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Science Alive

Discover the Wonders of Science at a Community Favorite Event!

Get ready for a day of exploration, discovery, and fun! Science Alive 2025 brings together the magic of science, technology, engineering, and art with interactive exhibits, live stage shows, and hands-on activities for all ages. Join us at the Main Library on Saturday, February 8, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM to spark curiosity and inspire learning in a dynamic, family-friendly atmosphere.

The best part? It’s completely free, and you don’t need a library card or registration to join the fun. 

Plan Your Visit
A young boy closely examines a glowing plasma ball, his hands lightly touching its surface as the light follows his fingers.
Interactive exhibits spark curiosity and fun for all ages!
A boy interacts with a pulley system exhibit, surrounded by a bustling crowd in the background.
Hands-on engineering activities bring science to life.
Children eagerly watch a live science demonstration featuring vapor and energy at a Notre Dame Physics/ISNAP exhibit.
Real time experiments that will captivate and inspire young learners.
A group of children gather around a table, experimenting with colorful liquids and tools during a hands-on activity.
Interactive demos from over 40 local organizations.
Three children focus intently on a hands-on science activity, using paint and vegetables as stamps to create art. The table in front of them is covered with colorful supplies and paint-covered vegetables, while adults look on in the background.
Activities that spark creativity and critical thinking.
A presenter wearing a vest holds a large owl with outstretched wings during an educational animal demonstration.
Live Stage Shows with Local Experts in science, plants, and animals.

Event Details

  • Date & Time: Saturday, February 8, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Location: Main Library – 304 S. Main Street, South Bend, IN 46601
  • Admission: FREE! No registration or library card needed—just stop by and enjoy the fun.

What to Expect

  • Exhibitors: Explore fascinating displays & interactive exhibits from local organizations.
  • Stage Shows: Enjoy engaging performances in the auditorium all day long!
  • Extras: Meet presenters, get your face painted, and take fun photos.
  • Food & Drink: Local Food Trucks will be on site selling food & drinks to fuel your brain.

Parking

  • Available Options
    • Library Patron Lot (free)
    • Street parking on Main, Wayne, & Michigan Street
    • Nearby garages: Wayne Street Garage, Jefferson Boulevard, Main & Colfax Garage

2025 Stage Shows

Join us for an exciting lineup of stage shows in the Leighton Auditorium. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis—don’t miss your chance to experience these captivating presentations!

Wild Weather with WNDU

Jack Van Meter & Alyssa Heilmann from the WNDU Weather team will lead an informative and fascinating talk about the wonders of weather!

10:30am – 11:00am

Zoo to You with Potawatomi Zoo

Enjoy an exciting stage show featuring live animals from the Potawatomi Zoo. Learn fascinating facts about wildlife and their habitats, all from the comfort of your seat!

11:30am – 12:00pm

Buzz, Bloom, and Beyond with the Botany Shop

Observation is a key component of science, and the Botany Shop looks forward to walking you through the power of observation with our native plants and animals. Do animals have a favorite food? Do pollinators have a favorite flower? Do bees have super power eyesight? Come learn about important relationships between our native plants and animals in this interactive presentation.

12:30pm – 1:00pm

Paleo Joe

Paleo Joe is a real-life paleontologist, author, and storyteller who brings dinosaurs to life with his high-energy presentation. Dive into thrilling dinosaur dig stories and paleontology facts that captivate audiences of all ages.

1:30pm – 2:00pm

Kate the Chemist

As seen on the Today Show and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Dr. Kate Biberdorf wows audiences with explosive experiments and a dynamic approach to science that breaks stereotypes and inspires curiosity.

Performance: 2:30pm – 3:30pm

Meet & Greet: 3:30pm – 4:00pm

Full List of Exhibitors

  • American Society of Civil Engineers IN NC Branch
  • Association of Women in Science (AWIS) at Notre Dame
  • Belovsky Lab / University of Notre Dame
  • Botany Shop
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Indiana Corridor
  • Brain Ambassadors (Neuroscience & Behavior/ Self-Healing Communities)
  • Career Academy Network of Public Schools
  • Chemistry Graduate Student Organization
  • CISTAR
  • Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana
  • History of Manned Spaceflight
  • Indiana Donor Network/Donate Life Indiana
  • Indiana Society of Professional Land Surveyors-St. Joseph Valley Chapter
  • Indiana University South Bend Anthropology Club
  • IU School of Medicine South Bend
  • Jaffe Lab University of Notre Dame
  • Michiana Astronomical Society
  • Nanomaterial Fabrication LaboratoryND Go Group
  • Notre Dame Actinide Research Facility (NDARF)
  • Paleo Joe
  • PBS-WNIT
  • Potawatomi Zoo
  • Prairie Winds Nature Farm
  • Purdue Polytechnic High School South Bend
  • Riley High School Computer Science & Engineering Magnet
  • Riverbend Community Math Center
  • Robinson Community Learning Center/ Talk with Your Baby
  • Rum Village Nature Center
  • Saint Joseph HS Science ClubShirley Heinze Land Trust
  • Smoke Free St. Joe County
  • Solid Waste Management District of SJC
  • South Bend Elkhart Audubon Society
  • South Bend Symphony
  • St. Joseph County Soil & Water Conservation District
  • Studebaker National Museum
  • The Music Village
  • The Notre Dame Rocketry Team
  • WNDU

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