Despite a daylong heavy rain, the Indiana University sixth annual Science Fest still attracted about 2,000 children, parents, educators from across the state on Oct. 26th. The university’s annual celebration of science features hundreds of hands-on, interactive activities to teach kids about science and get them excited about learning. These events, held in the university, were free to open to the public. The College of Arts and Sciences, and other schools at Indiana University, designed the program to showcase different scientific departments and to give children the opportunity to meet real scientists and get first-hand experience in various scientific fields.

The tradition of Science Fest began in the 1960’s, when the Department of Physics held an open house to welcome community members to campus and get a closer look at the scientific work underway at IU. There were  150 hands-on science activities in 25 scientific areas throughout campus, from chemistry to paleontology. This year, Jordan Hall attracted lots of children who were interested in physics and biology. From the first exhibit, named Plants get sick, too, children had many questions for the professor,  including why they get sick.To get answers to these questions, every child could stand in front of the microscope and see the worm on the leaves projected from the microscope onto a computer screen.

Events took place all over campus, including the Chemistry Building, Franklin Hall, Jordan Hall, Kirkwood Hall, Kirkwood Observatory, the Student Building and Swain Hall West. Participating departments in the College of Arts and Sciences included astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth, and atmospheric sciences, geography, and psychological and brain sciences, among others. Other schools contributing to the sixth annual Science Fest included The Media School, the School of Nursing and the School of Optometry.

Indiana University Bloomington provided some additional services, including  on-site dining options from local food trucks, a first-aid station for non-emergencies, and free public parking, available in most campus garages. There were also safety services provided by Intra-Collegiate Emergency Medical Services, a student organization composed of over 100 certified EMT-Basics and first-aid personnel, in order to protect participants taking part in the Science Fest.

Jo Anne Tracy, Assistant Dean for Research and Director of Science Outreach in the College of Arts and Sciences, has served as the coordinator of Science Fest for many years. This year brought some new changes for the Science Fest, such as, “The Art and Math of Paper Folding,” and “The Harry Potter Show.” And this year, Tracy partnered with the Center for Rural Engagement to sponsor Crawford County and Batchelor Middle School students. That partnership allowed 100 additional children to take part this year.