Science in a Bag: Hands-On Experiments for Wisconsin Kids
Sometimes, a simple drawstring bag can ignite a child’s interest in science, the environment, or agriculture. This is the concept behind Science in a Bag, a statewide initiative providing Wisconsin kids and families with hands-on science experiments that can be done anywhere.
Origin and Growth
The program emerged from the annual Wisconsin Science Festival, which had to cancel in-person events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of letting 2,000 festival bags go to waste, organizers, with help from Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom, filled each bag with engaging STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities and distributed them to libraries across the state.
Today, the program has grown to over 3,000 bags, with even a waiting list for interested libraries.
Community Engagement
Lindsay Tuszynski from Bekkum Memorial Library highlights how the program helps engage the public. “As a smaller library, we’re looking for ways to attract patrons and show that we offer more than just books,” she shared.
Connecting Generations
The bags contain diverse activities, from studying fruit fly anatomy to soil testing. Tuszynski notes that these activities often encourage families to explore science together, allowing children to bring their curiosity home and involving adults in the process.
Wesley Marner from the Morgridge Institute emphasizes the program’s role in connecting kids to adults, making science accessible in community spaces. This intergenerational curiosity encourages adults to engage with science alongside their children.
A Growing Initiative
The Wisconsin Science Festival has a broad reach, featuring more than 800 events across 56 counties last year. The principle behind “Science in a Bag” is that learning can be fun—sometimes, getting a bit messy is the best way to learn.
If you’re interested in participating, find a library or science event near you here.
For more details, check out the full article on The Farm.
