Wondering where to take your small fry to experience hands-on science? Here are seven ideas of places that offer education programs for a wide range of ages, many of them ongoing, and two upcoming events you won’t want to miss!
Math & Science Family Fun Fair
Hands-on Science Special Events
STEM Family Day
Mill City Museum, 704 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis, MN 55407
When: Look for this event in February.
Cost: $6-$12/pp
This hands-on program combines Minnesota history with the science of baking and flour production as well as mechanical waterpower and hydroelectricity.
Tech Fest
The Works Museum, Bloomington, MN
When: Look for this event in February.
Cost: $9-$12/pp
Featuring kid-friendly demos of emerging technology and activities led by scientists, engineers, and educators
Invent it. Build it.
Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55403
When: Look for this event in October.
Cost: $5-$7/pp
The Society of Women Engineers 9th annual Invent it. Build it. event is an experience designed to encourage middle school and high school girls to choose a career in engineering. Registration Required.
- Physics Force Show. Physicists demonstrate their science with crazy stunts. (Registration Required)
- Cool Chemistry. For girls in grades 7-8 features interactive workshops, chemistry “tricks,” and new skills.
- Public lectures—College of Science and Engineering. For grades 9-12. Public lectures on scientific discoveries
- Public Energy and U Show For grades 3-8. An interactive show incorporating explosions, flames, flying pop bottles, music, and dancing and teach thermodynamics, world energy use, and energy challenges.
- Public telescope viewings. All ages. Presentation followed by outdoor observing.
- Robot show. All ages. Public show in December of each year featuring robots built by more than 200 engineering students
- Universe in the Park
Year Round Hands-on Science
Raptor Center Tours | Gabbert Raptor Center
1920 Fitch Ave, St. Paul
When: Every half hour, 10:30am-3:30pm, Tues-Fri & 12:30 pm-3:30pm, Sat/Sun
Cost: $3-$5/pp
Details: Bring kids of any age for a fun and educational visit to the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center. Check out their remodeled raptor habitats, and get up close to bald eagles, kestrels, owls and falcons. The Raptor Center treats about 800 injured birds a year with the goal of releasing them back to the wild. Read more about taking kids to the Raptor Center here.
Gabbert Raptor Center
Bakken Museum
3537 Zenith Avenue South, Minneapolis
Cost: $10/adults, $8/students & seniors, under 4 FREE
Details: Whether you go on your own schedule or for a special program, The Bakken always has hands-on science fun to explore. Read more about it here.
The Works
9740 Grand Ave, Bloomington
When: Hours vary throughout the year
Cost: $9/pp
Details: Dig into the guts of machines and electronics and figure out how those gadgets work! All supplies provided
Science Museum of Minnesota
120 W. Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul
When: Open Daily. Sun-Wed 9:30 am-5:00 pm; Thurs-Sat 9:30 an-9:00 pm
Cost: $12.95-$18.95 (additional for Omni-Theatre).
Details: Three stories of permanent and traveling science exhibits. Find find hands-on science activities to go with whatever you are studying.
Science Museum of Minnesota
Kroening Interpretive Center
4900 Mississippi Court, Minneapolis
When: Hours vary throughout the year
Cost: Free (Some special activities have a fee)
Details: Explore on your own or in a special activity. Find this are more ideas for nature play here.
The Bell Museum of Natural History
2088 Larpenteur Avenue West, Saint Paul, MN, USA
When: Daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cost: Ages 21-64: $12; 65+: $10; 3-21 $9; Under 3: Free
Details: The newly re-built and updated Bell Museum re-opened in the summer of 2018 and has brought back its popular planetarium along with natural history exhibits.
Hands-On Science At Home
For more fun hands-on science activities, Gianna has found some great activities you can try at home:
Click Here for More Science Fun
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