Squishy Science Sunday

Seven divisions/forums of APS (DSOFT, DBIO, DCOMP, DPOLY, DSNP, FOEP, Fed) undertook a new public engagement initiative, Squishy Science Sunday, on the Sunday before the start of the 2024 APS March meeting in Minneapolis. With the support of APS Public Engagement staff, and the participation of volunteers from many more divisions, Squishy Science Sunday would have just completed its third iteration at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on Sunday March 15, 2026.

The aims of Squishy Science Sunday are two-fold: to invite the public, particularly the young, to have fun with the science of everyday materials while engaging with scientists of all ages and backgrounds. Equally important, the event gives practicing scientists the opportunity to share the excitement and importance of their work with the society at large. I will discuss this initiative and its evolution, including details of the demonstrations and activities, logistical considerations, lessons learned, best practices, and the future. We hope Squishy Science Sunday inspires our members to be excited about the joys and benefits of community engagement; and promotes to all the idea of science as an exciting and rewarding process of inquiry and discovery that has a positive impact on their lives.