OSNI Contest: Play and guess what these objects are—they're on display at the Science Library or the Pharmacy Library!
Emerging from their hiding places, the OSNIs (Unidentified Scientific Objects) are back to challenge you and put your knowledge and powers of deduction to the test.
The goal: to try to figure out the name of a strange object and what it’s used for. Don’t hesitate to give it a try—there are prizes to be won!
Enter by April 17, 2026:
- On-site at the Science Library
- On Instagram @bu_montpellier by replying to our story every week, or on Instagram @lescollectionsdelum
OSNI No. 3/2026
Enter by May 13, 2026:
- On-site at the Pharmacy Library
- On Instagram @bu_montpellier by replying to our story every week, or on Instagram @lescollectionsdelum
OSNI No. 4/2026
What are OSNIs?
As witnesses to the history of science and technology, these Unidentified Scientific Objects—drawn from the University’s heritage collections—are now mysteries whose function, purpose, and sometimes even their names have been forgotten!
This contest, open to everyone, is an opportunity to rediscover them and learn a little more about the history of science in past centuries.
About every two months, objects are displayed in the lobby window of the Science Library or the Pharmacy Library for you to figure out—it’s up to you to guess what they are!
An event presented by the Historical Heritage Department and the Joint Documentation Department.
How do you play?
- Check out these items in the Science and/or Pharmacy libraries.
- Every week, to help you get on the right track, a new clue is revealed—both on-site and on the BU’s Instagram account.
- Once you've found it, drop a response form into the box provided or reply to the stories on Instagram.
- And at the end, a random drawing from among the correct answers will determine the winner, who will receive a small prize of their choice from among the options offered, such as: a set of beach rackets, a backpack, or Bluetooth headphones—and perhaps some unannounced surprises…