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Science Playground for Kids at Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO, USATuesday, March 3, 2026
The annual gathering at the Lory Student Center turned ordinary physics into a playground for more than 8,000 young visitors.
Hands‑On Excitement
- Robotic Arms – Children lifted objects with precision.
- Model Plane Simulators – Kids flew planes in virtual skies.
- Mini Tornadoes – Spinning liquids in bottles created swirling vortexes.
- Static‑Electric Disco Floor – Rubbing the floor triggered colorful lights.
These activities were just a glimpse of the 300 experiments lined up inside five themed ballrooms, each focused on a different branch of physical science: magnetism, light, gravity, the atmosphere, and the human body.
Highlights
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Muscle Movement Displays | A 16‑year‑old student enjoyed exhibits on how muscles work. |
| Tesla Coil | His younger brother was fascinated by the electric spark show. |
| Wooden Trebuchet | Launched teddy bears every half hour for children to chase. |
| Paper Rocket Table | Participants crafted rockets and launched them with hand‑pumped air. |
| Giant Bubbles | Soap mixtures produced enormous bubbles for all to admire. |
| Miniature Car Races | Small cars and all‑terrain vehicles raced around a track. |
| 37‑Foot Mobile Lab | Equipped with VR headsets to dive into biology topics. |
| Free Ice‑Cream Station | Students mixed liquid nitrogen with donated dairy to serve cold treats. |
Tradition & Collaboration
- Founded in 1992 – A yearly tradition, paused for two years during the pandemic.
- Exhibit Design – Undergraduate students from the College of Natural Sciences lead most displays, with contributions from other departments and 38 external partners.
- Eighth‑Graders’ Project – A local school group designed over 100 experiments in just two days for a class project.
Purpose
Beyond fun, the event provides campus students opportunities to:
- Practice explaining science concepts.
- Manage projects and exhibit design.
The community, meanwhile, enjoys interactive learning in a vibrant, hands‑on environment.
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