Weird Science Fair 2026
February 23, 2026
The Weird Science Fair returns to Steenbock Library on Wednesday, March 25th from 12:00 – 2:00 PM for a study break full of hands-on science activities and cool conversations with researchers from all over campus. Grab a slice of free pizza and get ready to learn about research on campus, resources, and ways to get involved!
Announcing the one-of-a-kind collectible sticker that will be given out at the fair: Designed by undergraduate student, Kendra Seering, this sticker features a simplistic drawing of a Tiktaalik- a species that is the transition between fish and tetrapods.
Activities and partners:
- Explore cool Veterinary Anatomy with models
- Play with dry ice bubbles and create alginate worms with Chemistry GSFLC Outreach
- Feed yeast with Wisconsin Energy Institute
- Play Organ Trail: 1700s (not a typo!) with Ebling Library
- Debunk sleep myths with SleepHealth Ambassadors
- Investigate the microscopic differences between natural and plastic fabric samples with Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection
- Design an engineering solution to prevent erosion with Wisconsin Water Library
- Examine the effects of plant based dyes and metal salts on fabric with Allen Centennial Garden (Instagram: @allencentennialgarden)
- Do hands-on activities and learn about the Wisconsin Science Festival (Instagram: @wiscifest)
- Make candy DNA with the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center
- Physics fun with Department of Physics
- Guess the patent with the Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC)
- Bottle your own museum specimen with Steenbock Library
- Science Trivia with Steenbock Library
- Hands on activities with WISCIENCE – Service with Youth in STEM Afterschool Club
- Analyze differences in DNA sequences between autoimmune and healthy plants with Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences (Instagram: @UWMadisonPAS)
- Look at microscopic mysteries with Biocore Outreach Ambassadors (Instagram: @uwbiocore)
This event is free and open to all. No RSVP needed, just stop by!
For questions please contact Steenbock Library