2026 CSEF Tours & Presentations
Tour pre-registration will begin on Thursday, March 26th and be open until Thursday, April 2nd. Students and teachers will only be allowed to preregister for 1 tour or presentation. Additional ones can be sign-up for on Thursday, April 9th between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. during set-up. We also will not be able to confirm tour registrations prior to CSEF – just note that we will do our best to get you into one of your choices!
Registrations are currently OPEN!
Student Tour/Presentation Registration Form
Teacher Tour/Presentation Registration Form
Colorado State University: Plant Growth Facilities Tour
Experience the heart of Colorado agricultural innovation at the Colorado State University Plant Growth Facilities, a controlled-environment research complex where science and sustainability meet.
On this tour, participants will see where key discoveries in Colorado agriculture begin, including the CSU Wheat Breeding Program, which has developed locally adapted varieties now grown on nearly 70% of Colorado’s wheat acreage. Visitors will also learn about work in the Weed Research Laboratory, where scientists study herbicide resistance in invasive species like kochia to help protect regional crop production.
The tour includes a look inside advanced growth chambers where researchers control environmental conditions to develop solutions that improve crop productivity and support resilient food systems. We’ll conclude with a stop in the Conservatory to see Cosmo, CSU’s rare Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum).
Tours are given by Tammy Brenner, Plant Growth Facility Manager, at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and are limited to 20 people each.
Colorado State University: Human Performance and Clinical Research Laboratory Tour
Take a hands-on tour through CSU’s Human Performance and Clinical Research Laboratory to learn about types of research involving humans and how this type of research is important to human health!
Tours are given by Rachel Doser, Post Doctoral Fellow, and Tiffany Lipsey, Research Associate, in the Department of Health & Exercise Sciences at 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and are limited to 30 people each.
Colorado State University: Soil Innovations Laboratory Tour
Laboratory tour of the Soil Innovation Laboratory where you will see how we process, prepare, fractionate and analyze soils to study soil organic matter. You will also see an elemental analyzer, isotope ratio mass spectrometer, and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. You will learn why we fractionate soils and how we use isotopes to trace organic matter in the soil.
Tours will be given by Michelle Haddix, Soil Ecology Project Manager, at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. and are limited to 10 people each.
Colorado State University: Ytterbium Ion Clock
Optical atomic clocks based on ytterbium ions are powerful platforms for precision timekeeping and for testing fundamental physics. This lab focuses on advanced interrogation techniques and development of cryogenic ion clocks to address major sources of uncertainty that are common to all ion-based clocks. Together, these methods support enhanced clock operation, providing a better probe of certain fundamental constants.
The tour is presented by Wesley Hardin, PhD Candidate in the Department of Physics, at 11 a.m. and is limited to 12 people.
Colorado State University: C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity Tour
See one of the largest research insect collections in the western United States.
This tour is given by Chuck Harp, Collections Manager, at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and is limited to 18 people each.
Colorado State University: Walter Scot Jr College of Engineering Tour
Walk through of the amazing hands-on learning labs and project spaces supporting all of the engineering disciplines you can engage in as a CSU Ram!
These tours are given by engineering students at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and are limited to 20 people each.
Sorting it Out: How Waste is Managed in Larimer County
Join the Larimer County Solid Waste team as they take participants through the process of managing all of Larimer County’s Waste. Attendees will learn how materials are managed, how to reduce contamination in their single-stream recycling, as well as current and future Larimer County Solid Waste projects.
Presentations are given by Abby Kotecki, Environmental Educator, at 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and are limited to 30 people each.
Poudre School District: Star Lab
Join our student guides in the inflatable dome. You’ll view the stars as we see them and stars that make the Greek Constellations. You’ll learn about the life cycle of the stars, names and facts of 1st magnitude stars, constellation names, stories of constellations, and hints to how to find the constellations without technology.
Presentations are given by PSD students and Melissa Martine at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. and are limited to 20 people each.
Colorado State University: Little Shop of Physics
Join us for a tour of our Engagement Spaces. These feature dozens of our hands-on science experiment stations. Learners of all ages can explore various physics topics — electricity, magnetism, light and color, waves, and beyond the rainbow — in a self-directed and inquiry-based way.
These experiences are led by LSOP interns at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and are limited to 20 people each.
Fort Collins Historic Weather Station Tour
Take a guided tour of one of the longest operating weather stations in the western United States. Weather observations for research, teaching and public information have been conducted on the CSU campus since the early 1870’s. This tour will showcase the instruments that are used to measure temperature, humidity, precipitation, evaporation, winds, solar radiation and more. Learn how the data are used and how you can access the data for yourself as well.
Tours are given by Noah Newman, CoCoRaHS Outreach Specialist, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and are limited to 25 people.
Analyzing Air: How Chemists See the Invisible
The chemistry of Earth’s atmosphere affects our health and the health of the planet. However, chemists are still learning the details of this important (but invisible!) chemistry happening all around us. Come learn about the atmosphere and see the advanced tools that chemists use to uncover its secrets!
The presentations/tours are given by Rae Pooley, PhD Candidate in the Department of Chemistry at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and are limited to 8 people each.
Colorado State University: Microbiology and Immunology Lab Tour
Dr. Schenkel will have his lab open to show students cells growing on a microscope and how we do sterile technique to grow human and mouse cancer cells.
Tours are given by Dr. Alan Schenkel at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and are limited to 10 people each.
Journey Through Space and Time in 3D
Join Dr. Andrew Warnock, Director of the Natural Sciences Education and Outreach Center, for an unforgettable journey from 500 million light years away to the center of a water molecule! This live presentation uses 3D visualization to help convey an awe-inspiring sense of scale from immense to miniscule. We will also journey back in time to see what our planet looked like in the past.
Presentations are given by Dr. Andrew Warnock, Natural Sciences Education & Outreach Center, at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and are limited to 25 people each.
Island Scrub Jay STEM Kit Experience
What affects the beak length of Island Scrub-jays on Santa Cruz Island? The storyline in this STEM kit has participants studying the Island Scrub-Jays which separated from mainland scrub-jays almost a million years ago and have some interesting differences now. Participants will study the bird’s beak shape and size, their feeding performance, vocalizations and heritable traits to understand off-spring survival rates.
This experience is led by Natural Sciences Education undergraduate students at 11 a.m., lasts for 2 hours and is limited to 30 people.
Microbial Mingle – Learn about microbes and how to communicate science through an inclusive lens!
This presentation will highlight cutting edge research in inclusive science communication and give participants the opportunity to engage in a hands-on activity focusing on microbes and the immune system. Participants will have the chance to feel like a scientist and practice how they might communicate about microbiology in an inclusive way.
These presentations are given by Delaney Worthington, PhD Candidate in Microbiology, Immunology & Pathology at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and are limited to 30 people each.
Self-Guided Campus Tours
Our self-guided tour is a link to a location-enabled Google map. It includes a route to 10 locations on campus — the same places you would visit if taking a guided tour — and walking paths to each location. At each stop, you can hear an audio description and see photos and videos to learn even more.
Of course, the beauty of a self-guided tour is the flexibility. You can go your own way whenever you like!
How it works
- Use the English link below on your mobile device to access the tour map.
- Allow “youvisit.com” to access your location. Turn your ringer on (yes, your ringer) and turn your volume up!
- Tap the person icon at top left.
- Tap “general campus tour.”
- Tap the > to get started! Use the location arrow to see where you are and the blue paths to see where to go.
Please note: This tour was created using auto-generated mapping technology. For the best tour experience and for your safety, please use your best judgment regarding the paths you take while touring campus and follow all pedestrian and traffic laws.
Colorado State University: Energy Institute Tour
A must-see tour, especially if you’re passionate about clean energy, sustainability, or engineering. At the Energy Institute, we’re developing real-world energy and carbon solutions to address some of society’s most significant challenges. Explore our cutting-edge, LEED Platinum-certified facility and get an inside look at our Engines and Energy Conversion Lab, as well as the innovative research happening in our specialized labs.
Tour is given by Mike Estergard, Powerhouse Education & Outreach Coordinator at 1:30 p.m. and is limited to 20 people.
Participants must provide their own transportation to the Powerhouse at 430 N College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524.
