MSU Science Festival to host NASA astronaut, National Geographic explorer

From April 6 to 22, Michigan State University's science community will host more than 20,000 visitors for the sixth annual MSU Science Festival.

The festival is the largest free science festival in the state of Michigan, and offers 250 events and activities for science, technology, engineering, arts and math. 

Featured guest speakers include NASA Astronaut Josh A. Cassada on April 7, and National Geographic Young Explorer and submarine pilot Erika Bergman on April 9. Cassada will discuss life on International Space Station systems, robotics, T-38 flight training and astronaut candidate training. Bergman will lead festival participants through a virtual reality ocean exploration.

"Our theme this year is 'To the Future and Back,'" said Roxanne Truhn, MSU Science Festival coordinator. "We know that questions and ideas generated today can mean scientific discovery in the future. All we have to do is look at history to see what can be accomplished by men and women who were curious or addressed a need or observed the universe closely."

Events take place on MSU's campus and across Michigan, and includes participation of over 60 partners across the state.

Beyond featured speakers, highlights include:

• 23 tours and open house events on MSU's campus, including visits to the Butterfly House and the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory.
• Statewide Astronomy Night on April 20, which includes exploration and shows at observatories and planetariums from 13 locations across Michigan
• Science cafes and pub events, during which participants can learn about the art and science of coffee, the process and science behind brewing beer, and about arcade and pinball game design.

A full schedule of events is available online.