Nebraska Science Festival

Illustrated Poem Contest
2022-04-01 - 2022-04-24 | NE
Each year, as part of Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW), the American Chemical Society (ACS) sponsors an illustrated poem contest for K-12 students. The Omaha ACS section invites all area students to compete. The theme of CCEW 2022 is The Buzz About Bugs: Insect Chemistry.
Students in grades K-12, click here for more Information.
Parents and Teachers: You can also find digital educational resources and activity ideas at the ACS website.
Questions? Contact ErinGross@creighton.edu

NE SciFest Art Contest
2022-04-01 - 2022-04-30 | NE
Open to all ages, we want you to create (draw, paint, glue, sculpt) artwork that reflects ocean life and be entered to win an NE SciFest swag package.
Three winners will receive a swag bag of NE SciFest goodies.
Send a clear photo of your creation to nescifest@gmail.com by April 30 to be entered to win a prize. All art will be showcased on the festival social pages in May.

Teen PSA Challenge
2022-04-01 - 2022-04-30 | NE
Nebraska Cures is inviting teens to participate in their second annual teen public service announcement (PSA) competition designed to promote science and engage in science advocacy. The competition theme is the “Climate & Health Challenge.” The competition challenges teens to create and share PSAs on social media that educate about the impact of climate change and extreme weather on physical and mental health.
Entries can be made in three categories: pictures, infographics and short videos (60 seconds or less). Entries can be made on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and must use #ClimateHealthChallenge and either #NebraskaCures or tag the organization. $50 prizes will be awarded in each category. Winners will be announced in early May.
Participants must be 13-19 years old and live in Nebraska. Additional details and a full list of rules are here.

King Science & Technology Magnet Science Day
2022-04-02 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | King Science and Technology Magnet, 3720 Florence Blvd., Omaha, NE, 68110, United States
Join King Science & Technology Magnet for a morning of activities put together by their healthcare, zoo and space programs.

Create a traveling first aid kit, create pollinating seed cards/bombs, and flying free flight Gliders.
Incase of bad weather, this event will move indoors.

Teen DIY: Morse Code Bracelet
2022-04-05 09:00 - 21:00, 2022-04-05 18:30 - 19:30 | City of Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Avenue, Kearney, NE, 68847, United States
A Morse Code Bracelet is a minimal and meaningful bracelet that can be a great gift or fun to create for yourself. Select a name or phrase and then use the International Morse Code chart to figure out the number of dots and dashes you will need. The library will provide all of the needed supplies. Limited to 20 in-person and 30 take-and-make participants aged 12–18. Registration is required.

Register here: https://cityofkearney.org/Activities/Activity/Detail/Teen-DIY-Morse-Code-Bracelets-302

Fairytale STEM with NE SciFest
2022-04-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Millard Branch, 13214 Westwood Ln., Omaha, NE, 68144, United States
Join Omaha Public Library staff to explore STEM by way of familiar and popular fairytales. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math are all around us, even in the stories we love. Explore one or more of these concepts with hands-on activities inspired by a tale. All supplies will be provided.
This program is recommended for children in grades 1-5. Register here.

Omaha STEM Community Connect: STEM Happy Hour
2022-04-05 17:30 - 18:30 | Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, 3701 S 10th St., Omaha, NE, 68107, United States
You’re invited to this in-person event that highlights the STEM Community Platform, and how it serves as a critical piece in leveraging business and education expertise to close the talent gap. Learn how you can be a part of this shared opportunity to grow our STEM talent and assure Omaha remains a vibrant STEM Community. Each guest will receive a complimentary drink ticket. Though it is a free event, tickets recommended: www.eventbrite.com/e/omaha-stem-community-connect-stem-happy-hour-tickets-264241201547

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson: An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies
2022-04-06 19:30 - 21:30 | Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas Street, Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
From Star Wars to Frozen to Titanic to The Martian — join beloved astrophysics icon Neil deGrasse Tyson for an entertaining and enlightening review of all the science that our favorite movies got wrong and what they got right. His presentation will incorporate contemporary films plus some classics that you may not have known had any science in them at all.

To receive 25% off tickets (in price level 1-3 only), use code: SCIENCE22 at check out.

Legos at the Library
2022-04-07 15:45 - 16:45, 2022-04-21 15:45 - 16:45 | City of Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Avenue, Kearney, NE, 68847, United States
Come for some brick-snappin’ fun! You can design and build your own creations and enjoy hanging out with other Lego enthusiasts. We’ll supply the Legos, you just need to bring your imagination. No registration is needed for this program designed for youth ages 3–12.

#049Day
2022-04-09 12:00 - 16:00 | Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, 28210 W Park Hwy, Ashland, NE, 68003, United States
After 6 years and over 32,000 volunteer hours, the interior and exterior restoration of the EC-135 “Looking Glass” TN #63-8049 has been nearly completed.
While there is still work being done on the wings and engines, the aircraft has been restored to its former glory and sits proudly in Hangar B at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum.
Now, they are opening the aircraft to give you an opportunity to see this titan of the Cold War.
Join them on Saturday, April 9, 2022, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm for this rare opportunity to go inside the EC-135 and learn about the critical role it played in the Strategic Air Command fleet “Preserving the Peace.” The Curatorial Team and Volunteers will give brief tours of the aircraft interior and share stories of its history.
Regular admission applies and reservations are not needed for this event.
Tours will be limited to approximately 10 minutes to allow for as many guests as possible to view the aircraft.
To learn more about the EC-135, visit: https://www.sacmuseum.org/what-to-see/aircraft/ec-135-looking-glass/

Fairytale STEM with NE SciFest
2022-04-09 14:00 - 15:00 | A.V. Sorensen Branch, 4808 Cass St., Omaha, NE, 68132, United States
Join OPL staff to explore STEM by way of familiar and popular fairytales. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math are all around us, even in the stories we love. Explore one or more of these concepts with hands-on activities inspired by a tale. All supplies will be provided.

Seuss-sational Science
2022-04-09 14:00 - 15:00 | W. Dale Clark (Main) Library, 215 S. 15th St., Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
Meet the Omaha Children’s Museum’s resident “Seussical Scientist,” as we bring Dr. Seuss’ classics to life with experiments and silliness inspired by the legendary books! This larger than life program bridges literacy and STEM learning in a fun and engaging way! This program is a part of the Nebraska Science Festival. Check out the OPL events calendar for more science fun!
Childcare groups and other groups larger than 10, please call in advance.

Fairytale STEM with NE SciFest
2022-04-12 16:00 - 17:00 | W. Clarke Swanson Branch, 9101 W. Dodge Rd., Omaha, NE, 68114, United States
In conjunction with Nebraska Science Festival, join OPL staff to explore STEM by way of familiar and popular fairytales. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math are all around us, even in the stories we love. Explore one or more of these concepts with hands-on activities inspired by a tale. All supplies will be provided.
This program is recommended for children in grades 1-5. Register here.

Tinker Tots
2022-04-12 18:30 - 19:30 | City of Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Avenue, Kearney, NE, 68847, United States
Join us for a hands-on STEM program designed especially for you and your preschooler. Help your child develop important math, science, and learning readiness skills while having fun! An adult caregiver must remain with the participating child. Limited to 10 participants ages 2–5.

Register today at https://www.cityofkearney.org/Activities/Activity/Detail/Tinker-Tots-184

Build, Connect, Create
2022-04-12 18:30 - 19:30 | City of Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Avenue, Kearney, NE, 68847, United States
Explore, create, and learn as you build with our collection of STEM toys, including Snap Circuits, KEVA Planks, Straws and Connectors, Magna-Tiles, and more! What is STEM? STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. There is a push for youth to start learning about STEM early to empower them with skills to succeed and adapt to our increasingly complex and changing technological world. Limited to 25 participants aged 5–14 per session. Register today at https://www.cityofkearney.org/…/Build-Connect-Create-58.

Omaha Science Cafe with Common Senses Festival
2022-04-13 09:00 - 10:00 | NE
Join Michael Hollins, James Coleman and Dr. Matthew Goodwin for our next virtual Omaha Science Café on April 13 at 9am.
This team is behind two of the Common Senses Festival installations. Essentially the two installations, combined, make up The EMMA project. Think a prescriptive environment that uses sensors to assess a person’s arousal state and then adjusts (lighting, sound, projections) to help someone self regulate.
The virtual Science Café will be offered via zoom and livestreamed to the Science Cafe Facebook page. Viewers do not need a Facebook account to view the livestream.
Register here for the zoom link.
Science Cafés involve a conversation with an expert about current science topics. They are open to everyone. Each meeting is organized around an interesting topic of conversation. Experts give a brief presentation followed by a Q&A period.

Speaker Bios
Michael Hollins is the Director of Community & Business Engagement for the iEXCEL program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Previously, he served as Chief Creative Officer for community and arts organizations such as KANEKO and Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment (PACE). Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) in Anthropology, Philosophy, and Film Studies and Master of Arts in Cinema & Media Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and volunteers with the Nebraska Writers Collective, Autism Action Partnership, tbd. Dance Collective and Film Streams.

James Coleman is a current doctoral student at Princeton University and is a former Senior Project Engineer at JB&B. Specialized in “Smart Buildings,” he facilitates the adoption of cutting-edge technology to deliver better occupant experiences in buildings, for all who use them. In collaboration with Dr. Goodwin, he developed The LivingRoom: a controllable environment that allows occupants to curate a calming space for themselves out of lights, sounds and images. James aspires to make Smart Building technologies widespread, so that all may benefit from environments that understand their unique preferences.

Dr. Matthew S. Goodwin is an Interdisciplinary Associate Professor with joint appointments in the Bouvé College of Health Sciences and Khoury College of Computer Science, where he is a founding faculty member of a new doctoral program in Personal Health Informatics and Directs the Computational Behavioral Science Laboratory. Dr. Goodwin was a former Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics at Harvard Medical School, Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University, and Director of Clinical Research at the MIT Media Lab. He has previously served on the Executive Board of the International Society for Autism Research and the Scientific Advisory Board for Autism Speaks. He has over 20 years of research and clinical experience working with children and adults on the autism spectrum and developing and evaluating innovative technologies for behavioral assessment and intervention, including video and audio capture, telemetric physiological monitors, accelerometry sensors, and digital video/facial recognition systems

Seuss-sational Science
2022-04-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Benson Branch, 6015 Binney Street, Omaha, NE, 68104, United States
Meet the “Seussical Scientist,” as we bring Dr. Seuss’ classics to life with experiments and silliness inspired by the legendary books! This larger than life program bridges literacy and STEM learning in a fun and engaging way.

Mad Hatter Tea Party
2022-04-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, 28210 W Park Hwy, Ashland, NE, 68003, United States
Follow us down the rabbit hole! The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum’s Spring Fling is now the “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.” Visit the museum for a fun-filled, whimsical day featuring tea from around the world. Plus, kids of all ages can engage in educational activities like spin paint and more.
If that wasn’t enough, kids can participate in the scavenger hunt throughout the museum.
Finally, while you’re there, be sure to say “hello” and grab a photo with Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland.

Lunch & Learn: Biomedical Scientist Zoltan Takacs
2022-04-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas Street, Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
Join us on April 20, noon, for a very special Lunch and Learn with National Geographic Live biomedical scientist, Zoltan Takacs at the Holland Center. This intimate setting will allow you to ask questions related to Earth’s Deadliest Lifesavers and Zoltan Takacs career.
The Earth’s deadliest animal venoms are a source of a number of lifesaving medicines used to treat everything from heart attacks to diabetes. Yet there are millions of venom toxins in nature that remain unexplored. Biomedical scientist and inventor Zoltan Takacs collects snake, scorpion, jellyfish, and other venoms from around the world. Back in the lab, using cutting-edge genomics, he creates combinatorial venom libraries to identify leads for novel medicines.

Driven by his childhood passion, he’s traveled to 155 countries and become an aircraft pilot, scuba diver and real-life survivor, roughing it in a hammock deep in the Amazon or in remote Pacific islands. In his mission, he survived charging elephants, pirated waters and a series of snake bites and venom spit in his face (all his faults he admits). Now he’s allergic to both snake venom and antivenom.

This event is free, though tickets are required. Doors open at 11:30am, lunch available for purchase.

Bio & Beers Happy Hour
2022-04-21 16:30 - 19:00 | Code Beer Co., 200 S Antelope Valley Pkwy, Lincoln, NE, 68510, United States
You’re invited to Bio Nebraska’s Bio & Beers Happy Hour on April 21 at 4:30pm. Connect with professionals from across Nebraska’s bioscience industry at Code Beer Co. in Lincoln, Nebraska. Free for Bio Nebraska Members, $10 for non-members. Register here by April 13.

Ms. Frizzle's Wacky Science Weekend
2022-04-22 09:00 - 16:00, 2022-04-23 09:00 - 16:00, 2022-04-24 09:00 - 16:00 | Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 South 20th Street, Omaha, NE, 68102
Are you ready to “take chances, make mistakes, and get messy?” Do we have the event for you! The Magic School Bus is rolling into Omaha Children’s Museum for this fun weekend of science and exploration! Join us at the slime bar, catch science shows, make volcanoes erupt, meet Ms. Frizzle herself, and so much more! Free with museum admission.

2022 Tribute Luncheon
2022-04-25 12:00 - 13:30 | Happy Hollow Country Club, 1701 S 105th St., Omaha, NE, 68124, United States
You’re invited to honor and celebrate Dr. Howard Gendelman and Dr. Bonnie Bloch on April 25, 2022 at noon. Please join us to support health science research and career pathways.
To purchase tickets click here.

Get Crafty: Glass Bead Suncatchers
2022-04-26 | City of Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Avenue, Kearney, NE, 68847, United States
These suncatchers are quick to make, and look absolutely amazing when they are hanging in your window! You will have to be patient though as they take a few days to dry completely. The library will provide the supplies, you supply the imagination. Supply packets will be available for pickup beginning on April 26 at 9:00 am. The how-to video will be released on Facebook, YouTube, and our website at 4:00 pm the same day. Limited to 50 participants aged 3–13.

Register here: https://cityofkearney.org/Activities/Activity/Detail/Get-Crafty-Glass-Bead-Suncatchers-319

Bryan Middle School STEAM Family Night
2022-04-26 15:15 - 17:00 | Bryan Middle School, 8210 South 42nd Street, Omaha, NE, 68147, United States
Join Bryan Middle School for their STEAM Family Night on April 26 from 3:15-5pm. STEAM Family Night is an afternoon of hands-on science, math, art, and engineering activities for students and families to complete together. The event includes a range of activities covering different STEAM topics and connections to exciting STEAM careers.

Ask a Meteorologist with Caitlin Harvey
2022-04-28 10:00 - 11:00 | NE
Get your questions ready for our “Ask a Meteorologist” virtual event with KETV NewsWatch 7’s very own Caitlin Harvey.
Caitlin Harvey is a Meteorologist with KETV NewsWatch 7 in Omaha. Growing up just outside of Kansas City, Missouri, Caitlin is no stranger to severe weather and dramatic temperature changes. Her earliest weather memory came at the age of 4, when a tornado warning forced her family outside into the storm cellar. Though no damage came from the warning, that memory sparked a fascination and passion for weather and to learn what caused such severe weather.
Caitlin attended the University of Missouri in Columbia and earned a degree in Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences – with an emphasis in Atmospheric Science, in 2016. Caitlin interned with NBC affiliate KOMU and went on to work at KMIZ in Columbia, Missouri and KDRV in Medford, Oregon.
Outside of work, Caitlin is part of a proud “geek” family. She is happily married to her husband, Skip, a comic book creator and artist, and a proud pet parent to Starbuck, Maeby, Gerbie, and Noodle. She enjoys swimming, water skiing, sailing, cosplay and karaoke.
Caitlin will join us live on our festival Facebook page on April 28 at 10am to answer all your science and weather questions.
You can send in questions before the event, or ask them live in the chat the day of the event.

Kennedy STEAM Night
2022-04-28 17:30 - 19:00 | Howard Kennedy Elementary Schoool, 2906 N 30th St., Omaha, NE, 68111, United States
Kennedy Elementary School is hosting a STEAM Night on Thursday, April 28, from 5:30-7pm featuring Robotics, Rockets, Hovercrafts, Fire Truck, Urban Gardening, 3D Pens, Water Science, Laser Cutting and more!
Come and enjoy awesome opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. Food, Fun and Family time for ALL.
