Celebrate Science Indiana made a major splash at this year’s Comic Con, drawing strong crowds, nonstop curiosity, and even television cameras. Across three days, thousands of kids, families, teachers, and science loving adults stopped by our booth to explore hands-on STEM activities, learn about our upcoming October 10, 2026 science festival, and meet our newest team member — Otto, our brand new otter mascot who instantly became a fan favorite. A special thank you to Matt Harris and Owen Schmidt for bringing Otto to life with such enthusiasm and skill. With attendees dressed in an incredible array of creative costumes, the booth buzzed with excitement from start to finish.

Otto (Owen Schmidt left & Matt Harris center) with Comic Con visitors dressed in costumes. At right Tonia & Glen Cook (SEFI Executive Director), Andy Harris (SEFI VP), Otto (Matt Harris), Linda Osborn (SEFI VP) & Robert Yost (CSI Executive Director and SEFI Chair.           

A Weekend of Publicity and Community Engagement

Our presence reached homes across Indiana. Three different TV stations, Wish TV with Colin Baillie, Fox 59 with Hannah Follman, and Marina Silva with NBC, aired interviews with our volunteer Board of Directors members from the booth. This visibility helped amplify our message and invited new audiences to discover Celebrate Science Indiana.

Throughout the weekend, we handed out our first‑edition CSI comic book — packed with cool experiment information and CSI, SEFI, and HSEF details — along with character stickers and CSI bracelets. Seven large posters and a brand‑new photo‑op backdrop with reusable magnetic signage helped create a vibrant, professional presence that drew in families and educators alike. Many teachers expressed interest in bringing their classrooms to our October event, opening the door to new school partnerships.

Daily Highlights from the Celebrate Science Indiana Booth

Friday, June 5 — Make Your Own Expanding Crystals with Guy Hansen (12–4 PM)

Kids kicked off the weekend by growing their own shimmering crystals through a fascinating endothermic reaction that expanded and took shape right before their eyes. This was sodium polyacrylate (a super-absorbent polymer capable of absorbing up to 1,000 times its weight in water) and water mixed to creating “instant snow”. Guy Hansen — a longtime Celebrate Science Indiana favorite and a chemical engineer from Eli Lilly — guided young scientists through the process, sparking curiosity and showing just how exciting chemistry can be.

Coding with Andy Harris & Ball State Computer Science (4–8 PM)

Friday, June 5 — Fun with Computer

The second half of Friday transformed the booth into a playful coding zone. Andy Harris, Senior Lecturer of Computer Science at Ball State University, with help from his son, Matt and daughter-in-law Carissa, introduced kids to beginner‑friendly programming challenges, helping them explore how computer science powers everything from games to everyday technology. While kids enjoyed these hands‑on activities, many adults enjoyed Andy’s computer magic trick!

Saturday, June 6 — ACS Indiana Section Sensory Science Lab (10 AM–7 PM)

Saturday’s booth was a sensory adventure. The American Chemical Society, Indiana Section, invited kids to explore chemistry through all five senses — from the soothing pull of kinetic sand to the buzz of tuning forks to the mystery of aromatic spices. Their goofy putty experiments were a huge hit, and the immersive setup demonstrated how chemistry connects to the world around us in playful, memorable ways.