Science Alive 2021
Month-long virtual celebration begins February 1
Enjoy a month of scientific discovery and fun as Science Alive goes virtual in February 2021.
To view our virtual exhibitors' page for activities, videos, and experiments for all ages!
Don't miss virtual programs from our partners on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays throughout the month. From returning favorites like Silly Safaris, to new presenters like the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, there is something for everyone to enjoy—from the comfort of home! Register below.
Science Alive 2021 Schedule of Virtual Events
Silly Safaris (Morning Show)
Saturday, February 6, 2021
11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Registration required! Register here.
They're back! Amazon John will be broadcasting right into your house with his collection of amazing and wild animals. Can you imagine an owl in your living room? Or a giant snake in your kitchen? Join us to find out! Please register to receive the passcode which will be emailed to you 48 hours prior to the event.
Silly Safaris (Afternoon Show)
Saturday, February 6, 2021
12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Registration required! Register here.
They're back! Amazon John will be broadcasting right into your house with his collection of amazing and wild animals. Can you imagine an owl in your living room? Or a giant snake in your kitchen? Join us to find out! Please register to receive the passcode which will be emailed to you 48 hours prior to the event.
Winter on the Farm with Prairie Winds Nature Farm
Saturday, February 6, 2021
2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
No registration required. Zoom link here.
Join our friends at Prairie Winds Nature Farm for a virtual tour of their farm. Learn what the animals are up to during the winter and how the animals and land are maintained through the winter season!
Catapults and Kinetic Energy, presented by ND Energy
Tuesday, February 9
4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
No registration required. Zoom link here.
MacKenzie Winton from ND Energy will fling us into fun with her demonstration on catapults and potential and kinetic energy.
Learn about potential and kinetic energy through making a homemade catapult. Follow along at home, or sit back and relax while you watch a catapult at work! Think up any questions you might have about Notre Dame Engineering or about being an engineer and you can ask it during this session.
If you want to follow along at home please have the following materials on hand:
- popsicle sticks (or pencils)
- rubber bands (or hair ties)
- a plastic spoon
- mini marshmallows (or small bouncy balls) for catapulting!
Live Animal Encounter with Potawatomi Zoo
Thursday, February 11, 2021
3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Registration required. Register here.
Are you missing the zoo? This is your chance for a peek at what some of the animals are up to while the Potawatomi Zoo is closed for the season. The Potawatomi Zoo plans to reopen to the general public on April 2, 2021, but until then join us online!
Rockets and More! Presented by the Notre Dame Rocketry team
Saturday, February 13
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Registration required! Register here.
Blast off! The Notre Dame Rocketry Team will explain a bit about who they are, and what they do, followed by an exciting interactive rocketry game. Please register to receive the passcode which will be emailed to you 48 hours prior to the event.
Cold Blooded Classification - Reptiles, presented by the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
Saturday, February 13, 2021
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Registration required! Register here.
Leslie Science and Nature Center joins us with LIVE reptiles in our lab as we explore what makes a reptile a reptile. By making observations, you will compare and contrast live reptiles in order to classify them. Together we will explore the adaptations that make them successful while students examine the snake and lizard skins. Please register to receive the passcode 48 hours prior to event.
Separation of Materials Using Chromatography, presented by ND Energy
Tuesday, February 16
4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
No registration required. Zoom link here.
Kelsey Farr, from ND Energy will demonstrate chromatography using markers, a coffee filter, and water. The importance of separation of materials in some different scientific applications will be discussed. Not sure what chromatography is? Join us for this virtual event on zoom to find out more!
Archeological Sites, presented by the National Parks Service, Midwestern Archaeological Center
Thursday, February 18, 2021
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Registration required! Register here.
Get all the dirt on archeology! Explore different archeological sites throughout the world, focusing on sites in the Midwest region of the National Park Service. This program focuses on how sites are discovered, what archeologists can learn from sites, and the importance of the artifacts which are found.
Potential & Kinetic Energy, presented by ND Energy
Saturday, February 20
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Registration required! Register here.
Let's get moving! Lucas Barreto from ND Energy will inform the audience all about potential/kinetic energy. Please register to receive the passcode 48 hours in advance of the event.
What’s the Matter?, presented by Science Central
Saturday, February 20, 2021
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Registration required! Register here.
Liquid nitrogen is always a smash hit! Science Central presents this demonstration with lots of shockingly cool phenomena! You will be exposed to concepts of very low temperatures and their effects on materials around them. Please register to receive the passcode which will be emailed to you 48 hours prior to the event.
The Power of Heat, presented by ND Energy
Tuesday, February 23
4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
No registration required. Zoom link here.
Join ND Energy's Tara Senn for one of science's hottest topics: thermal energy!
Enjoy a thought provoking demonstration of the power of thermal energy. This presentation will offer insight into the power of heat as a renewable energy source. Renewable energy systems that incorporate thermal energy include biomass, geothermal, and solar.
The Power of Wind - Make Your Own Windmill, presented by ND Energy
Thursday, February 25
4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
No registration required. Zoom link here.
Join ND Energy's Nathaniel Hiott as he delves into the topic of wind and how we can harness it for renewable energy.
Come and learn all about one of the most exciting new sources of renewable energy: wind! After learning what wind energy is you can follow along at home or you can watch the demonstration on how to build your very own windmill.
Recommended materials:
- construction paper
- string
- scissors
- tape
- large straws
- wooden pencil
- small disposable cup (optional)
- hole punch (optional, but useful!)
Fossil Fuels and Clean Energy, presented by ND Energy
Saturday, February 27
11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
No registration required. Zoom link here.
What do chocolate chips have to do with fossil fuels? Join ND Energy's Caitlin Clancy and Lyla Senn to find out!
Log on to learn about fossil fuel mining and its environmental impacts by using a "chocolate chip cookie mining" activity. A discussion and demonstration on clean energy alternatives to counterpose the fossil fuel issue will follow. Q&A will end the program.
Extraordinary Eagles, Presented by ND-LEEF
Saturday, February 27
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
No registration required. Zoom link here.
Join staff from the University of Notre Dame Linked Experimental Ecosystem Facility (ND-LEEF) to learn more about bald eagles!
After being driven to near-extinction 50 years ago, bald eagles populations are now thriving in Indiana. Join staff from the University of Notre Dame Linked Experimental Ecosystem Facility (ND-LEEF) to learn more about amazing creatures and their comeback story. We'll also take a live tour of the bald eagle at ND-LEEF nest using the webcam mounted above the nest to see what the eagles are up to as they prepare for their nesting season.
Science Alive Raffle
Did you check out our virtual Science Alive?
If so, fill out this form to enter our raffle for some cool science prizes!
DIY SCIENCE ON SJCPL JR.
Ready to explore? Watch DIY science experiments for kids on our YouTube channel.
