Annual Spring Fest to feature new interactive activities and science exploration across campus

Story by Jillian Ellison, photos by Tom Campbell

April 4, 2023

The annual Purdue College of Agriculture’s Spring Fest will return on April 15, offering several new interactive activities for all ages.

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Spring Fest will take place throughout the College of Agriculture grounds and buildings, the College of Veterinary Medicine and on the Memorial Mall, free and open to the public with dozens of educational opportunities for all ages.

“This event is always a great way to hear about what is happening within our college and departments across the university. It really allows for students enrolled at Purdue to share their passions with the community as well,” said Amy Winger, event coordinator. “There is something for everybody, and you’ll likely find a new interest while you’re here, too.”

Several new activities will be featured, including maggot painting, where participants will allow the insects to do some of the creativity for them, and a virtual approach to cryogenic lab equipment, where participants will be able to try their hand at operating state-of-the-art cryogenics equipment in the virtual world.

Entomology professor emeritus Tom Turpin will return to campus to host a “Cockroach Coliseum,” located in the tent in front of Smith Hall. Participants will be given a number, and Turpin will release a cockroach in the center of the course table. The numbered entrance the cockroach scuttles into will be the winning number.

One attendee known by many seasoned Spring Fest goers will be Ethyl, the fistulated cow, offering those interested in the opportunity to reach inside a window opening on the cow’s side to learn about a cow’s digestive system.

Free parking for Spring Fest is available in the Marsteller Street and Discovery Park parking lots and the Wood Street Parking Garage. The Harrison Street Garage also is available as a paid parking option.

For a full schedule, list of activities and additional information visit ag.purdue.edu/springfest

Featured Stories

Cankui Zhang named University Faculty Scholar, seeks plant sustainability

Cankui Zhang, associate professor of agronomy, is a recipient of the 2023 University Faculty...

Purdue Field Day participants listen and learn from Purdue Botany and Plant Pathology experts.

Cutting-edge weed research tour and info sessions offered at Purdue Weed Science Field Day

Purdue University’s College of Agriculture will host its Weed Science Field Day on Tuesday,...

Fresh cuts of beef line the racks at the Boilermaker Butcher Block.

Beefing over prices: How brisket went from the cheapest to most coveted cut

A king among barbecue platters, the brisket is a finicky cut of meat packed with fat and tissue....

Food scientist examines mouse tissue through a microscope that is displayed on a computer monitor

Laboratory fishing expedition reels in a big catch: hidden pathogenic role of a housekeeping enzyme in Listeria

Purdue University doctoral student Dongqi Liu has identified a previously unknown strategy that...

Purdue-led USDA project aims to double impact of climate-smart Corn Belt agriculture

Purdue University is leading a $1.5 million partnership with the U.S. Department of...

Indiana Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs honors Purdue’s Nicoletti-Martinez’s outreach and assistance to migrant farm workers

For a career dedicated to assisting migrant farmworkers and their families for over 20 years,...