IU Astronomy participates each year in Science Fest, a fun-filled, educational experience for parents and kids of all ages organized by the College of Arts and Sciences. Science Fest offers exciting hands-on experiences with science, a chance to talk with real scientists, and an opportunity to learn about research at IU.

Visitors can tour historic Kirkwood Observatory and its 100 year-old-refracting telescope, and, if the weather is clear, check out sunspots with our solar telescope. Kids especially enjoy making mini-comets with our special recipe, and learning about the planets and the Solar System with our quiz-wheel (everyone gets a prize!). Other activities vary year-by-year, but might include a 3d view of a globular star cluster, constellation mapping, a planet bracelet, a Solar System walk to get a real sense of the size and scale of our place in space, or a view of ourselves in infrared light. Or maybe stop in for Story Time for with our youngest visitors. Come see what we have in store this year!

Visit the College’s Science Fest Page