It’s a wonderful thing to live near a college campus. The steady stream of speakers and events means there is nearly always something interesting to do and learn, even if you’re not a student. Often, several events overlap and I am stuck with the dreaded task of choosing just one. The 12 days of the MSU Science Festival are a real challenge — I want to attend every little part of it.

There are so many activities — more than 150 throughout the state — and they all look fascinating. My inner monologue while looking over the program book went something like this: “I get to tour the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory and the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams? Learn about ‘The Art and Science of Coffee’ and ‘The Science of Color in Art?’ Tour a winery and pretend it’s for science?” I feel like a kid in a candy shop.

Last night’s keynote speaker and world-renowned physicist Dr. Brian Greene treated a full house at the Wharton Center to an exploration of the ways Einstein’s work resonated during his own lifetime and continues to do so today — most recently with the observation of gravitational waves. This wasn’t the first time I’ve heard him speak in person, so I’m pretty sure I was one of the first people to request tickets when they were made available. Getting someone of Dr. Greene’s stature as the festival keynote is very big deal, and seeing how diverse the audience was gave me hope that the next generation of the scientific community won’t skew so heavily toward white men.

Tonight is the Night at the Museums. MSU Museum and the Broad Art Museum will have a variety of activities that look like they’re probably meant for kids, but that won’t stop me from participating — these are two of my favorite spots in the region.

Over the next week and a half, grown-ups can learn about art, the Maker Movement, and adult beverages at Science Cafes and Pubs, held at locations in the Lansing area, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. If you’re looking for something more kid-friendly, just check the schedule. Added bonus: all of the events are free, which makes it even more family friendly.