The City of Circleville and OSU Extension, Pickaway County joined forces this spring to participate in the 2020 COSI SciFest, held virtually, to teach and engage communities in science through the COVID-19 pandemic. We were able to offer two unique programs appealing to both youth and adults. The first program, Meet a Polymer Scientist & Engineer Library Youth Program, has Peggy Scott, a polymer scientist, and Christy Yu, a quality engineer, from DuPont sharing their personal experiences and passion for STEM careers to youth and their families. This program teaches about polymer chemistry and exploring science careers. “Click here” to stream recording.

Program 1: Meet A Scientist, Polymer Science Library Youth Program, Webinar recorded by COSI and uploaded to YouTube https://youtu.be/UIYlldO-AnE.

The second program Science Bar Talk teaches the ins and outs of beer from field to glass! The program starts with barley farmer Scott Metzger and OSU Extension Educator Mike Estadt sharing insights and the history of barley in Ohio. To Whitney Thompson of Origin Malt on the science and process of taking barley and turning it into malt. Nick Zachrich of Zachrich Hop Yard Farm shares the science of hop growing and the role of hops here in Ohio. And Jason McKibben, Brewmaster of North High Brewing, concludes with the science behind brewing beer. “Click here” to stream recording.

Program 2: Science Bar Talk, Webinar recorded by COSI and uploaded to YouTube, https://youtu.be/Vz-WcAzedUo. 

Partnerships Matter. Science Matters.

These programs could not be made possible without partnerships. Our local businesses, industries, farmers, educators, and sponsors came together to share their passion and knowledge in their areas of expertise. Many weeks of planning and re-organizing went into switching gears from our face-to-face programs to virtual events in our efforts to adhere to social distancing. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to making science come alive (virtually!)