Host a STEAM event

Host a STEAM event

The COSI Science Festival invites your organization to be part of Ohio’s largest celebration of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). Host an event that showcases your work, engages the community, and inspires future innovators.

CSF Community Events: Join the Fun!

Variety of Formats:

CSF Community Events come in all shapes and sizes—from intimate nature walks and behind-the-scenes tours to high-profile talks and neighborhood block parties. No event is too big or too small. If it celebrates STEAM and engages the public, it belongs in the festival.

Diverse Contributors:

We welcome organizations of all kinds—nonprofits, businesses, technologists, community organizations, and more—to host events, share content, and showcase your STEAM projects. Together, we can elevate science literacy and inspire curiosity across our communities.

Celebrate STEAM

Festival events are designed to be fun, engaging, and inclusive—demonstrating that science is everywhere and for everyone. Use your event to highlight the excitement of STEAM and the career opportunities within your organization.

Interested in hosting an event?

Applications for 2026 are open now through mid-February. 

Click here to apply today

Event Host Timeline:

Benefits of Participation:

Increased Appreciation for STEAM:

In 2024, the COSI Science Festival welcomed over 81,000 attendees. Post-event evaluations showed that participants left with a deeper appreciation for STEAM and a broader understanding of career paths in science and technology.

Increase Community Visibility:

A key component of the COSI Science Festival is showcasing the impressive array of STEAM opportunities in the region and beyond. This includes research at colleges and universities, career paths at local companies, and neighborhood resources. We aim to foster an appreciation for STEAM and its interconnected benefits to our daily lives. Your work is an integral part of this mission. Hosting an event helps your organization connect with the public, showcase your contributions to STEAM, and highlight how science is embedded in your work—from research and innovation to education and community service.

Gain New Audiences:

Ohio loves the COSI Science Festival, attracting tens of thousands of attendees each year—but it goes beyond attendance numbers. Our vision is to engage, inspire, and transform lives by making STEAM learning accessible to all. COSI serves as a hub for families, teachers, and students, equipping them with the tools and knowledge for lifelong learning. 
 
Hosting a community STEAM event is more than just participation—it’s an opportunity to reach new audiences, build meaningful connections, and contribute to a STEAM-literate community that can thrive in the digital economy and tackle 21st-century challenges. Whether you’re a first-time host or a returning partner, your event helps expand access to science and spark curiosity in learners of all ages.

Connect with Science, Cultural, and Educational Institutions:

The COSI Science Festival is a central point of connection for people and organizations passionate about STEAM education. By participating in the festival, you can grow these connections, create new ideas for exciting events, and collaborate to share the importance of STEAM with the public. Join the fun and let’s see what we can achieve together. 

Event Categories:

Science is Everywhere! A primary goal of the COSI Science Festival is to ensure quality science engagement opportunities take place throughout Ohio. While a wide array of formats are possible, events typically fall into one or more of these categories.

Be A Scientist Series: Showcase the amazing STEAM work you do! These events offer behind-the-scenes access to labs, museums, nature centers, and more, inviting the public to see what STEAM professionals do daily. It’s a fun and immersive way to engage the community and ignite curiosity about science.

Adult Science Series: Bring science to life for adults with engaging talks, hands-on experiments, and social fun. Whether 21+ or just for mature audiences, your event will prove it’s never too late to enjoy science. Cocktails, mingling, and curiosity await—make science an adventure at any age! 

Creative Sparks: There’s a commonality of creativity driving both arts and science—both solve problems and connect us to our world. Highlighting this connection makes science more accessible. Whether you have a performing scientist or an artist painting murals, we’re excited to share their stories with the public. Let’s inspire together! 

Career Lab: Discover your future in a STEAM career! Dive into hands-on workshops, career fairs, and expert-led panels where you’ll connect with industry leaders, develop real-world skills, and explore exciting career paths in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Whether you’re a student or young professional, these experiences will spark your curiosity and help you build the skills needed to shape tomorrow’s workforce. Get ready to unlock your potential and take the first step toward a bright future in STEAM! 

Outdoor Exploration: Help bring science to life in nature! As a host, you’ll guide participants through hands-on activities like BioBlitz identification, nature walks, and ecosystem investigations. Whether you’re an expert naturalist, park educator, or outdoor enthusiast, your knowledge helps uncover the science behind Ohio’s landscapes. These events are a great way to connect people of all ages to the environment, spark curiosity, and contribute to real scientific research—just by exploring the outdoors.

Science Block Party: Invite the whole neighborhood for a science block party with music, food trucks, and hands-on science stations. These large-scale events are fun, engaging opportunities to bring science to everyone. Let’s create a memorable community experience that celebrates the excitement of discovery! 

 
Have an event idea that doesn’t fit in one of the above categories? Not a problem. You can always submit a proposal for any event idea that you have.
 

Want more in-depth information?

View our COSI Science Festival Partner Guide

CSF Partner Guide

Create an Impactful Event: Events, no matter their size, can leave a lasting impression on attendees. What important topic related to your organization’s mission would you like to share? We recommend hosting events after school hours for maximum attendance, but the time, topic, and format are ultimately up to you. Choose what aligns best with your organization’s goals and audience. We love new ideas, but a repeatable event can be just as impactful..

Promote Your Event and the Festival: Once your event is planned, it’s time to spread the word—and we’re here to help amplify it. Think of COSI as your megaphone: we’ll boost your messaging through our website, social media, and press outreach, but the message starts with you. We’ll provide a promotional toolkit with customizable templates for social media posts, email announcements, flyers, and signage. To make your event a success, it’s essential that your organization actively promotes it to your own audiences—your networks, partners, and community groups. The more you share, the louder we can amplify. Let’s work together to create buzz and bring your event to life!

Easy Application Process: Applying is simple, but there are a few key steps to follow. As we gear up for the COSI Science Festival, meeting deadlines is crucial. Timely information helps us both advertise your event effectively to the public.  

  • Showcase Your Passion: Your event should reflect your organization’s mission and passions. Every industry has something amazing to share, and we’re excited to help you shape your ideas.
  • STEAM Focus: Events should prominently feature science, technology, engineering, art, and/or mathematics. Interdisciplinary approaches are encouraged—don’t be afraid to try something new or revisit successful ideas.
  • Sound Science: Events must be grounded in accurate, evidence-based science. While creative and artistic approaches are welcome, events promoting misinformation, pseudoscience, or conspiracy theories will not be accepted.
  • Host Responsibilities: As the event host, you’ll manage all aspects of your event, including planning, content, staffing, and costs. We’re here to support you along the way!
  • Timing: Events should take place during the COSI Science Festival. Events that begin before but end during the Festival may be considered. Please avoid scheduling events on the final day during the Big Science Celebration at COSI.
  • Event Location: Most in-person events are held in Ohio, but virtual events are welcome. Have an idea for an event outside Ohio? Let’s chat! Email us at [email protected].
  • Public Access: Events should be open to the public, with free events strongly encouraged. Consider your audience’s needs, including transportation, timing, and parking. Special consideration will be given to events that bring science to underserved communities.
  • Event Costs: Free events are preferred. Events with paid admission (e.g., museum entry) are acceptable, and ticketed events should only cover production costs. Fundraising events for other causes are generally not supported.
  • Provide Feedback: We ask that you share feedback on your event experience to help us improve the Festival for everyone.
  • Non-Commercial: To maintain the Festival’s educational and community focus, excessively commercial events may be declined. Festival organizers reserve the right to reject any event for any reason.
  • Reach New Audiences: The Festival isn’t just about boosting attendance—it’s about connecting new audiences to the science in your work. COSI’s trusted brand helps highlight your organization’s impact while celebrating how science benefits us all.
  • Marketing Toolkit: We’ll provide a comprehensive toolkit to help you promote your event. It includes strategy tips, promotional materials, signage, and easy-to-follow guidance—perfect for hosts without a marketing background.
  • Event Promotion: Your event will be featured on the COSI Science Festival website, promoted through COSI’s social media channels, and included in a statewide marketing campaign to maximize visibility.
  • STEAM Expert Support: Need a scientist or subject-matter expert to strengthen your event? Let us know! We’ll work to connect you with knowledgeable professionals who can enhance your programming.
  • COSI Representative: We aim to send a COSI representative to your event to support and celebrate your efforts. However, due to the number of events, attendance is not guaranteed. Please ensure your programming centers on your organization and team.
  • Festival Swag: Everyone loves free stuff! Hosts will receive COSI Science Festival swag to share with attendees and help build excitement.
  • Festival Impact Report: After the Festival, you’ll receive a report detailing your event’s reach and impact—perfect for grant applications, internal reporting, and future planning.

Possible events include tours, science cafes, family science events, exhibitions, performances, hands-on activities, and many more. Please see the 2025 Event Archive for more examples.

The COSI Science Festival team will review submitted events and ensure they meet our selection criteria. Events that meet the selection criteria are named “Official Events.” If a proposed event does not meet the selection criteria, Festival staff will contact the event organizer to suggest modifications.

Need help with an event idea?

If you’d like to host an event but need an idea, we can help. The Festival team is happy to consult with members of your organization to discuss event possibilities and to connect you with like-minded STEAM professionals in your region. For more information, please contact: [email protected].