2026 COSI Volunteers and CGIF staff at the CGIF booth. From left to right: Melissa Ludington, Randi Swanson, Claire Fleeman, Taylor Murphy, Brittney Hauke, Marcus Fish, Nathan McIlwaine, Sevag Momjian
The Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation (CGIF) returned to the COSI Big Science Celebration on Saturday, May 2, in Columbus, Ohio. The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) is one of the nation’s premier science museums, dedicated to making science accessible and engaging for learners of all ages, and the Big Science Celebration is its marquee public event, the grand finale to the four-day COSI Science Festival. This year, more than 100 organizations from across science, education, and industry filled the museum’s outdoor plaza with hands-on activities, including The Boeing Company, Honda, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and The Ohio State University. Among them, CGIF’s booth, ‘The Sweet Science Behind Glass Fibers,’ drew families eager to get hands-on with the science behind everyday materials.
A mother and daughter take part in the Candy Fiber Pull demonstration during the event.
A young participant creates a candy fiber at the CGIF booth.
The candy fiber pull demonstration was once again at the heart of the booth. Using melted candy, volunteers showed visitors how glass fibers are formed by drawing it into long, thin strands, the same fundamental process behind fiber optic cables and fiberglass insulation. Kids and families were eager to try it themselves, and the hands-on nature of the activity made it easy for volunteers to walk guests through the real science in an accessible, engaging way.
A volunteer shares the science behind fiber optics and materials engineering with curious visitors.
The booth also featured ceramic and glass samples that visitors could see and handle. A space shuttle tile was a reliable conversation starter, visitors were impressed by how lightweight it is, which naturally led into discussions about heat-resistant ceramics and the role materials science plays in aerospace engineering. A fiber optic display helped connect the candy pull demonstration to real-world technology, giving families a clear and memorable picture of where glass fibers show up in everyday life.
CGIF extends a heartfelt thank you to Allied Mineral Products and the PCSA volunteers who gave their time to make this event a success, and COSI for hosting such a well-attended celebration each year. Events like the Big Science Celebration are a meaningful opportunity to connect with the public and share the reach and relevance of the ceramic and glass industry with the next generation.
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