Pop-in Program

Pop-in to the education center for fun, hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) learning experiences for the whole family. Pop-in Programs are offered on the first and last Saturdays of the month (with a few exceptions) from 1-5pm. See the monthly themes & schedule below!   Upcoming Pop-in Program themes: Two Saturday sessions: March 7 & 28 | 1-5pm Gone but Not Forgotten: Understanding Extinction Through Time Discover how and why animals go extinct, and what fossils can teach us about life long ago. This month’s Pop-In Program uses a STEAM-focused approach to explore extinction events, changing environments, and how we can protect today’s threatened species. Two Saturday sessions: April 4 & 25 | 1-5pm Build a Book: Creating Stories From Page to Cover Discover how books are made from start to finish! This month’s Pop-In Program uses a STEAM-focused approach to explore the art and science of bookmaking as kids learn how paper is created and how simple materials can be transformed into handmade books. Participants will watch a demonstration of paper-making using recycled materials and then construct their own books to take home. Two Saturday sessions: May 2 & May 30 | 1-5pm Life Before Flowers: Permian Plants Travel back more than 250 million years to explore the ancient plants that covered the Earth during the Permian Period! This month’s Pop-In Program uses a STEAM-focused approach to investigate early forests, towering tree ferns, cone-bearing plants, and the ecosystems they supported. Participants will discover how these prehistoric plants survived in changing climates and learn how scientists study fossilized plant material to uncover ancient landscapes. Two Saturday sessions: August 1 & 29 | 1-5pm Permian Skies: Weather in a Prehistoric World Explore what Earth’s weather was like more than 250 million years ago during the Permian Period! This month’s Pop-In Program uses a STEAM-focused approach to investigate ancient climates, shifting seasons, and how changing temperatures affected the plants and animals of the time. Participants will learn how scientists study rocks, fossils, and landscapes to understand past weather patterns. Two Saturday sessions: September 5 & 26 | 1-5pm Galileo’s Gaze: Exploring the Night Sky Discover how Galileo changed our understanding of the universe with one simple tool: the telescope! This month’s Pop-In Program uses a STEAM-focused approach to explore early astronomy, how telescopes work, and what Galileo saw when he first looked toward the heavens. Participants will learn about the Moon’s surface, Jupiter’s moons, and other celestial wonders that revealed a new view of our solar system. One Saturday session: October 31 | 1-5pm Potion Power: The Magic of Chemistry This Halloween, enter a world of bubbling brews and mysterious mixtures as we uncover the real science behind classic potion-making! This month’s Pop-In Program uses a STEAM-focused approach to explore fizzy r...