Community STEM Events
Community STEM Events
From May 1-4, attend exciting community STEM events to explore the science taking place within your own community
Experience behind the scenes tours, educational talks, nature walks, and more at events hosted by local organizations, companies, and individuals. These community STEM events highlight the science that is all around us by connecting us with those who interact with it every day, and showcase how much it benefits our daily lives.
Types of Events
Be a Scientist
Be a Scientist, which inspires us to see science in our everyday lives while sparking visions of STEM career paths. Past “Be a Scientist” events include conversations with real NASA astronauts and scientists; a Learning Lunchbox STEM kit demonstration led by 2020 Miss America Winner and biochemist Camille Schrier; an explosive live show from a local glassblower; a STEM contest to meet YouTube star and wildlife educator Coyote Peterson; and more.
Adult Science Series
Adult Science Series shows how you can never be too old to have fun with science. We have something for everyone, including adults. These events engage adult crowds in exciting learning experiences ranging from fun science trivia, to brewery tours, to content geared towards an 18+ crowd.
*some events may require 21+ to attend
Bioblitz Citizen Science Series
A BioBlitz is a way for our community to work together to find as many species as possible in Ohio by taking pictures of plants and animals and uploading to the iNaturalist app. While you can participate on your own anywhere, you can also join your community and take part in Bioblitz themed events with others at parks and natural spaces, all while contributing to real scientific research.
These events have passed, but check out the list of events from the 2023 COSI Science Festival.
Blacklick Woods BioBlitz
Be a scientist! Help survey the wildlife, plants and fungi of Blacklick Woods during this BioBlitz. Learn to use iNaturalist
Backyard Community Workshop
Please join us for the Community Backyards workshop to learn more about gardening for clean water, waste diversion, and composting
Be a Glassblower!
May 3, 2023 Glass Axis is pleased to welcome new glassblowers of all ages to this pay-what-you-can community event. Visitors
Adventure Behind the Lake with Brave Wilderness
C'mon out for a wet and wild bioblitz at Blendon Woods Metro Park. Mario from the Brave Wilderness team will
Ohio Shipwrecks: What’s in Your Backyard?
From Lake Erie, to canals, to rivers, Ohio’s maritime history is rich and ancient. This presentation will highlight the stories
Stream Exploration in the Big Darby Creek: Plain City
Explore for stream life with an ODNR guide from the Ohio Scenic Rivers Program. Estimate water quality, observe the signs
The Neuroscience of Mindfulness: Meditation and Your Brain
When Lama Kathy (as a research subject) and Dr. Julie Brefczynski-Lewis (as a research scientist) became involved in the mindfulness
The Science of Flight
The Science of Flight will feature, several demonstrations and hands on activities related to drone technology both from the school
Wearable Mania!
The ElectroScience Laboratory of The Ohio State University is one of the largest labs in the country doing research in
We Grow Scientists!
Our inaugural ‘We Grow Scientists’ event will be May 3rd, 2023, from 3-7pm at Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory.
How Fermentation Affects Flavor
It’s easy to imagine how changing the ingredients, like barley & hops, affects the flavor of beer. But what about
Beebot Family Challenge
What is computer science and what does a computer scientist do? Bring your entire family and join the coding craze
Bioblitz with Columbus Recreation and Parks
Join us at the McKnight Outdoor Education Center on May 3rd for the BioBlitz with Columbus Recreation and Parks! We
How to Make a Bagel!
Join us at Fox's Bagels for a bagel-filled family evening involving a facility tour on the process that goes into
Stepping into Firefighting History
"Learning from the Past to Save Lives in the Future" - Step inside the Restored 1908 City of Columbus Fire
Creators Wanted
Visit the Honda Heritage Center to learn about Honda's history in Ohio and experience what it takes to be a
Excesss Science Trivia & Karaoke
When you’re looking to add some fun in your evenings, you can always find Excesss Karaoke & Trivia in Central
More Than Muscle – A Closer Look At What You’re Really Made Of
Axon, the nerdy fitness folks, are giving you a chance to test and collect data on the world’s most amazing
Electric, Autonomous, & Green: The Future of Personal Transportation
Join the Columbus Metropolitan Club for lunch plus an in-depth panel discussion about the future of personal mobility that might
Stepping into Firefighting History
May 4 - "Learning from the Past to Save Lives in the Future" - Step inside the Restored 1908 City
You Can Too Lab!
4:45pm - 5:30pm Want to use the power of science to help your community become a brighter, better place? You
You Can Too Lab!
4pm - 4:45pm Want to use the power of science to help your community become a brighter, better place? You
Late Night Studio
Join us for a late-night Open Studio experience. The Studio doors will be open for art making sessions that are
Sharon Woods BioBlitz: Backyard Blast
Drop by anytime between 6-8pm to learn how to become a citizen scientist in your own backyard. We'll teach you
Science of Ice Cream
Join us for an evening of science fun as we look at the science of ice cream. Grab a free
Hands-on-lab by Augment Therapy to experience the new frontier of augmented reality exercise
Augment Therapy is an award-winning digital health company that engages patients of all ages and ability levels in immersive, gamified
Freeze-Drying, Formalin, and Flesh-eating Beetles- How Museums Prepare and Preserve Specimens
Take a behind-the-scenes look into the lab of a natural history museum to reveal how specimens are preserved and prepared.
Excesss Science Trivia & Karaoke
When you’re looking to add some fun in your evenings, you can always find Excesss Karaoke & Trivia in Central
Alcoholchemy: Exploring the Science of Mead
Discover the science behind the brewing process of mead, from fermentation to aging, and take a tour of our meadery.
Science is Brewing! Brewer & Scientist-Led Brewery Tour
May 4, 2023 There’s quite a bit of science that goes on every day at Land-Grant's brewery and taproom in
Be a Glassblower!
May 4, 2023 Glass Axis is pleased to welcome new glassblowers of all ages to this pay-what-you-can community event. Visitors
Ecosystem Exploration: Ponds, Pines, & People
Come join us at The Dawes Arboretum for a hands-on program during the 2023 COSI Science Festival; fun for all
COSI After Dark: May the 4th Be With You
Join us on an intergalactic journey to a galaxy far, far away at COSI After Dark! Dress up as your
Maker Mania on The Lawn at CAS
Join us for fun and engaging hands-on STEM activities. From nature activities to flying drones and everything in between, come
For Families: Blooms and Birds BioBlitz Hike
Take a 1.5-mile guided hike through different habitats to observe blooms and birds. Trail is hilly in places and unimproved.
Out Of This World Fun
As part of the COSI Science Festival, explore space and beyond with fun activities centered around telescopes. Especially for kids
MindfulNEXT: New Ways to Train Your Brain!
Mindfulness is a popular practice for health and well-being. But can our brains be trained for love and kindness and
Science is Brewing! Brewer & Scientist-Led Brewery Tour
May 5, 2023 There’s quite a bit of science that goes on every day at Land-Grant's brewery and taproom in
Worthington Star Party
Join us for an interstellar adventure at the Worthington Star Party! The Worthington Community Center is hosting a STEM-themed event,
The Science of Caring for Your Canine Companion
Learn about the science of caring for your canine companion by working with veterinary and animal care experts from the
May 2023 Frequency Fridays
On the evening of Friday, May 5th, we are delighted to present sound artist Id M Theft Able (ME), experimental
The Power of Awe: Science Discovers the Sacred
The Mindfulness Movement has been an exciting success in terms of public uptake - more people are practicing mindfulness now
Stepping into Firefighting History
May 5 - "Learning from the Past to Save Lives in the Future" - Step inside the Restored 1908 City
Excesss Science Trivia & Karaoke
When you’re looking to add some fun in your evenings, you can always find Excesss Karaoke & Trivia in Central
Game Arena: The World of Esports
Join us at Game Arena (Gateway), one of the premiere LAN Centers in the entire Midwest. Learn about what it
Touch A Truck
Enjoy a day of climbing, pretending and touching different kinds of vehicles at the annual Powell Touch–A–Truck event from 11
Moving Metal
Stop by Beckett Forge to see them get metal to critical temperature and make it as malleable clay. With the
COSI BioBlitz- Be a Citizen Scientist
Join the naturalist for a fun and interactive citizen science program! Using iNaturalist, we'll observe Glacier Ridge's biodiversity on a
Explore STEM with All THAT
Come explore STEM with All THAT!! We'll have a variety of hands on activities for participants who can learn more
Bexley Food Tour
Join us as we take a small bus ride through Bexley to learn more about the science behind the food
The Science of Stained Glass
Little has changed in the construction of stained glass throughout the centuries and yet it’s easy to get caught up
Super Science Block Party
Join us Friday evening from 6:00 - 8:00pm for a science block party fun filled evening of activities including a
Researching and Preserving Ohio’s Cemeteries
Cemeteries are fascinating places full of history and Ohio has over 14,630 of them! ‘Researching and Preserving Ohio’s Cemeteries’ will