Big Science Celebration

Big Science Celebration

May 2, 2026 | 11am - 5pm

Join us for the ultimate celebration of science and discovery! The Big Science Celebration (BSC) is a free, outdoor event featuring over 100 exhibitor stations filled with hands-on science activities hosted by STEAM professionals, researchers, and experts from Central Ohio and beyond. Held on the Scioto Peninsula surrounding COSI, this high-energy event also includes live performances, food trucks, and fun for all ages.

Whether you're a science enthusiast or just curious, there's something here for everyone. You don’t need to be a “science person” to enjoy the excitement—just bring your sense of wonder!

2026 Big Science Celebration Interactive Map

2026 Big Science Celebration Schedule

2026 Big Science Celebration Exhibitors

Interact with subject experts from many different STEAM fields including automotive engineering, nature conservation, robotics, genetics, archeology, computer engineering, biology, pharmacology, geology, and even entomology (the study of bugs). ​

  • Battelle
    • Explore the World of Science!
  • Bath & Body Works
    • Science of Fragrance
  • Honda
    • The Science Of Advanced Manufacturing
  • CAS, A division of the American Chemical Society
    • Science Takes Flight presented by CAS, A division of the American Chemical Society
  • ADB SAFEGATE
    • Lighting the Way: Airfield Science in Action
  • Cardinal Health
    • Printing Better Care
  • OSU – Arabidopsis Biological Resource Center
    • What Plants Need
  • OSU – Astronomy
    • Exoplanets
  • OSU – Battelle Center for Science, Engineering, and Public Policy
    • Design for Zero Gravity: A Classroom in Space
  • OSU – Biochemistry Program
    • Life’s Tiny Tools: Biochemistry in Action!
  • OSU – Biomedical Engineering Department
    • Engineering the Future of Medicine
  • OSU – Buckeye Language Network
    • Language Science in Action
  • OSU – Buckeye Solar Racing
    • Solar Car Exhibit
  • OSU – Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Brain Imaging
    • Buckeye Brains
  • OSU – Chemistry & Biochemistry Demonstrations Lab
    • Bubbles, Pressure, and Fizzy Fun
  • OSU – Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
    • Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
  • OSU – College of Medicine, Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity
    • How Can Your DNA Cause and Cure Disease?
  • OSU – College of Medicine-Divison of Anatomy
    • Pump It Up!
  • OSU – College of Nursing, Office of Community Outreach and Engagement
    • Be A Heart Hero!
  • OSU – College of Pharmacy
    • Pharmacists: Your Medication Experts
  • OSU – College of Pharmacy, Generation Rx
    • Medication Safety for All!
  • OSU – College of Veterinary Medicine
    • So You Want to be a Veterinarian?
  • OSU – Department of Chemical Engineering, ChemE Car and STEM Ambassadors
    • A Berry Timely Reaction
  • OSU – Department of Computer Science and Engineering
    • The Science of Light-up Fashion
  • OSU – Department of Engineering
    • Buckeye Builders: Grow Big. Stand Strong.
  • OSU – Department of Entomology
    • Bugmobile
  • OSU – Department of Integrated and Systems Engineering
    • The Shortcut Challenge: Find the Perfect Path
  • OSU – Department of Materials Science Engineering and Welding
    • Engineering Metal Testing and Evaluation
  • OSU – Department of Molecular Genetics
    • FUNdamentals of Genetics
  • OSU – Extension Family and Consumer Sciences
    • Build-A-Better Snack Mix
  • OSU – HAMMER Engineering Research Center
    • Manufacturing with Play-Doh!
  • OSU – Human Nutrition
    • Sugar Detectives
  • OSU – Infectious Diseases Institute
    • Tick Talk, Tick Talk
  • OSU – Mathematics
    • Math Beyond the Classroom
  • OSU – Microbiology Department Sullivan Lab
    • Phage Hunters
  • OSU – School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
    • Buckle Up With Brutus
  • OSU – Society Of Women Engineers
    • Can You Make Electricity Flow With Playdoh?
  • OSU – STEMcoding Education
    • STEMcoding In Your Classes!
  • OSU – The EcoCAR Challenge Team
    • Charge Into the Future: Build and Learn with Electric Vehicles
  • OSU – The Microbiology Club/Department of Microbiology
    • Microbes Seeing the Light
  • OSU – Wexner Medical Center, Nutrition Services
    • Mobile Education Kitchen
  • OSU – Wexner Medical Center-Trauma Department
    • Preventing Injuries!
  • OSU – Wonders of Our World (WOW) Program
    • Balloon Rocket
  • Vertiv
    • How Does a Data Center Work?
  • COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority)
    • Wheel Fun Starts Here!
  • 80 Acres Farms
  • American Petroleum Institute & Ohio Natural Energy Institute
    • Fueling Your Future
  • Andelyn Biosciences
    • Advancing Discoveries. Manufacturing Cures.
  • Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
    • Engaging Curious Minds
  • City of Grove City/ South-Western City School District Career Academy
    • “The Glass Box”
  • Civil Air Patrol and City of Whitehall
    • Start your path to the Sky with CAP
  • Club SciKidz Columbus
    • STEAM Summer Camps Connecting Science & Tech!
  • Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks
    • Take a Closer Look at the Outdoors
  • Columbus Gospelfest
    • Science Behind Music
  • Columbus Metropolitan Library
    • Spaces to Explore Science
  • Columbus Museum of Art
    • Nature Print Lab
  • Columbus Recreation and Parks
    • Tree Rings and Things
  • Columbus School for Girls
    • Columbus School for Girls
  • Columbus Soap Box Derby Gravity
    • Drag Racing for Kids
  • Columbus State Community College
    • Space 1: Columbus State Community College: Come Watch Us Grow!
      Columbus State Community College
    • Space 2: Columbus State Community College: The Smart Choice for What’s Next
  • Columbus Symphony Orchestra
    • Sounds of the Symphony
  • Columbus Water & Power
    • Sustainability
  • Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
    • Columbus Zoo: Explore Conservation Career
  •  COSI
    • Chalkworks
  • COSI – The Platform: 10th Grade Cohort
    • Connect Back!
  • COSI – The Platform: 11th Grade Cohort
    • Virtual Reality Experience!
  • COSI – The Platform: 9th Grade Cohort
    • Hands On Science Spots!
  • Critical Ops
    • Critical Ops Drone Flight Zone
  • CropKing Inc
    • Hands-On Hydroponics
  • DarkSky Ohio
    • Protect the Night
  • Elford
    • Think It. BIM It. Build It.
  • Forge Biologics
    • Forging the Future of Science
  • Franklin County Auditor’s Office
    • Weights and Measures
  • Franklin County Coroner’s Office
  • Franklin County Recorder’s Office
    • The Science of Record Keeping
  • Franklinton Cycle Works
    • Bikes and Science
  • Giant Eagle Pharmacy
    • Get messy in the pharmacy
  • Grant Imahara STEAM Foundation
    • RoboBattles: 2026 COSI Championship
  • iHeartMedia The
    • Science of Audio
  • LeafFilter Gutter Protection
    • LeafFilter Gutter Protection
  • Livewell Animal Urgent Care of Worthington
    • Think Fast: Inside Animal Urgent Care
  • London City Schools
    • Racing Into Physics!
  • Makerspace Central
    • The Design Challenge Zone
  • Metro Schools
  • MMEC
    • Chip Quest: Build It, VR It, Open It
  • National Veterans Memorial and Museum
    • DIY Paratroopers: Mission Safe Landing
  • Naval STEM
    • Naval STEM
  • NCH Institute for Genomic Medicine/ Research Institute Trainee Association
    • DNA Detectives: Solving Mysteries from DNA to Diagnosis
  • New Albany High School
    • Robotics & Rocketry Clubs Exploring Robotics & Rocketry with New Albany High School
  • NSF Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry
    • Need a Recharge? Build a Battery!
  • Ohio Craft Museum
    • Farm to Flutter – Transforming wool into a felted butterfly!
  • Ohio Department of Health
    • Buzz & Bite: Disease Detectives at ODH
  • Ohio Department of Higher Education
    • Made in Ohio: STEM Education & Opportunities
  • Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Division of Forestry
    • Trees for the Forest
  • Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Division of Geological Survey
    • “Anyone Can Be a Geoscientist!”
  • Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Division of Mineral Resources
    • The Science of Fire Prevention and Safety
  • Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Division of Natural Areas & Preserves
    • Marvelous Macros!
  • Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Division of Wildlife
    • Bat Biologists at Work: Discover Ohio’s Bats
  • Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Ohio State Parks & Watercraft
    • Explore Water Safety with Ohio State Parks & Watercraft
  • Ohio Life Sciences
    • BioPathways
  • Ohio Wildlife Center and Ohio Lights Out
    • Get in Touch with your WILD Side
  • Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
    • Electric Safety Display
  • Reynoldsburg High School Robotics Team
    • 4085 STEAM Robotics and Engineering Exploration
  • Roto
  • Rumpke Waste & Recycling
    • Recycling Education
  • School of Rock Columbus
    • The Science Behind Rock’n’Roll!
  • Solstice Outreach
    • Space Science and Astronomy with Solstice Outreach
  • Sparkbyte
    • Sparkbyte The Future of Learning Electronics
  • SSA Group
    • COSI Museum Store
  • The Boeing Company
    • Electrical Engineering at Boeing
  • The Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation
    • The Sweet Science Behind Glass Fibers
  • The City of Hilliard
    • The Art of Slime: Slime Egg Experiment
  • THK Manufacturing of America, Inc.
    • The Science of Linear Motion
  • Unlimited Possibilities For All Disabilities (UPFAD)
    • Disability Innovators in Science & Technology
  • Upper Arlington Public Library
    • Build a Bookmark!
  • US Army Corps of Engineers
    • Science is Dam Fun!
  • Village of Lockbourne
    • Take An Adventure Along the Ohio & Erie Canal
  • Wayne National Forest
    • Discover Your Forest
  • Westerville Community
    • Hands-On Biomedical Engineering & Simulation
  • WOW That’s STEM Columbus Branch
    • Exploring Artificial Intelligence

The Big Science Celebration is a rain or shine event. Please come prepared for the weather. In the event of severe weather, stay tuned to our website and social media channels, as well as event staff, for updates.

Location

The BSC is located outside on the property and streets surrounding COSI at 333 West Broad St. Columbus, OH 43215.

Parking

There are many convenient options for parking within a short walking distance from COSI. Please click here for more parking details.

Amenities

Food trucks and food vendors will be available the day of the BSC.

Complementary bike parking is available at the corner of Washington Blvd. and Town St. at the end of the Rich St. Bridge for attendees opting to cycle to event.

Please note that COSI will be open on the day of the BSC but admission is required for entry to COSI.

Accessibility

Click here to read more about the accessibility resources that will be provided at the 2025 Big Science Celebration, such as Momentum Refresh – the nation’s first universally designed, ADA-Compliant mobile restroom – and our sensory space.

Community STEAM Events

From tours to trivia, educational talks, nature walks, and more, discover an array of exciting events for children, adults, families, and everyone in between. Held at locations around Ohio, these events highlight the science that is all around us by connecting us to the people who interact with it every day.

Click here to view this year’s Community STEAM Events!

Interested in exhibiting at the BSC?

Click the button to learn more