PSM at the STEAM EXPO DAYS event MSU Science Festival

April 5, 2025 - April 6, 2025

MSU STEM Building 642 Red Cedar Rd, East Lansing, MI 48824

Exploring Adaptations of the Plant Pathogen Pseudomonas syringae Pseudomonas syringae is a bacterial plant pathogen which threatens agriculture, including the iconic cherry blossoms of Michigan. It inhabits diverse environments including rivers, clouds and plant surfaces and has evolved remarkable adaptations: 1. Siderophores: Iron-scavenging molecules that fluoresce under UV light. 2. Ice nucleation: Trigger ice formation above freezing temperatures. 3. Type-III-secretion-system: Injects virulence proteins into plant cells. At our booth, you’ll witness these bacterial superpowers in action! Observe P. syringae create ice, see glowing bacteria under UV light, and learn how P. syringae has shaped understanding of plant immunity. Presented by: Michelle Hulin, Assistant Professor, PSM, MSU Daniel Maddock, Postdoc, PSM, MSU Suggested for ages: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above Scientific Disciplines: Plant and Animal Sciences STEAM Expo Days 120 Times and Locations 4/5/2025 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202 4/6/2025 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202 https://sciencefestival.msu.edu/Event/View/84

 

Get Your Hands Dirty: The Science of Soil Judging Soil judging has long been an essential field technique that many have utilized to determine best uses for their their land. As soil judgers, we enter soil pits to analyze soils and reach conclusions for agricultural, construction, and conservation purposes. Soil judging communities exist throughout the nation in collegiate teams, and throughout the world in international teams. Being able to read and interpret the land can provide a connection with nature, a network of people who appreciate the science, and a great skill. Presented by: Bernard Frantz, Research Assistant, Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, MSUMason Rutgers, Research Assistant, Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, MSU Barret Wessel, Assistant Professor-Tenure System, Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, MSU Suggested for ages: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above Scientific Disciplines: Plant and Animal Sciences STEAM Expo Days 120 Times and Locations 4/5/2025 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202 4/6/2025 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202 https://sciencefestival.msu.edu/Event/View/21

 

Plants Get Sick Too! Exploring Plant Pathogens with S.P.O.R.E. Explore plant pathogens with MSU’s plant pathology graduate student organization, S.P.O.R.E.! From the forest to the field, discover the fascinating biology of the microorganisms behind some of the most devastating diseases afflicting plants. All ages can observe diverse plant pathogenic microorganisms and their symptomatic host plants, while learning about the historical and agricultural importance of plant diseases in Michigan. Participants have the opportunity to observe various pathogens on their hosts on the microscopic scale and what these organisms look like in pure culture. Presented by: Gloria Baker, Graduate Research Assistant, Plant Pathology, MSU Lexi Hedger, Graduate Research Assistant, Plant Pathology, MSU Qiurong Fan, Graduate Research Assistant, Plant Patholgy, MSU Ryan Hamilton, Graduate Research Assistant, Plant Pathology, MSU Suggested for ages: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above Scientific Disciplines: Plant and Animal Sciences STEAM Expo Days 120 Times and Locations 4/5/2025 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: STEM Teaching & Learning Facility Room 3202 4/6/2025 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: STEM Teaching & Learning Facility Room 3202 https://sciencefestival.msu.edu/Event/View/78

 

Soil: A Medium for Life and Art It’s time to get your hands dirty and make some artwork with soil from around Michigan! Like other materials, soil can be used as paint to make beautiful artwork! Explore the diversity of soil types, colors, and texturesthrough this hands-on activity. Some spectacular soil scientists will guide the activity and answer questions about one of the most important natural resources! Presented by: Stephen Stresow-Cortez, PhD Student, Horticulture, MSU Rachel Drobnak, PhD Student, Plant, Soil, Microbial Sciences/Kellogg Biological Station, MSU Natali Gonzalez, PhD Student, Plant, Soil, Microbial Sciences/Kellogg Biological Station, MSU Suggested for ages: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above Scientific Disciplines: Plant and Animal Sciences STEAM Expo Days 120 Times and Locations 4/5/2025 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202 4/6/2025 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202 https://sciencefestival.msu.edu/Event/View/64

 

Why do Bananas Smell So Good? How Plants Make Themselves A-peel-ing! Discover the hidden world of plant chemistry at our interactive outreach booth! Did you know that tiny molecules called metabolites help plants fight off pathogens, attract pollinators, and even create the delicious scents and flavors we love? Step into the shoes of a scientist to explore how these fascinating compounds work. Sniff out which scents belong to your favorite fruits, get hands-on experience with 3D models of these fascinating molecules, and put your knowledge to the test by matching metabolites to their roles in plant survival. Don’t miss this fun and engaging experience brought to you by the Plant Metabolic Network! Presented by: Gaëlle Cassin-Ross, Outreach and Training Coordinator of Plant Metabolic Network, Plant Resilience Institute, MSU Charles Hawkins, Director of Plant Metabolic Network, Plant Resilience Institute, MSU Suggested for ages: Kindergarten and Pre-K, Elementary school age, Middle school age, High school age, 18 years and above Scientific Disciplines: Plant and Animal Sciences Arts, Culture, and Design Energy and Environment Engineering and Technology Physics, Astronomy, and Chemistry Science Education STEAM Expo Days 120For more information: Read more about Why do Bananas Smell So Good? How Plants Make Themselves A-peel-ing! (external site) Times and Locations 4/5/2025 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202 4/6/2025 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Location: STEM Teaching and Learning Facility Room 2202 https://sciencefestival.msu.edu/Event/View/52

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