College of Arts and Sciences
Events for any high school student, transfer student, or nontraditional student.
College of Arts and Sciences expo
All day, K-State Student Union courtyard
See all that K-State’s largest and most versatile college has to offer in one fun stop. Cruise interactive exhibits showcasing K-State’s natural and quantitative sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and arts and humanities while meeting rockstar professors, staff members and in-the-know students. Pass by our Arts and Sciences table to get your Open House raffle ticket, information for incoming students, and help seeing exactly what you want at our Expo and around campus!
Art
Meet K-State’s art students, faculty and advisors and learn about the opportunities that could be yours in the world of art!
Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Explore the possibilities of a biochemistry degree with options to specialize in medical biochemistry or molecular biophysics and even earn a master’s degree in only five years!
Bands
Learn how you can be part of K-State Bands’ concert ensembles or Pride of Wildcat Land Marching Band!
Biology
Learn about wildlife, meet some critters, and chat with our advisors and students about genetics, microbiology, ecology and other biological science areas that can lead to careers in human and veterinary medicine, wildlife biology and more!
Chapman Center for Rural Studies and History
Walk back in time, take a polaroid picture in our photo booth featuring K-State student cutouts from 1924, military regalia, and more (with the history department)!
Chemistry
Make slime! And see if you feel the right chemistry with us as you learn about our cutting-edge research, immersive curriculum and hands-on opportunities for students.
Economics
Delve into the diverse realms of economics through interactive videos and games and connect with our esteemed faculty members.
English
Love to read or write? Explore your next chapter with a K-State English degree, order up a poem from the Poet-in-a-Box, take a literary quiz to win a free book, and celebrate National Poetry Month by choosing a poem that speaks to you.
Environmental Science
Check out environmental science tools used by professionals in this growing, high-demand field that includes water quality, soil conservation, climate change, ecology, geographic information systems and more areas taking on the growing environmental challenges of our world.
Geography and Geospatial Sciences
Discover how to turn your curiosity about the world into a compelling career and check out our interactive maps and graphics, cutting-edge mapping technology, and fun geographic equipment like drones!
Geology
Geology is about so much more than rocks! Explore the wide variety of disciplines and opportunities that are open to you.
History
Check out our historical military helmets and uniforms and take a polaroid picture with fun artifacts (with the Chapman Center for Rural Studies).
Interdisciplinary Studies
• Manhattan, Kansas, and K-State are deeply interdisciplinary--map out those connections to our degree offerings in an engaging mapping activity, interact with advisors, and learn from our student ambassadors!
Mathematics
Discover famous mathematical ideas by simply dropping a needle and seeing where it lands.
A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication
Learn about our programs in advertising and public relations, communication studies, digital innovation in media, and news and sports media, that will make you career-ready from day one.
Military Science/Army ROTC
Talk to current cadets about the program from their perspective.
Modern Languages
Multilingual Wildcats study Spanish, French, German, Latin, Chinese, Japanese and Arabic, and combine them with any degree plan, study abroad, and work as paid peer tutors.
Music, Theatre, and Dance
Explore the exciting performance and scholarship opportunities in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance—a supportive and diverse community that welcomes students from any major.
Philosophy
Philosophical Inquiry: Truth, Justice and the Good Life. Visit our Ask a Philosopher booth to learn about the joys and societal contributions of philosophy and the value of a philosophy degree.
Physics
Participate in hands-on physics demonstrations!
Political Science
Let our students and faculty tell you about the scholarships, internships, and career opportunities that explain why we “PoliSci,” and win a prize!
Psychological Sciences
Get your candy or stress-ball brain, hear some psychology myths (or are they...?), see what you make of our optical illusions, and meet some of our students and faculty.
Social Transformation Studies
Play Justice Jeopardy to learn who we are and what we do! We’ll have quiz game questions and cool prizes!
Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work
Visit with us about all the ways we can help you explore the social world, understand our shared humanity, and work towards a career that makes a difference, including addiction counseling, criminology and many more.
Statistics
Come see data science in action and learn about our programs that teach you the science of collecting, analyzing and interpreting data.
Art exhibition by the K-State Family
All day, Chapman Gallery , Willard Hall
View new and recent work by art, design and art history faculty. Chapman Gallery is on the first floor of Willard Hall.
Arts and Science of the April 8, 2024, Solar Eclipse
10:30-11:30 a.m., 102 Cardwell Hall
An integrated lecture will be presented by faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences describing the science of a solar eclipse — including the one that will be visible in Northeast Kansas two days after Open House — and the impacts of eclipses on human culture throughout history.
Band hall open house and tours
All day, Tracz Family Band Hall, World War I Memorial Stadium
Walk through the recently renovated space which features a rehearsal hall, instrument and uniform storage, instrument repair room, changing room and office space. The hall is the home of the K-State Marching Band and Classy Cats. The improvements were funded through private donations.
Biochemistry degree tracks
All day, Chalmers Hall
Learn about undergraduate and graduate degrees offered in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics. Explore research opportunities in our faculty laboratories.
Build your own eclipse viewer
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 224 Cardwell Hall
Participants will be able to build and take away a scientific instrument to view the April 8, 2024, solar eclipse that will be visible in Northeast Kansas.
Can you solve it?
All day, Cardwell Hall
Interact with mathematical games, puzzles and mazes. Gifts will be given away at each display/activity.
Check out the critters
11 a.m.-1 p.m., 114 Ackert Hall
Want to learn about mammals, birds, fish and plants? Current students will share their experiences and demonstrations from our fisheries, wildlife, conservation and environmental biology program. Join us in celebrating the diversity of life by interacting with skulls, furs, and flora and fauna from our courses.
Chemistry magic show
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 4 King Hall
Students from the chemistry fraternity will put on a chemistry demonstration with colorful reactions and thrills galore!
Cyanotype demonstration
11 a.m.-2 p.m., 204 Willard Hall (if weather permits, on the Quad)
The K-State photography area will host a cyanotype demonstration, suitable for ages 5 and up. Cyanotypes are made with UV sunlight and chemistry and are exposed outside using large negatives. Visitors can take home dried works.
Dance for a cure
9 a.m.-noon, Nichols Hall
Come move your body with students from K-State’s Dance Program in support of Mid-America Chapter of the ALS Association. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Explore the Nature Co-Lab in art
Noon-2 p.m., 211 Willard Hall
Come and explore the intersections of art and science with a hands-on approach at the new initiative in the art department called Nature Co-Lab.
Future Leaders
All day, Gen. Richard B. Myers Hall
K-State Army ROTC will provide hands-on insight into the program. Applicants will be able to talk with current cadets and try on equipment.
Hands-on physics
9 a.m.-3 p.m., Cardwell Hall, first floor lobby
Scientists of all ages can experience the laws of physics through hands-on demonstrations. Sparks may fly. Bananas may shatter.
KKSU-TV Broadcasting Studio tour
1 p.m., 3 p.m., Dole Hall lobby
Tour the broadcasting studio in Dole Hall and experiment with the equipment our students use to produce a weekly live broadcast.
Light Your Torches: Glassblowing demonstration by Jim Hodgson
10:30-11:20 a.m., 4 King Hall
The chemistry department invites you to a glassblowing demonstration to see how molten glass is shaped for scientific research.
Make your own stress ball
Noon-1 p.m., 112 Leasure Hall
Decorate and make your own stress ball to help with self-care while meeting social work faculty.
Math and physics sculpture build
1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Cardwell Hall
The math and physics clubs invite you to try your hand at making some interesting shapes with interesting properties related to symmetry. Fun for all ages
Metals/jewelry demonstration
10 a.m.-1 p.m., 318 Willard Hall
Come visit the metalsmithing area in the art department to learn about traditional and contemporary metalsmithing and jewelry techniques.
Painting demonstration
11 a.m.-2 p.m., 222 Willard Hall
The painting area will engage visitors with demonstrations and a variety of painting materials and media. Visitor participation is encouraged.
Pin-on button workshop
10 a.m.-2 p.m., 301A Willard Hall
Come visit the visual communication design area and design your own pin-on button.
Social work BINGO
11 a.m.-noon, 112 Leasure Hall
Come play a fun game of BINGO with social work faculty to learn more about social work jobs and skills. There’s a chance to win small prizes.
Take a tour of the human body
11 a.m.-1 p.m., 230 Ackert Hall
Join us in exploring human anatomy and physiology. Current K-State biology students will share their experiences from taking the Human Body classes. Check out a human skeleton and cool models of organs. Come appreciate the beauty of the body.
The Demo Show: Nature’s Rules of the Universe in Action
12:30-1:30p.m., 103 Cardwell Hall
The legendary Chris Sorensen, emeritus university distinguished professor of Physics, will perform some of the most spectacular physics demonstrations the department has to offer.
Theatre expo
All day, Nichols Hall
Theatre demonstrations, workshops and presentations for all age ranges.
Tour of a microbiology lab
11 a.m.-1 p.m., 123 Ackert Hall
Join us in exploring the microbiology lab. Current K-State biology students will have demonstrations with microscopes and share their experiences in their microbiology labs. Come appreciate the little things (microorganisms) in life.
Tour of biology
11 a.m.-1 p.m., 116 Ackert Hall
Take a tour of the biology building. Learn what it is like to major in biology at K-State. You can explore the class-spaces and talk with current students. They will share their experiences, while guiding you through the building. Along the way, you can check out the principles of biology, human body, organismic biology, and microbiology labs. Show up anytime between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., to go on a tour.
Visit the Wildcat 91.9 radio station
9 a.m.-noon, third floor, McCain Auditorium
Visit the third floor of McCain Auditorium to explore studios and equipment used by the students of the 2023 Best College Radio Station in the Nation, Wildcat 91.9.
Woodcut T-shirt printing
9 a.m.-1 p.m., 320 Willard Hall
The Prairie Fire Printmaking Student Club is hosting a woodcut T-shirt printing activity for the public in Willard Hall. Participants select a hand-carved.