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Science Alive

Discover the Wonders of Science at a Community Favorite Event!

Science Alive

Saturday, February 7th, 2026

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Get ready for a day of exploration, discovery, and fun! Science Alive brings together the magic of science, technology, engineering, and art with interactive exhibits, live stage shows, and hands-on activities for all ages.

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

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.
Live Stage Shows with Local Experts in science, plants, and animals.

Event Details

  • Date & Time: Saturday, February 7, 2026 | 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 nearly 40 local organizations.
  • Stage Shows: Enjoy engaging performances in the auditorium all day long!
  • Extras: Meet presenters, get your face painted, and take fun photos.

Parking

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

2026 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!

Note: For security purposes we will be clearing out the auditorium of all people and personal items following all stage shows.

Wild Weather with ABC 57

The ABC 57 Weather team will lead an informative and fascinating talk about the wonders of weather!

10:30am – 11:00am

Zoo to You with Potawatomi Zoo

Bring the whole family for a WILD Zoo to You program! You’ll have the opportunity to meet animals from Potawatomi Zoo, learn about the wild spaces they inhabit and how to protect them in a fun-filled presentation for all ages.

11:30am – 12:30pm

Buzz, Bloom, and Beyond with the Spaulding Restorations

Observation is a key component of science, and Spaulding Restorations 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.

1:00pm – 1:30pm

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. This year she will be performing two shows, with a meet and greet session immediately following her second performance.

Performance Times:

2:00pm – 2:30pm

3:00pm – 3:30pm

Meet & Greet: 3:30pm – 4:00pm

  • ASCE NC Branch
  • Association for Women in Science, Notre Dame
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor
  • Brain Ambassadors
  • Chemistry Graduate Student Organization
  • CISTAR
  • Citizens’ Climate Lobby
  • Donate Life Indiana
  • EARTH ND
  • Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana
  • History of Manned Spaceflight
  • Indiana Dunes Chapter of the 99s
  • Indiana University South Bend Anthropology Club
  • IU School of Medicine – South Bend
  • Michiana Amateur Radio Club
  • Michiana Astronomical Society
  • Nanomaterial Fabrication Research Laboratory
  • Notre Dame Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Notre Dame Rocketry Team
  • Nuclear Science Laboratory
  • Notre Dame Biology Graduate Student Organization
  • PBS Michiana-WNIT
  • Potawatomi Zoo
  • Prairie Winds Nature Farm, Inc.
  • Prof. Molly Duman Scheel Lab
  • Purdue Polytechnic High School South Bend
  • Riverbend Community Math Center
  • Rum Village Nature Center
  • Saint Joseph High School Science Club
  • Shirley Heinze Land Trust
  • Smoke Free St. Joe
  • Solid Waste Management District of SJC
  • South Bend Ecological Advocacy Committee
  • South Bend Elkhart Bird Alliance
  • St. Joseph County Parks
  • St. Joseph County Soil & Water Conservation District
  • Studebaker National Museum
  • Talk With Your Baby
  • University of Notre Dame Actinide Research Facility
  • South Bend Children’s Museum

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