The Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, Kalamazoo, MI, is bringing back its Ice Cream Challenge for the fifth year, inviting the community to take part in a winter event that blends science with a little friendly competition. The annual favorite mixes hands-on chemistry with creativity, all centered around making ice cream in an unusual way. The event will take place on Saturday, January 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when teams from local businesses and organizations will compete by creating their own ice cream flavors. Each batch will be frozen on the spot using liquid nitrogen. Visitors can watch the process up close as teams compete for the Golden Cone Trophy, with last year’s winners, Parker Aerospace, returning to defend their 2025 title against seven other teams.
Visitors are part of the action as well. Guests can sample the different flavors and vote for their favorite, helping decide which team comes out on top. The 2026 Ice Cream Challenge is included with regular Air Zoo admission and is free for members. The Air Zoo also acknowledged the support of event sponsors, including Parker Aerospace, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Country Dairy, and Airgas, whose backing helps make the event possible. The 2026 Ice Cream Challenge will feature teams from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan, Charles River Laboratories, Kalsec, Midwest Communications, Old National Bank, Parker Aerospace, Plainwell Aviation & STEM Academy, and Schupan. Admission to the challenge is included with regular Air Zoo entry and is free for members. For more information and to support the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, visit this link: www.airzoo.org.
