PARTY AT THE SCIENCE CENTER

Science centers aren't just meant for just being used for school field trips. Leave the kids at home and have a fun outing at the Michigan Science Center's AFTER DARK party on Saturday, September 27 from 6 - 11 pm. The theme of this 21+ only event is THE MI-SCI GAMES. In honor of this summer's Olympic Games, attendees can compete against one another in racing through an inflatable obstacle course. The team from Hustle Flow Lab will be getting everyone warmed up providing exercise demonstrations and showing stretching techniques before people jump into the obstacle course. A fun way to get rid of some stress at the end of the work week with a light hearted workout.

If getting an aerobic workout isn't your thing, there are other games to play at this event. Quizzo will be hosting three trivia game sessions throughout the evening. Bring your Trivia A Game because these will be challenging to event the most seasoned bar trivia extraordinaire. Opal Grove Gaming will also be on hand to host people in playing some of today's most popular table top games. Table top games have seen a real resurgence since the COVID outbreak.

Plus, your ticket to the event provides access to all the museum has to offer, including the latest special exhibit, "Above & Beyond," planetarium shows, and an IMAX® Dome theater Laser Show. Sip on handcrafted cocktails, dance to the dynamic tunes of a live DJ from the Tod Everett Experience, and discover the excitement of exploring the museum's interactive exhibits. One free drink ticket is included with admission. 

Tickets are $45 per person. Click here to purchase tickets in advance online. For more information, go to mi-sci.org. If you love a good Halloween party, mark down on your calendar October 26 for the AFTER DARK: NIGHTMARE ON JOHN R STREET event at the Michigan Science Center. Their Halloween festivities are spooktacular. These AFTER DARK 21+ parties at the Science Center are a great way to have an educational and entertaining evening out on the town for kids at heart whether you are a single college student or parents looking for an out of the ordinary date night.

MICHIGAN SCIENCE CENTER ECHO LIVE

For their days science lesson today, the teachers at my kids school had all the 5th Graders log onto Facebook Live to witness a presentation from the Michigan Science Center. With the school building closed due to the pandemic, the teachers have been teaching online via live Zoom sessions, recorded YouTube videos and having the kids participate in different activities like this. The Michigan Science Center ECHO Live! presentations let students participate in a different experiment each day asking questions and interact with the host through the Facebook Live chat feature.

These free 1/2 hour video presentations will take place every weekday at 2:30 pm ET for what would have been the remainder of the school year. If you miss a live experiment and chat session, the videos are posted later on the Michigan Science Center YouTube channel. I watched along with my son and daughter and have to say the presenter did a very nice job of conducting the experiments in a relatable way to children as well as interacting with the viewers through the Facebook Live chat feature as if she was doing the presentation with the kids sitting right in front of her at the science center. I give her a Geek Daddy nod of approval for a job well done!



The presentation we saw today involved experiments with electricity and showing how a circuit works. Viewers learned how to turn a potato or lemon into a battery. While moms may tell kids to never play with their food, I think it is ok for science experiments. I know my kids would much rather do experiments with carrots than eat them! My son and daughter both want us to do some science experiments with the fruits and vegetables in our kitchen pantry now.



If you are home schooling children, these videos provide some nice science curriculum that is both educational and entertaining. They'll be covering different topics so tune in each day to see what new experiment is taking place. Check out these great Michigan Science Center ECHO Live sessions while staying home and staying safe.

MICHIGAN SCIENCE CENTER COLORFUL PLANET DAY

Saturday, January 11 is COLORFUL PLANET DAY at the Michigan Science Center located within the Cultural Center of Detroit. Thanks to Axalta Coating Systems there will be FREE admission from 10 am - 5pm for people to experience the science center's new exhibit CONSERVE THIS COLORFUL PLANET. Visitors can also check out 220 other hands-on exhibits, live science demonstrations, the Smithsonian Spark!Lab, and a STEM Playground while there. Pre-registration is requested to participate in this free opportunity to receive general admission tickets to the Michigan Science Center.

CONSERVE THIS COLORFUL PLANET  aims to inspire people to learn about water conservation in a colorful and engaging way. Through partnering with Ducks Unlimited and Six Rivers Conservancy, the Michigan Science Center provides a colorful exhibit experience with activities that aren't just fun but educational as well. It is a great way to appreciate the colorfulness of our planet.

Parking is available at the Detroit Institute of Arts parking lot or one of the nearby Wayne State University parking structures. There is a fee to park at these locations. Limited metered street parking is also available in the vicinity. Download the Park Detroit App to assist with parking arrangements for downtown visits.

For more information about the Michigan Science Center go to mi-sci.org

ILLUMINATE: A NIGHT AT THE MICHIGAN SCIENCE CENTER

The Michigan Science Center is encouraging families to stop by the evening of Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 7 to 11pm for a special fun-filled after-hours party. ILLUMINATE: A NIGHT AT THE MICHIGAN SCIENCE CENTER will provide an electrifying experience as it highlights its newest exhibit "Creatures of Light: Nature's Bioluminescence" and provides opportunities for attendees to be entertained by activities that revolve around the theme of "light." Guests can witness fire breathing and juggling performances by Sunshine Fire Entertainment, interact with touch tanks from Sea Life Aquarium, and more during this event.

The Creatures of Light exhibit allows people to discover the world of bioluminescence - the generation of light by living things. Travel through summer meadows, visit the deep sea, explore other-worldly environments, experience a custom soundscape, and encounter amazing organisms. This exhibit is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada, and The Field Museum, Chicago. The exhibit is divided into six sections --  Woods: Mushrooms; A Summer's Night: Fireflies; A Mysterious Cave: Glowworms; A Sparkling Sea: Dinoflagellates; Sea Shores: Corals, Jellies & Fishes; and Deep Ocean: Predators & Prey.  Creatures of Light includes interactive experiences, larger than life models, video presentations and even some live animals.

There will also be special hands-on activities taking place throughout the evening that include:

Painting with Light: Light up the night and write a message in the dark at our Light Painting station. Light painting is a photography technique using slow a shutter speed to draw in the air with light. With our supply of various sources of light, we are sure you will have some bright ideas!

Technology Hologram: Witness a larger-than-life hologram image and create your own mini version to take home, using your smart phone and a few simple supplies!

Bling Bar: Transform into one of our Creatures of Light by making an LED angler fish headband or a fire fly pin!

Diffraction Glasses & Spectrum Tubes: Design and create Diffraction Glasses, then chase rainbows as these sassy specs separate and diffract the light around us. Put them to the test in during the Planetarium show: Cosmic Colors!

Paint by Numbers Throwies: Learn about electricity by creating an LED circuit and then throw your creation to create a piece of bioluminescent art, which will be showcased in the Creatures of Light exhibit.

Thermal Mapping: Did you know your body can light up too? See where your skin is radiating the warmest heat waves with our infrared camera!

Perler Beads: Use beads to create unique glow-in-the-dark designs.

Glow Slime – Make oozy slime that glows in dark!

Live Demo (Luminol): Learn how energy produces visible light through chemical reactions. We think it’s pretty brilliant! ·

Fluorescing Bubbles: Make ordinary dry ice into vibrant bubbles that glow under ultra violet light!

Desserts will be provided and a cash bar will be available for guest 21+. Tickets can be purchased here. Tickets for ILLUMINATE are $40 per adult and  $15 for each child.  CLICK HERE to purchase tickets. 

The Michigan Science Center is located at 5020 John R Street in downtown Detroit, Michigan.  CLICK HERE for directions and parking information.

About the Michigan Science Center

The Michigan Science Center is a hands-on museum that inspires curious minds of all ages to discover, explore and appreciate science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in a creative, dynamic learning environment. The Science Center features five theaters, including Michigan’s largest screen at the Chrysler IMAX® Dome Theatre; the Dassault Systèmes Planetarium; the Toyota Engineering 4D Theater; the DTE Energy Sparks Theater; the Chrysler Science Stage; a 9,800 square-foot Traveling Science Hall for special exhibits; hands-on exhibit galleries focusing on space, life and physical science; Kids Town just for pint-size scientists; along with, education and outreach programs. The Michigan Science Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not receive any money from the city of Detroit or the state of Michigan. For more information, please call 313.577.8400 or visit the website, www.Mi-Sci.org

Michigan Science Center: After Dark -- Super Heroes & Comics

Enjoy an educational and entertaining evening at the Michigan Science Center without any children around.  On the third Thursday of the month from 6 - 9pm, the institution regularly hosts an After Dark happy hour for ages 21+ that allows attendees to enjoy some adult beverages while engaging in fun activities and learning about exciting scientific concepts revolving around a designated theme.  Thursday, September 15th, "Superheroes & Comics" is the theme of the night. Costumes are encouraged!

"Superheroes & Comics" will feature a pop-up shop by downtown Detroit's new comic book shop Vault of Midnight, appearances by costumed members of the Great Lakes Ghostbuster Coalition movie fan club, face painting by Sandy's Land Entertainment, beer from Atwater Brewery, a superhero science presentation, and a "heroes in the sky" planetarium show.  Other activities will include a super hero mask making opportunity, a craft table to make Perler bead creations, and a comic book themed photo booth.  Tickets can be purchased online or at the door for $15 per person and the event has a cash bar.

Themes for upcoming After Dark events at the Michigan Science Center's Midtown Detroit location include Harry Potter and Winter Solstice.  Plus there will be a family friendly After Dark evening event taking place on Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 6 - 11pm that is open to all ages which will celebrate the science of light called ILLUMINATE:  A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM.

The Michigan Science Center is located at 5020 John R. Street, Detroit  MI 48202.  For more information, please visit mi-sci.org

Saturday March 12 is FREE Admission Day at the Michigan Science Center

I remember the excitement of being a kid and my parents taking me on an afternoon adventure to the "big city" to explore the science center.  Hate to say it but I haven't taken that same trip to Detroit with my own kids even though it was such a memorable moment of my own childhood.  Most adults who grew up in southeastern Michigan paid a visit to the science center in Detroit either as a family outing or on a school field trip at some point as a child.  If you are a parent like me who has been negligent in sharing that same experience with your own kids this upcoming weekend is a chance to rectify that.  Saturday, March 12, 2016 is FREE ADMISSION Day at the Michigan Science Center courtesy of the Ford Motor Company Fund.

From 10 am - 6pm general admission to the Michigan Science Center located at 5020 John R. Street in Detroit is at no charge to the public.  Experience 250+ hands-on exhibits that explore heath, physical science, space, and engineering plus view live stage shows, lab activities and more.  Additionally there is a Planetarium experience, IMAX Dome Theatre movie presentations, and a special exhibit called Toytopia that are available to enjoy for an additional cost.  Visit mi-sci.org for more information about the science center's programs and theater times.