest or age-appropriateness.
To be a Science Festival volunteer, register here.