Kids Explore Science at Annual 'Science Alive' Event

University of Notre Dame hosts interactive exhibits on biology, chemistry, and physics for local students

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The St. Joseph County Public Library hosted its annual 'Science Alive' event, sponsored by the University of Notre Dame, where local students engaged in hands-on science activities and demonstrations. The event featured presentations from the Potawatomi Zoo, the ABC57 weather team, and Notre Dame professor Kate Biberdorf, known as 'Kate the Chemist', who wowed the audience with experiments showcasing physical and chemical changes. Other booths allowed kids to build cars, make paper airplanes, and learn about science concepts through touch and smell.

Why it matters

The 'Science Alive' event provides an engaging way for children in the community to explore different scientific disciplines and interact with scientists and science-focused organizations. By sparking their interest in STEM fields at a young age, the event aims to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.

The details

The event took place at the main branch of the St. Joseph County Public Library in downtown South Bend. In addition to the presentations and demonstrations, there were various booths manned by graduate and undergraduate students from the University of Notre Dame, as well as other local organizations like the Indiana Dunes chapter of the Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots and the Children's Museum of South Bend. Kids were able to participate in hands-on activities, learn about endangered species, and even be filmed and inserted into their favorite TV shows.

  • The 'Science Alive' event was held on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
  • Kate Biberdorf, also known as 'Kate the Chemist', gave two afternoon presentations at the event.

The players

Kate Biberdorf

A professor of public understanding of science at the University of Notre Dame, popularly known as 'Kate the Chemist' for her engaging science demonstrations.

Potawatomi Zoo

A local zoo that brought animals, including a red-tailed hawk named Betty Hawk, to the 'Science Alive' event to teach children about endangered species and the natural world.

University of Notre Dame

The sponsor of the 'Science Alive' event, with graduate and undergraduate students manning booths to engage kids in various science activities and experiments.

St. Joseph County Public Library

The host of the annual 'Science Alive' event, which took place at the main library branch in downtown South Bend.

ABC57

The local weather team that gave a presentation on weather at the 'Science Alive' event.

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What they’re saying

“I'm just learning about, like, the cool, like, science stuff. Like looking at, like, learning about the human body parts.. And like the animal pelts … I wanted to touch them.”

— Layla Barnett, Fifth grader at Springfield Elementary in Michigan City

“My favorite part was just being able to go and have fun.”

— Haley Redding, Fifth grader at Pine Elementary

What’s next

The St. Joseph County Public Library plans to host the 'Science Alive' event again next year, continuing to provide local students with engaging opportunities to explore science and interact with scientists.

The takeaway

The 'Science Alive' event demonstrates the value of hands-on, interactive science education for inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators. By partnering with local organizations and universities, the library is able to offer a diverse range of science-focused activities that cater to students' interests and learning styles.