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Explore science, wear costumes at Indiana State Museum's Halloween event

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  Published in Science and Technology on Sunday, September 28th 2025 at 13:13 GMT by WISH-TV
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Indiana State Museum Brings Science to Life with a “Wear‑Your‑Science‑Costume” Halloween Bash

On a crisp October afternoon in Indianapolis, the Indiana State Museum turned its main galleries into a living laboratory of color, curiosity, and costume. The event, titled Explore Science Wear Costumes, was part of the museum’s larger Halloween celebration—an annual tradition that blends education, entertainment, and community outreach. Though the festivities were open to visitors of all ages, the highlight was a science‑themed costume contest that drew a rainbow of attendees, from elementary‑school kids in glittering astronaut suits to high‑school students dressed as the human brain.

The Concept: Science + Costume = STEM‑tastic Fun

The museum’s marketing team explained that the idea behind Explore Science Wear Costumes was simple: encourage people to “wear the science.” That meant bringing to life everything from the Periodic Table to the outer reaches of the solar system, all through the medium of costume. The event’s slogan—Dress Up, Dive In, Discover!—summarized the mission: make STEM subjects tangible and relatable.

“We want to move beyond the textbook,” said museum director Dr. Lisa Thompson in a brief interview at the event. “If a child can see themselves as a DNA helix or a walking microscope, the concept of science is no longer abstract. It becomes part of their identity.” According to Thompson, the idea was also born out of a partnership with the university’s School of Science Education, which sought fresh ways to engage local youth.

What the Day Looked Like

From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the museum’s interactive Science Center, the heart of the institution’s STEM offerings, was transformed into a multi‑room costume studio. The first section, The Great Molecule Maze, featured a maze built of oversized DNA double helices and chemical symbols. Participants could choose to walk through the maze wearing a “molecule” costume—complete with glowing “atoms”—and receive a science fact sheet at the exit.

The second area, Gravity’s Playground, housed a collection of giant paper‑towel‑ball “gravity” experiments that let visitors see how weightlessness could affect everyday objects. Children in astronaut suits tried their hand at “zero‑gravity” experiments, while parents in “spacewalk” jackets observed the effects of simulated microgravity on liquids.

The highlight was the costume contest, which ran in two categories: Best Costume and Most Creative Concept. The judging panel consisted of museum educators, local scientists from the university, and a surprise guest—local science-fiction author and science advocate, Maya Patel. Contestants had five minutes to showcase their costumes, complete with a quick 30‑second pitch about the science concept they represented. For instance, one contestant appeared in a “Mona Lisa of the Moon,” wearing a moonlit gown studded with small LED lights, and explained the phases of the moon.

The prizes—gift cards to local science stores, a scholarship for a science camp, and a “Scientist for a Day” certificate—were well received. The event also included a “Science Scavenger Hunt” in which families could find hidden science artifacts throughout the museum. Participants who completed the hunt were entered into a raffle for a “Future Scientist” kit, which included a telescope, a microscope, and a DIY robot kit.

Educational Take‑Aways and Community Impact

The museum’s own education team noted that the Wear Costumes event dovetailed neatly with their curriculum goals for the 2024 school year. “We’re working on a unit on the scientific method and evolutionary biology,” said education coordinator Aaron Ramirez. “The cost‑effective nature of costume‑based learning makes the concepts stick in a way that worksheets never could.”

In addition, the event reinforced the museum’s commitment to outreach. According to the museum’s website—linked in the original article—Explore Science Wear Costumes is part of a broader “STEM in the Community” initiative. This initiative hosts quarterly workshops, after‑school programs, and volunteer opportunities for local scientists, aiming to increase the percentage of students pursuing STEM degrees in Indiana.

The partnership with the university also added a layer of research relevance. The university’s School of Science Education used the event as a case study for a semester-long research project on experiential learning. Students collected data on visitor engagement, measuring variables such as time spent in each interactive area, the number of participants in the scavenger hunt, and post‑event survey responses.

Looking Ahead

The museum’s director emphasized that the Explore Science Wear Costumes event was just the beginning. “We want to see science celebrated all year long,” she said. “Our next step is a ‘Science Fair’ series featuring local high‑school projects, and we’re also planning a summer “STEM Camp” that will take place in the museum’s outdoor gardens.”

For those who missed the event—or for those eager to learn more—information is available on the museum’s official website, linked in the original article. The page provides a gallery of photos from the day, a downloadable PDF of the science fact sheets distributed in the maze, and details about upcoming events in the museum’s calendar.

Why the Event Matters

In a world increasingly shaped by scientific innovation and technological advancement, institutions like the Indiana State Museum serve a critical role: they demystify science, making it accessible and exciting to the public. By turning a Halloween celebration into an immersive, costume‑driven STEM experience, the museum not only honored the tradition of spooky festivities but also forged a new path for science education.

If you were fortunate enough to attend, you left with more than just a memorable costume—you carried a deeper appreciation for the science that surrounds us, and you likely left with a newfound curiosity that will follow you into the next chapter of your life. Whether you’re a child, a teacher, or a science enthusiast, Explore Science Wear Costumes proved that science isn’t just for laboratories and textbooks; it’s a living, breathing adventure that everyone can wear—and enjoy.