Be a Scientist
Get inspired to see science in your everyday life and ignite your passion for STEAM careers with our Be a Scientist series. These events have featured thrilling experiences like conversations with real NASA astronauts and scientists, test driving soap box derby cars, tours of the Franklin County Morgue, baking bagels, building rockets, and much more. Join us for exciting, hands-on science adventures that will spark your curiosity and inspire your future!
Upcoming events:
Do you have what it takes to work at Ohio’s only national forest? Put your skills to the test with various augmented reality games, or missions, through the free Agents of Discovery smartphone app. Download the app, complete all four missions before May 3rd, and earn an official Junior Ranger pin!
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Providing community members, high school age and above, an opportunity to tour the Forensic Science Center.
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Village of Lockbourne invites you to join us for a celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Ohio & Erie Canal. This is a great opportunity to discover our local history and its importance to Ohio. Come and explore our locks and canals on a guided walk along the Magnolia Trail. Learn why and how the canal was built. Lockbourne is home to canal locks and the ONLY place you can see the remains of the Columbus Feeder Canal locks. Everyone is invited.
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Test drive a Soap Box Derby racing car down Derby Hill at Big Run Park. Everyone invited. Reservations slots occur every 15 minutes starting at 3pm. Open to boys and girls age 7-18.
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) for an interactive afternoon of hands-on activities showcasing the many STEAM fields CFAES has to offer, including painting with plant pigments, transplanting your very own plant, learning how to putt from pros and a look behind the scenes of our Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex. “We Grow Scientists” is a free event open to learners of all ages.
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Did you know that each resident in Franklin County averages 4 to 5 pounds of waste daily? Have you ever wondered where that waste goes? Join SWACO and Grove City Parks and Recreation to learn about science of trash by touring a modern-day landfill to observe the operation first-hand and use recycled material to make a treasure. Participate in hands-on activities at the SWACO Education Resource Center. All activities are free, but registration for the landfill tours is needed to hold your seat.
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm
Join us for a STEAMtacular week at The Works! From invention, to the moon, to hair raising science- we have something for every audience! Join us as STEAM takes over the museum!
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Prepare for S.T.E.A.M. success and boost computational thinking with spatial reasoning and awareness kits. Watch live robot demonstrations from CSG’s and St. Charles’ FIRST Robotics teams, experience the power of electricity for a hair-raising experience, explore the Science of Sound by experimenting with vibrations, pitch, and sound waves, and speak to students who will present the results of their various science and engineering research projects!
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Join us at COSI's Science Week for an electrifying tour of Ohio State's Buckeye Solar Racing team! Explore our cutting-edge automotive facility, see how we power a car with the sun, and learn about solar racing technology. Kids will have the chance to get their creative wheels turning with a fun activity that lets them experience creating their own car. Discover what it takes to power a car with the sun and see firsthand how we’re racing towards a brighter, greener future!
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Providing community members, high school age and above, an opportunity to tour the Forensic Science Center.
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Did you know that each resident in Franklin County averages 4 to 5 pounds of waste daily? Have you ever wondered where that waste goes? Join SWACO and Grove City Parks and Recreation to learn about science of trash by touring a modern-day landfill to observe the operation first-hand and use recycled material to make a treasure. Participate in hands-on activities at the SWACO Education Resource Center. All activities are free, but registration for the landfill tours is needed to hold your seat.
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Families will once again celebrate the COSI Science Festival with a Passport Nature Scavenger Hunt program at Jeffrey Mansion & Woods. They will discover the many wonders of spring within Bexley’s 20-acre, Jeffrey Woods while exploring several ecosystems and the critters, plants and trees that live there.
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Join us and immerse yourself in the excitement of COSI's 2025 Science Festival! Get ready for a fun and engaging experience filled with hands-on STEM activities that ignite creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. From exploring nature to solving design challenges and beyond, there's something for everyone to discover. Join us at Whetstone Park and let's STEM together with friends, families and PAST!
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Discover how engineering and medicine work together to change lives! Design your own assistive devices and take on a surgeon’s training challenge. Explore the skills and technology that make modern healthcare possible!
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Families with students in grades K-8—prepare for an unforgettable evening of hands-on STEM excitement on April 30! Experience interactive experiments, thrilling tech demos, and creative challenges led by Metro’s incredible teachers and student innovators. From robotics to drones, coding to chemistry—STEM comes to life in the most fun, engaging, and inspiring way. Don’t miss out!
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
This event is sold out! Let's extend earth day by cleaning up the neighborhood, learn about our native plants, and eat foraged treats prepared by chef Lorenzo! We will be spending an hour or so cleaning up our neighborhood, and in the process we will teach you about the native plants we find along the way. After completing a little dirty working, and filling our brains with new plant knowledge we will get to eat some well earned locally foraged treats prepared by chef Lorenzo!
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Be a scientist! Learn to use iNaturalist to record scientific observations and then set out on a 1.25-mile hike to observe, identify and record mushrooms and other fungi around Blacklick Woods.
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Date & Time
April 30, 2025
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Do you have what it takes to work at Ohio’s only national forest? Put your skills to the test with various augmented reality games, or missions, through the free Agents of Discovery smartphone app. Download the app, complete all four missions before May 3rd, and earn an official Junior Ranger pin!
READ MORE
Date & Time
May 1, 2025
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Providing community members, high school age and above, an opportunity to tour the Forensic Science Center.
READ MORE
Date & Time
May 1, 2025
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Test drive a Soap Box Derby racing car down Derby Hill at Big Run Park. Everyone invited. Reservations slots occur every 15 minutes starting at 3pm. Open to boys and girls age 7-18.
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Date & Time
May 1, 2025
3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Please note: Due to inclement weather this event has been canceled. Can your egg survive the ultimate drop? Join Plain City Parks & Recreation for an EGG-citing challenge on May 1st from 4-7pm at Pastime Park! Design your best egg-protecting contraption and put it to the test as we drop it from an AEP bucket truck. Will it land safely or go SPLAT?
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Date & Time
May 1, 2025
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join us for a STEAMtacular week at The Works! From invention, to the moon, to hair raising science- we have something for every audience! The Works will be open until 6pm for an incredible Science Block Party! Get hands-on in the meeting room with additional science and technology exhibits.
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Date & Time
May 1, 2025
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Young Scientists will have the opportunity to learn about the diverse wildlife of Bexley, especially in our local ponds and Alum Creek and the importance of keeping habitats, like Bexley, clean. Hands-on activities at various stations will address the impact of litter and pollution on our local community, and ways children can help by reducing waste and knowing what is recyclable and compostable.
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Date & Time
May 1, 2025
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Get ready for a hands-on engineering challenge! Can you build a table out of paper strong enough to hold a stack of books? Start by selecting a type of paper and constructing your first table. Then, set a target weight, weigh the books, and put your table to the test! Track your results, make adjustments to improve stability, and try again with different types of paper. Which design will be the strongest? Let’s put your creativity and problem-solving skills to work!
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Date & Time
May 1, 2025
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Young Scientists will have the opportunity to learn about the diverse wildlife of Bexley, especially in our local ponds and Alum Creek and the importance of keeping habitats, like Bexley, clean. Hands-on activities at various stations will address the impact of litter and pollution on our local community, and ways children can help by reducing waste and knowing what is recyclable and compostable.
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Date & Time
May 1, 2025
4:45 pm - 5:45 pm
Blast off into summer with Grove City Parks and Recreation to discover Science at the park. Experience hands-on science demonstrations and activities about water safety, healthy habits, and nature-based play. Participate in rocket launching and the science of summer time games. You will be amazed at the science found in your hometown! Grab a COSI learning lunchbox while supplies last.
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Date & Time
May 1, 2025
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Join us for soil demonstrations from Capital University, information on the positive impact of supporting farmers and eating healthy from Bexley Schools, and a tour of the Bexley Gardens with Master Gardeners to learn about gardening from soil, to planting seeds, to harvesting your crops. All participants will also pick a vegetable seed to plant in a pot and take home to grow!
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Date & Time
May 1, 2025
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Volunteers will assist with the pollinator gardens at Dorrian Green Park! Learn alongside Master Gardeners on how pollinators are planted and maintained while getting your hands dirty in the process!
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Date & Time
May 1, 2025
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Please note: This event is canceled because of inclement weather. Join COSI, Embassy Boardshop, and Old Skool Skate Shop at Tuttle Skatepark for a community meetup and skate jam. Learn about the Science of Skateboarding, from physics to neurology, with COSI’s original video series, and see some amazing local skaters at work. Join in the jam to show off your own skills and get some COSI science swag.
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Date & Time
May 1, 2025
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
We build an entry level model rocket then we proceed to the field and launch them
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Date & Time
May 1, 2025
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
New Albany - Plain Local Schools is collaborating with the city of New Albany to produce a day at Taylor Farm Park for our community to explore nature. The event will feature multiple stations around the park for kids and families to learn and explore. We will be embracing the concept of Taylor Farm by featuring Bring the Farm to You, a gardening demo with Healthy New Albany. We will also have a Scavenger Hunt with prizes and nets for finding insects in the wetland areas.
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Date & Time
May 1, 2025
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
This event is sold out! Is it possible to go 70 MPH while standing still? Yes! In a wind tunnel. Join Honda at the COSI Community STEAM Event that will blow you away! Discover the science behind wind noise and the tools engineers use to improve the acoustic performance in the vehicles of the future. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your new knowledge to a real-life experiment focused on acoustic performance while learning from experts at Honda. Register now and get ready for an adventure at the HALO Wind Tunnel!
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Date & Time
May 1, 2025
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Come be a scientist and help us record species in the park! We will look high and low for plants and animals, from treetops to under rocks in the creek. Dress for the weather and wear footwear that can go for a 1.5-mile hike and maybe even get wet! Download iNaturalist ahead of time if you plan on using that platform (cell service is spotty.)
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Date & Time
May 1, 2025
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Join us at the Olentangy River Wetlands Research Park for our first-ever Bioblitz! Throughout the day, you’ll work alongside experts and students from The Ohio State University to document the biodiversity of the park using data sheets and the iNaturalist app.
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Date & Time
May 2, 2025
7:00 am - 9:00 pm
Do you have what it takes to work at Ohio’s only national forest? Put your skills to the test with various augmented reality games, or missions, through the free Agents of Discovery smartphone app. Download the app, complete all four missions before May 3rd, and earn an official Junior Ranger pin!
READ MORE
Date & Time
May 2, 2025
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Calling all curious minds! The City of London is hosting our annual "How Do You STEAM?" expo! What is a STEAM expo? It's Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math all rolled into one - and it's gonna be a BLAST!
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Date & Time
May 2, 2025
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Let’s learn about energy and electricity with our youngest to our oldest friends. Can you show off your kinetic energy? Have you ever played with static electricity? Do it all for our Curious Kids Takeover!
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Date & Time
May 2, 2025
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Join us to learn about and catch interesting insects, and the trees and plants that host them. Take home a free tree to plant, or help us plant it in the park! Help us list some of the insects found in our park for others to find on their next visit!
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Date & Time
May 2, 2025
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join us at Friendship Park from 2pm-3pm for an afternoon of STEM fun!
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Date & Time
May 2, 2025
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Providing community members, high school age and above, an opportunity to tour the Forensic Science Center.
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Date & Time
May 2, 2025
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
UAPL will have stations at our Tremont Road Branch to learn and have fun along the way. Will you race some robots through an obstacle course? Maybe have some geometric art fun? Or even learn about how the library can help you with your next science project? STEAM makes up much of our life, so we want to take this time during the COSI Science Festival to celebrate that with you!
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Date & Time
May 2, 2025
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
3,2,1, BLASTOFF! Come learn all about rockets by launching your own bottle rocket with Grandview Heights Parks and Recreation. We will have the launcher; all you need to do is decorate and bring a 2-liter bottle to launch with us!
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Date & Time
May 2, 2025
3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
Providing community members, high school age and above, an opportunity to tour the Forensic Science Center.
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Date & Time
May 2, 2025
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
This event is sold out! Passionate about STEM? Curious about the exciting world of biosciences and the career opportunities it offers? Graduating high school students and adults are invited to join Andelyn Biosciences' Career Lab for an engaging afternoon of learning and hands-on demonstrations.
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Date & Time
May 2, 2025
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Step into the Inventor’s Playground at the Inspiration Station, where kids and families explore STEM through hands-on challenges! Build towering Lego and dinosaur structures, design catapults, race boats, and launch rockets, and more — all while fostering creativity and problem-solving. Geared for elementary and middle schoolers, younger kids are welcome too! Enjoy on-site food and take home a free COSI kit. Join us for a night of fun, learning, and discovery!
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Date & Time
May 2, 2025
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Get ready for a night of fun and adventure with Mario from the Brave Wilderness team. Take this unique opportunity to hike into the waterfowl refuge and explore Thoreau Lake. We will search for critters scaly, slimy, big and small! Wear waterproof shoes so you can get as wet and muddy as you like!
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Date & Time
May 2, 2025
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Join the naturalist for a fun and interactive citizen science hike! Using iNaturalist, we’ll observe Glacier Ridge’s biodiversity on a guided hike. We will hike along the Red Oak Trail and the Marsh Hawk Trail which are a mix of paved and non-paved paths. We will be partnering with COSI for this experience as part of the COSI Science Fest! Meet at the shelter house by the flagpole. Please dress for hiking.
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Date & Time
May 2, 2025
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Join us for the Solstice Star Party – a hands-on astronomy event for everyone! Experience planetarium shows, touch real meteorites (and make your own!), observe the sun through a solar telescope, participate in science demos, and talk to student scientists at Ohio State. Whether you're a space enthusiast or just curious, come explore space in a fun, interactive way. Learn about Solstice Outreach’s portable planetarium—and how it can come to a school near you!
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Date & Time
May 2, 2025
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Come join our outdoor education staff at Alley Park on Friday, May 2nd for a Park After Dark Event in partnership with the COSI Science Festival Community STEAM Events. Activity stations will include: a night hike, moth identification station, nature center visit with live animals, and scrumptious s'mores over the campfire.
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Date & Time
May 2, 2025
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm