Hundreds of visitors from around the Twin Cities flocked to the Bell Museum for SciPride on June 14, 2025. Part of Spotlight Science, a monthly program for visitors to engage hands-on with current University of Minnesota research, SciPride centers the work of the campus’s LGBTQIA+ scientists and allies and their path to becoming researchers. 

“We know that the LGBTQIA+ community has been historically marginalized and excluded in a lot of scientific spaces, and we want the Bell Museum to be a place where people can come and not only see all the cool contributions researchers are making to science, but also realize that this is a safe space for being and celebrating who you are,” says Scarlet Fitzsimmons, gallery programs coordinator at the Bell Museum.

When they arrived, families, friend groups, and solo visitors grabbed themed souvenirs and a blank passport to collect stamps from each table. Throughout the day, they traveled to displays scattered around the lobby and explored demonstrations in chemistry, computer science, animal science, and more. 

The presenters formed a diverse group of scientists from six different colleges and multiple centers, like the Landscape Arboretum, the College of Science and Engineering, and the Medical School.

Each group was asked to prepare engaging experiments and displays to translate their specific area of study to an audience of primarily intergenerational families. 

The result? Specimen displays of animals that break the gender binary and activities involving brain sensors to move everyday objects, among others. The cool science on display led to engaging conversations that brought the community closer to each other and the discoveries happening at the University.

This year, the event drew many first-time visitors to the Bell Museum. The energy was welcoming, with some guests dressed in full-spectrum rainbow gear and others just offering soft smiles. Either way, it’s about making connections, Fitzsimmons added.

“It’s awesome to see that [SciPride] is bringing in a new visitor base and hopefully attracting people who are going to get something out of it, whether it's a sense of community for youth learning about the fact that anyone can be a scientist or connecting with Pride in a different way.”

At the end of the event, guests packed up their stamp-riddled exhibit passports, visual reminders of the event’s simple lesson: Science is for all. 

“You don't know what support system these scientists have outside of SciPride,” says Fitzsimmons. “We don't know if they go home to another group of people who are also LGBTQIA+ and feel supported, or if this event is that touchpoint for people. So hosting an event like this, that's what's important.”

With the conclusion of this year’s event, the Bell Museum celebrated six years of SciPride thanks to the planning committee consisting of Tex Ostvig, Alon McCormick, Sam Franco, and Annie Harvieux; and continued sponsorship from the the College of Biological Sciences, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, the College of Science and Engineering, the Medical School, the School of Nursing, the School of Public Health, and the Office for Equity and Diversity.

Learn more about Spotlight Science and the Bell Museum.