In a nondescript building on Ohio State's west campus, dozens of scientists study the natural world — and visitors will get a rare look inside this weekend.

Why it matters: The Museum of Biological Diversity is essentially an archive of life on Earth.

• Unlike museums built for display, it's a working research hub typically closed to the public.

Yes, but: Tomorrow's open house will be its first since before the pandemic and furthers a push to better publicize its work.

Behind the scenes: Ahead of the event, we visited the biodiversity museum for our own tour.

• It's home to over 20 million preserved and carefully cataloged specimens, from tiny insects to larger fish, mollusks, and plants. Some species no longer exist.
• The mollusk room is particularly impressive, with rows and rows of boxed specimens resembling a giant warehouse.
• Freshwater mussels, one type of mollusk, are the most endangered group of organisms in the U.S. The museum houses the largest collection in the world.

Zoom in: The Kinnear Road building dates back to 1992, but most of the collections go back over a century.

• OSU researchers use the collections to track species over time and inform conservation efforts, museum director Nathan Whelan tells Axios.
• Specimens are also loaned to researchers around the world.

1 weird thing: Afroduck, a beloved — and now taxidermied — campus waterfowl, has resided at the museum since his 2016 death. He'll be available for photographs tomorrow.

What to expect: Open house guests may also encounter formaldehyde-jar fish and dried, pinned insects, but organizers say there will be plenty of live creatures too.

• The front yard, labs and an auditorium will be set up with interactive stations so guests of all ages can become scientists for a day.

The bottom line: "You actually get to see where the research is happening," Whelan says.

Stop by: 10am-3pm tomorrow, 1315 Kinnear Road. Free! Registration is encouraged.

More photos

👋 Hello from the top of Thompson Library — one of several scenic spots readers recently suggested we explore.

Behind the scenes: Like the Museum of Biological Diversity, a lot happens on campus beyond classroom lectures.

• The massive library is open to the public and known for its 11th-floor panoramic views.
• 🙏 Thanks to readers Rita W., Bill B. Alex T., Bob W. and Fred R. for the suggestion!

Other campus spots to visit:

Rita W.: I also like the Orton Geological Museum. And messing around with the food delivery robots, especially when exploring with young kids.

Bill B. also recommends Orton Hall.

• "The dinosaur skeletons (discovered by an OSU prof who is like an Arctic Indiana Jones) are awesome," he says.

Stuart H.: I really love the redone Mirror Lake. When I was in school it was a mess there.

• There are some really nice quiet and photogenic parts, even though you're right in the heart of south campus.

Alex T. notes the nearby Browning Amphitheater is a "really neat outdoor performance space."

Jim P.: Walk around the grounds of Chadwick Arboretum. It's a great place to relax and recharge.

Two more suggestions

🏛️ The Ohio House passed an "indecent exposure" bill targeting drag performances, which critics say is vague enough to put cheerleaders, artists and those in sports bras in jeopardy.

• It now heads to the Senate. (Statehouse News Bureau)

⚖️ The ACLU of Ohio and several civil rights groups and law firms are suing ICE for what they say are violations of federal laws. (Ohio Capital Journal)

👨‍🍳 Chef Avishar Barua — known for Agni and Joya's — will make another national TV appearance on Food Network's upcoming "24 in 24: Last Chef Standing." (Dispatch)

👋 Bubbly Food Hall in New Albany will close at the end of the month following multiple vendor departures and a legal dispute over unpaid loans. (614 Magazine)

🏥 Nationwide Children's Hospital opened its 20th local school-based health center at Groveport Madison High School. (Spectrum News 1)

It's been six years since there was playoff hockey in Columbus — do your part to bring it back.

🥅 Our pick: Back-to-back Jackets games.

The intrigue: Surging since a mid-January coaching change, the Blue Jackets are now legitimate playoff contenders and can return to the postseason for the first time since 2020 with a solid final 10 games.

What we're watching: First, the San Jose Sharks visit 5pm Saturday. Some resale tickets are still available starting at around $100.

• Sunday's 5pm puck drop against Eastern Conference foe Boston is a bigger matchup. Tickets start at around $60.

What else is happening:

🌸 The Greater Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival is underway, with events through April 25.

🎶 Forever K-Pop, a tribute concert featuring songs from HUNTR/X, BTS and more, comes to the Mershon Auditorium Saturday afternoon.

🏀 The Columbus Wizards, who played their first home game Thursday in third-tier "The Basketball League," play their second on Saturday at Otterbein's Rike Center.

🎤 Popular podcaster Hannah Berner brings her standup show to the Mershon Auditorium tonight.

🤘 Theatrical heavy metal legends GWAR bring their notorious live show to Newport Music Hall Sunday night.

It's time to vote in the next round of our Music Madness bracket.

State of play: Four fan favorites are headed to the semifinals and all won by similar margins, so it's still anybody's contest.

Matchup 1: Natalie's Grandview, known for intimate shows and coal-fired pizzas, goes up against Newport Music Hall on OSU's campus, the country's longest continuing running rock club.

Matchup 2: Dick's Den, an Old North dive that's hosted jazz bands since the '60s, faces The Bluestone, a downtown concert venue and event space inside a converted Baptist church.

What's next: Vote here by noon Tuesday and check back Wednesday for the winners.