When: Thursday, April 24th | 11:30AM – 12:30PM

Where: All across Wisconsin via Zoom

Who: Anyone interested in hosting an event, either for the first time or the 15th time! Whether you are ready to start making plans for the fall or just want to learn more about the festival, this party is for you.

What: Hear from the WSF team and a few special guests about updates and the festival feature for 2025, learn how and when to submit your 2025 events, and answer your questions and hear your ideas!

How: Register for the Virtual Kickoff Party using the link or by clicking the button below.

Curious about what information will be needed to submit an event? Take a look at our event form sneak peek!

Want to know what your event listing will look like when it is published? Take a look at our example event. Note: all fields on the event form were completed for this test event. Information such as your contact details are not shared on the public event page.

Be part of the festival!

From the food we eat to the ways we communicate, travel and more, science is a big part of our lives. And the events of the past few years have made the importance of science and technology more apparent than ever.

We’ve been inspired by the public’s heightened dialog on the role of science in society, the value of curiosity and the importance of diversity among those who participate. It is in that spirit of inspiration that we are excited to celebrate the Wisconsin Science Festival again this year by showcasing events (both in-person and virtual) that seek to make an impact on Wisconsinites!

Join hundreds of organizers who hold events of every shape and size around Wisconsin to connect people of all ages with science, technology, engineering, art and math. In 2024, more than 46,000 people participated in events throughout 52 counties in Wisconsin. To learn more, connect with our team at 608-316-4390 or info@wiscifest.org. (And don’t forget to check out the 2024 annual report!)

How does hosting a WiSciFest event work?

1. Submit your event(s) using our Event Proposal Form. Here’s a sneak peek at the form.
2. Our WiSciFest staff will check your submission to make sure the event meets our selection criteria.
3. We approve your event as an official #WiSciFest event (or we’ll follow up if your proposal needs to be modified).
4. If you submit your event by August 1, we’ll send you a event host kit with cool swag and more to help you promote it.
5. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to connect your event to the Wisconsin Science Festival.
6. And here is a list of frequently asked questions.

Selection Criteria

1. Your event should be located in Wisconsin or intended for a Wisconsin audience. For example, you may have an online event that highlights Wisconsin technology.

2. The event should take place during the festival dates (October 16-26, 2025). If your event occurs before or after the festival, it will be considered and may list it separately as a pre-/post-festival event.
3. #WiSciFest events should emphasize science, technology, engineering, art/humanities and/or math.
4. As the event host, you are accountable for all aspects of your event(s) including organization, content, and staffing.
5. We expect you to promote the event as a Wisconsin Science Festival event using the guidelines provided.

Special opportunities for 2025

Official festival feature

Each year, we highlight a specific aspect of the world around us to generate additional excitement and creativity within events and programs. Events related to the feature are not required for participation! Past features have included fungi, glass, time, and agriculture. Stay tuned for the announcement of the official 2025 feature!

Badger Talks and Badgers on Tap

Host a UW-Madison speaker at your program! We are once again partnering with UW-Madison’s Badger Talks to bring the university to you. Whether you want to hear about the history of the Ice Age Trail, discuss changes in the dairy industry, or get updated on the latest groundbreaking health care research being done on campus, we can find a speaker for you! Speakers may be requested for either virtual or in-person programs.

Check out Badgers on Tap – a new initiative from UW Badger Talks bringing flash talks, trivia, prizes, and more to pubs and bars throughout the state!

Join the Wisconsin BioBlitz!

Have you ever wondered how many species exist in our environment? From the shores of Lake Michigan to the forests of the Northwoods or the soil in your backyard, Wisconsin is teeming with life – and we’re continuing our statewide BioBlitz project to learn more! We’ll provide an online portal for individuals or organizations to participate, including incentives and a series of related online events.

Virtual field trips and more

We are working hard to create opportunities for organizations, families and curious individuals to get involved in science activities curated throughout the state. We’ll update our website and send email updates as the summer progresses. Check out our educators page for more details.

Event support

#WiSciFest staff will offer assistance and guidance to maximize attendance and maintain festival standards. The Wisconsin Science Festival will provide:

1. Up-to-date information on the festival website along with a URL specific to each event. You can use this URL to promote an individual event.
2. Event promotion through the WiSciFest social media channels and the our statewide/regional marketing efforts.
3. An Event Host Kit (if your event is submitted by the deadline) with promotional materials, signage, WSF branding templates and logos for use in digital and print media. Also, check out our resource page for branding templates, logos, event materials and more!
4. Thanks to generous support of our partners at WiSys, we are proud to offer the opportunity to request reimbursement of up to $100 for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in staging the WSF event. (Documentation must be submitted within 30 days of the event.)

Looking for ideas?

If you are on the fence or would like assistance in coming up with ideas, our team is ready to help! Contact info@wiscifest.org to learn how to get your organization involved. See below for some inspiration from past events:

• Live online panels or community discussions
• Drive-in movies
• Guided nature hikes
• Prerecorded activities for participants to do at home
• Virtual field trips or lab tours

The possibilities are endless!

Banner image by Ueda Photography.