Paul Gabrielsen
In the bright, echoing atrium of the Eccles Health Science Education Building, elementary-age children and their parents gather around a table. A presenter hands out test tubes with a green liquid inside-a mix of pureed peas, dish soap, and meat tenderizer.
"Do you know what DNA is?" the presenter asks. Heads nod.
"But have you ever seen DNA?" Heads slowly shake.
The presenter hands around squirt bottles of rubbing alcohol-the final ingredient to make the DNA in the peas, dissolved in the murky liquid, clump together. Each child adds the alcohol and brings the test tube up to their eye to see the clear layer of alcohol atop the green soup.
"See that white stringy stuff between the layers?" the presenter says. "That is DNA!"
Small eyes widen and mouths drop open as parents suddenly lean in closer to see, matching their kids' enthralled energy. "Wait, what?"
Summer Science Day, on July 12, was full of similar moments, as University of Utah Health researchers shared the wonders of the scientific world with an eager, all-ages audience. The event, which organizers hope will become an annual tradition, demonstrated an appetite for science engagement in the community, as well as the buffet of activities and offerings from across the university.
"We hope to give families an opportunity to meet scientists in person, tour different lab spaces, and learn about the research that we're doing at the U," said Janet Iwasa, PhD, director of the Genetic Science Learning Center (GSLC) in the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah. "We would love to inspire Utah kids to see themselves as future scientists and science educators."
Inspired by science festivals
Around 1,000 people attended Summer Science Day, which included science demonstrations, workshops and classes, and tours of working labs. Researchers from many departments participated and presented. The Departments of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology, Biochemistry, and Human Genetics co-sponsored the event, along with the U's Core Research Facilities and BioHive, a Utah non-profit.
Look back at the full schedule of the 2025 Summer Science Day.
The GSLC organized Summer Science Day. For more than 30 years, the GSLC has produced videos, lessons, activities, games, animations, and other ways to teach genetics and health in a clear, engaging way.
Iwasa, who became director of the GSLC in 2024, was inspired by an annual science festival she attended in Boston before moving to the U more than a decade ago.
"After I became the director of the Genetic Science Learning Center," she said, "I was excited to find myself surrounded by a team that is engaged in science outreach and education and has the experience and enthusiasm to organize a public-centered event that featured fun science activities for all ages. Summer Science Day was born."
Enjoyed by participants and presenters
Participants old and young packed into the HSEB Alumni Hall to touch pig lungs, explore the mathematics of folding virus proteins, and rapidly freeze food with liquid nitrogen. Across the hall, workshops gave participants a chance to mix colors of light, peer through microscopes, and explore the paths that lead people into biomedical science.
"It was awesome," said participant Pannyun Yiu. "A great opportunity to get kids exposed to different areas of science. I especially appreciate the activities of interest for older kids and teens, which can be hard to find."
"Great event with so many opportunities to connect with scientists," added participant Will Freund.
Grace Gabrielsen, 18, found the activities eye-opening. "I finally understand how scientists do research," she said.
"The turnout was amazing," said presenter Rebekah Nicholson, a PhD candidate in the Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology. "It was such a cool experience to interact with so many kids/community members. I'm so glad I got to participate."
"Definitely a fun and slightly chaotic day," said presenter Rachel Torrez, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Biochemistry.
Organizers are thrilled with the success of the first Summer Science Day and hope to host another next year. The enthusiasm for science from attendees matches perfectly with the bountiful scientific expertise of the University of Utah.
"We have both a lot of people interested in science," Iwasa said, "and scientists interested in sharing their research."
