Excitement is building for the 2024 Nebraska Science Festival.
Mark your calendars for a myriad of science and technology-related activities scheduled throughout the month of April.
Launched in 2013 by UNMC, the statewide festival allows participants to discover the importance of science and how it is intertwined in their daily lives. Activities – scheduled in communities across the state – are interactive, relevant and fun for kids and adults.
Visit the Nebraska Science Festival website for a full and detailed list of activities, including opportunities to view an eclipse “up close” through safe solar telescopes (April 8), tour a recycling center (April 19) and do hands-on science activities at the public expo (April 27).
While many events are free, some require reservations, available via the website. While there, you’ll find the following events (and many more):
- Omaha Science Café – Max Kurz, PhD, scientist in the Institute for Human Neuroscience and director of the Physiology of Walking & Engineering Rehabilitation Laboratory at the Boys Town Institute for Human Neuroscience, will present “The Brain That Heals Itself” on April 2 at the Slowdown in Omaha. This free event is open to anyone 21 years and older.
- Open House at the UNL Student Observatory – On April 5 and 19, see the stars, planets and moon from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus.
- Science Sundays – Stop by the Omaha RiverFront in Omaha each Sunday for hands-on, family-friendly science activities, while supplies last.
- The Great American Eclipse Viewing at Branched Oak Observatory – A unique chance to see the April 8 eclipse “up close” through safe solar telescopes.
- Introduction to Falconry – Learn about the ancient sport of falconry at the Kearney Public Library on April 11.
- Third Tuesday Bird Outings – Join a knowledgeable bird guide on the April 16 outing around the accessible trails at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon in Denton, Nebraska.
- Boys Town Hall of History – Learn about various science topics each week ranging from comic books and magnifying glasses to windmills and blueprints.
- Lucky Bucket Brewing Tours – A lot of things (and science) go into making great beer and spirits. Sign up for a Saturday tour and learn more about the craft.
- Return of the Thunderbirds – On April 13, visit the Indian Center Inc. in Lincoln for a cross-cultural community event celebrating the return of rain, thunder, spring and bird migration.
- G. Stanley Hall Science Night – Enjoy hands-on science stations throughout the La Vista, Nebraska, school on April 18.
- First Star Recycling Tour – On April 19, visit Omaha’s leading recycling center. This is currently sold out.
- SCC Family Night – Celebrate Earth Day with hands-on science activities on April 22 at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska.
- Science Trivia at Legend Comics and Coffee – Grab your thinking caps for a night of science trivia on April 24.
- Metropolitan Community College Science Day – Stop by the South Omaha Campus on April 27 for hands-on activities.
- Public Science Expo at The Durham Museum – The free, in-person public expo on April 27 will feature a variety of hands-on science activities. Admission is free, although tickets are required.
- Breathe Easy: Respiratory Therapists and the Evolution of a Profession – This April 29 event, presented by UNMC’s new Master of Respiratory Care program, features the movie “Breathe,” starring Andrew Garfield, followed by a professional panel on ethics, quality, safety, patient-centered care and audience questions. Seats are limited; RSVPs encouraged for the event at Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater in Omaha.
- SciFest Flavor of the Month – Love ice cream? Throughout April, eCreamery will sell its SciFest Flavor of the Month, called Animal House. The tasty treat features cake mix ice cream, frosted animal crackers and cookie dough.
- Plus, numerous events will be hosted by the Omaha Public Library, including Space: It’s Out of This World, designed for kindergarten through fifth-grade students. Registration required.
Activities will be promoted on the Nebraska Science Festival website, as well as on X, formerly known as Twitter and Facebook. Events are continually being added, so visit often for updates or to see if reservations or tickets are required.
Presented by UNMC, the Nebraska Science Festival is a collaboration of organizations and individuals interested in the advancement of science literacy. In addition to UNMC, other sponsors, to date, are Boys Town, Metro Credit Union, KETV and the National Science Foundation’s Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.