Ball State Science Day Sparks Curiosity Through Hands-On Discovery
Ball State University students interact with a young visitor at Science Day.
Ball State Science Day brings children and families to campus for hands-on experiments led by students, combining STEM learning with community engagement.
Every year, children and families gather on Ball State University’s campus for Science Day, a vibrant hub of bubbling reactions, colorful demonstrations, and hands-on activities that often spark wide-eyed curiosity.
Hosted by the Ball State chapter of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (SAACS), this annual springtime event attracts local families with young children and other community members to explore science through interactive demonstrations. While the event is primarily geared to elementary school-aged children, organizers intentionally design activities for a range of ages and interests.
Visitors can experiment with materials such as fake snow, watch combustion demonstrations, and experience the popular elephant toothpaste reaction. Ball State students leading the experiments and demonstrations explain scientific concepts in ways children can understand.
“You can see the moment it clicks for them,” said Jacob Emert, ’26, a chemistry graduate and former SAACS president. “Science Day is a great addition to what these young students learn in their classrooms, helping them discover that science is exciting and accessible.”
Science Day is multidisciplinary, bringing together Ball State science students from physics, genetics, and other STEM fields. Organizers aim to leave the children inspired, regardless of which science discipline interests them.
Jackson Branson and his wife, Emily, ’15, visited Science Day this year with their 6-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter.
“It was the perfect blend of learning and fun for the whole family,” said Mr. Branson, a biology teacher at Muncie Central High School. “The demonstrations were accessible and hands-on for little ones. The individuals helping were patient and provided wonderful explanations for younger visitors.”
Anastasia Faddis, ’26, performs an experiment with a balloon and liquid nitrogen.
Science Day reflects Ball State’s longstanding commitment to community engagement and beneficence, as well as the University’s efforts to foster students’ leadership, communication, and outreach skills.
“I’ve always believed in giving back to my community. That’s something my parents instilled in me, and I saw it in practice at Ball State,” said Mr. Emert, who grew up in Muncie. “Science Day became one of my ways of practicing beneficence by giving back and helping others through education and engagement.”
Mr. Emert earned his bachelor of science in chemistry with ACS certification, with a concentration in biochemistry and a minor in mathematics, from the College of Sciences and Humanities in 2026.
Ms. Branson earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the College of Health in 2015. Mr. Branson completed a Transition to Teaching program at Ball State University in 2018.
