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: 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 reactions, color-changing concoctions, and ingredients that behave in surprising ways. Participants will investigate the chemistry hidden inside spooky “witch’s brews” and magical transformations. Two Saturday sessions: November 7 & 28 | 1-5pm The Swing of Science: Exploring the Power of the Pendulum Discover how a simple swinging weight helped scientists understand motion, time, and the forces that shape our world! This month’s Pop-In Program uses a STEAM-focused approach to explore how pendulums move, what affects their swing, and why Galileo’s observations changed science forever. Participants will test different pendulum designs and experiment with patterns and timing. One Saturday session: December 5 | 1-5pm It’s the Most Wonderful Slime of the Year Get ready to stretch, squish, and explore science! Kids will dive into the chemistry of polymers and cross-linking while creating their own colorful, sparkly slime—a non-Newtonian fluid that behaves like both a solid and a liquid. It’s messy, hands-on fun with a STEM twist! Pop-in Programs are offered in both English and Spanish and are included with admission. No pre-registration is needed. El programa se ofrece en español. Pop-in Programs are proudly supported by Union Pacific.