Kansas Science Festival at Downtown MHK
The Kansas Science Festival’s signature event takes place on the streets of Downtown Manhattan, Kansas the last Saturday of April. In 2024, our third street festival promises to be bigger and better with more activities and an improved Science Walk to transport you from the street fair to the exciting activities hosted by the library. Gather your friends and family and join other festival goers in a day of fun, science-based experiences!
Schedule of Events
February - April | Ask a Scientist
Starting February 23, Kansas Science Festival and the Manhattan Public Library are teaming up to bring answers from real scientists to your questions. If you have a question that you would like a professional Scientist, Technology Expert, Engineer, Artist or Mathematician to answer, simply head to the Manhattan Public Library and look for the “Ask a Scientist” mailbox. Write your answer on one of the question sheets, slip it in the mailbox and we will find the expert to answer your question! Answers will be posted on the “Ask a Scientist” notice board near the mailbox and on the Kansas Science Festival & Manhattan Public Library Instagram accounts. You can also check back here to see questions and answers. The mailbox will be checked weekly on Wednesdays and answers posted as soon as we find the best expert for your question.
March 23rd | 11 am - 11:40 am | Bugs and Books
Join us at the Manhattan Public Library Saturday, March 23rd. Members of the Kansas Science Festival board will present fun stories about bugs, favorite songs, and some live insects you can look at up close and even touch. Brave kids are welcome to try a crispy cricket to eat! Fun for kids of all ages!
April 11th | 7 pm | Bugs 'n Beers
In the spirit of creativity and experimentation that defines science, the Kansas Science Festival and Manhattan Brewing Company are co-creating a food and beer tasting experience that spotlights the many different types of “bugs” that we regularly consume and other more exotic bugs that we can incorporate into the foods we eat to promote alternative sustainable and reliable protein sources.
April 27th | 11 am-4 pm | Kansas Science Festival
The Kansas Science Festival at Downtown Manhattan will provide tons of interactive science fun for audiences of all ages. Meet researchers from all career stages and community science practitioners and discover how they (and you) use science every day! Researchers from across the state will allow anyone to explore their work, spanning diverse topics that range from Mars rovers and mighty microbes to the science behind historical events in Kansas.
Organizations leading activities at this year’s festival – info coming soon!
Agriculture Education Club at K-State
BioKansas Innovation Festival
Cosmosphere
Ecology Club at K-State
Engineers without Borders
Flint Hills Discovery Center
Hale Library
Histochemical Society with Foldscope Instruments
Johnson Cancer Research Center
Kansas Children’s Discovery Center
Kodo Kids
Lafayette Lodge #16 – MCA Health Screenings
Manhattan Arts Center
MHK Drift Karts
MHK Play Studios
Milford Nature Center
Mobile Vet Clinic from K-State College of Vet Med
National Bio & Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF)
Popenoe Entomology Club at K-State
Sunset Zoo
US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Various Departments/Divisions from K-State