Nebraska Science Festival

BRICKLIVE Brickosaurs
2024-04-27 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-29 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-30 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha, NE, 68108
On display for the first time in the United States, experience BRICKLIVE Brickosaurs, an adventure of Jurassic scale at Omaha’s Lauritzen Gardens. Marvel at 30 iconic dinosaur sculptures made from more than 1.5 million bricks and witness firsthand what it would have been like to come face-to-face with a herd of incredible reptiles, while discovering prehistoric plants in the garden’s collection. This dino-mite brick sculpture exhibit is included with garden admission and is FREE for garden members.

Boys Town Hall of History Hands-On Weekly Activities
2024-04-27 10:00 - 16:30, 2024-04-28 11:00 - 16:00, 2024-04-29 10:00 - 16:30, 2024-04-30 10:00 - 16:30 | Boys Town Hall of History, 14057 Flanagan Blvd., Boys Town, NE, 68010, United States
Visit the Boys Town Hall of History and learn about various science topics with weekly activities. Each week, the Hall of History will host staff-led science activities during regular business hours. Stop by each week to check out the rotating activities!
Weekly Features:

April 1 – 7: Comic Book Station

Make your own comic book and take photo with our 6 ft 2 in Captain Marvel.

April 8 – 14: Magnifying

Learn about and explore with different magnifying glasses and microscopes.

April 15 – 21: Windmills

Learn about our windmill and make your own windmill.

April 22 – 30: Blueprints

Learn about blueprints, make your own blueprint and do Lego construction.

Business Hours:
Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sundays 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Fun with Fossils: Stomp Chomp Roar at Lauritzen Gardens
2024-04-27 12:00 - 15:00 | Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha, NE, 68108
From noon to 2 p.m., explore Stomp Chomp Roar’s fossil cart at Lauritzen Gardens and learn all about dinosaurs with Dinosaur Ranger Anthony and his friend Paleo. Then join us on the festival garden patio from 2 to 3 p.m. for an entertaining dinosaur show and prehistoric pep rally (weather permitting)! Included with paid garden admission, free for garden members.

Lucky Bucket Brewing Tour
2024-04-27 15:30 - 16:30 | Lucky Bucket Brewing, 11941 Centennial Road, Suite 1, La Vista, NE, 68128, United States
A lot of things (and science) go in to making great beer and spirits, and Lucky Bucket Brewing wants to share their craft with you.
Tours are approximately 1 Hour long and are currently offered at 3:30pm (cst) every Saturday.
$20 per person ticket includes:

Kick start your tour with a complimentary pint of draft beer of your choice to enjoy along the way
Tour of brewery, distillery and tasting room lead by one of our brand ambassadors
Two 5 ounce beers and Two 1 ounce samples of select spirits
20% off any apparel, glassware, or beer and spirits To-Go

Please note, tours should be booked by 1pm cst the day before your desire tour date and tour groups are limited to 12 people per tour.

NE SciFest Star Party at Branched Oak Observatory - CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
2024-04-27 21:00 - 2024-04-28 00:00 | Branched Oak Observatory, 14300 NW 98th St., Raymond, NE, 68428, United States
In collaboration with the Nebraska Science Festival, we are pleased to host the NE SciFest Star Party!
This FREE event is for all lovers of space science and astronomy. On Saturday, April 27th, Branched Oak Observatory will open its doors and train its telescopes to the skies between the hours of 9PM and Midnight to explore the wonders of the night sky through a variety of telescopes. See the Beehive Open Cluster, the Hercules Globular Cluster, the Cigar Galaxy, the Crab Nebula and so much more!
Note: Night sky observing is dependent on local weather conditions.
Visit theboo.org for more information about Branched Oak Observatory.

City Nature Challenge 2024 at Fontenelle Forest
2024-04-28 12:00 - 15:00 | Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N., Bellevue, NE, 68005, United States
Come search out a variety of wildlife, plants, and fungi for City Nature Challenge 2024 at Fontenelle Forest!
We will have various information stations set up around the Nature Center’s Dennis plaza with knowledgeable volunteers ready to inform you about the plants and animals you may discover during your trip. There will also be a raptor specialist on hand to educate visitors about these awesome birds of prey.
City Nature Challenge 2024 is organized by Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
SHARE YOUR FINDINGS!
Download the iNaturalist app to sign up and get involved with the City Nature Challenge 2024 | Omaha-Metro Area.

Sunday with a Scientist
2024-04-28 12:00 - 15:00 | University of Nebraska State Museum – Morrill Hall, 645 North 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68588
Meet a different scientist each month to learn about topics and careers in science. Scientists will share what they study in a fun, informal way through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and conversation.
Join Morrill Hall on Sunday, April 28 from 12-3pm for Nature in Lincoln’s Backyard with Pioneers Park Nature Center.
For almost 100 years, Pioneers Park has been Lincoln’s “backyard” and every year thousands of people visit the Park’s Nature Center to enjoy natural landscapes, beautiful gardens, and recreational opportunities. However, nature can also be found and appreciated much closer to home! Spend the afternoon with the Nature Center’s Outdoor Educators to learn how to observe, identify, and share the natural objects and phenomena that are always nearby. Come ready to observe with all of your senses and leave better equipped to appreciate nature wherever it is found.
Included with admission; FREE for members

Yates Illuminates Grand Opening
2024-04-28 13:00 - 16:00 | Yates Illuminates, 3260 Davenport Street, Omaha, NE, 68131, United States
On April 28, Yates Illuminates will hold its site wide grand opening. The Science Club and the Bellevue Amateur Radio Club will partner to host an Amateur Radio Kids on the Air event, for youth 6-16 and youth at heart of any age. Other science activities planned as well including genetics and astronomy. Plus, two Foosball tables with free play and coaching available.

Birds of a Feather
2025-04-01 09:30 - 22:30 | Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, 28500 W Park Hwy, Ashland, NE, 68003, United States
Get ready to go birding by participating in the Birds of a Feather program at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s newly renovated James Family Conservatory and Nature Center.
This is a program for birders of all ages and levels. We introduce a different birding topic each session to begin the program. When weather permits, we will head outdoors for a hike or time in the birding area. The program runs approximately 60-90 minutes and is offered on select Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. on a monthly basis.
On April 1, participants will learn more about spring migration patterns and discover when and where to find migrating birds as the spring season begins!
This program is free but a 2025 park entry vehicle permit is required.

STEM: Build, Connect, Create
2025-04-01 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-01 18:30 - 19:30 | City of Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Avenue, Kearney, NE, 68847, United States
Let your imagination run wild as you explore the Kearney Public Library‘s collection of STEM toys, including KEVA Planks, Straws & Connectors, Snap Circuits, Magna-Tiles, and much more! For ages 5-14.
To reserve a spot, please log in with your library credentials. You may also book by phone or at your nearest library.

Little Saplings Nature Discovery Program
2025-04-02 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-04-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Schramm Education Center, 21502 West Highway 31, Gretna, NE, 68028, United States
Do you have a little one who loves animals, nature, and the outdoors? Are you looking for opportunities to explore the outdoors together with your children? Join us for Little Saplings, Schramm Education Center’s early childhood nature discovery program. Little Saplings, a monthly program designed for children ages 2 – 5 and their adult caregiver, will bring nature themes to life for your child through story time, sensory activities, crafts, and outdoor exploration!
The April theme is Rabbits.
Cost: $5 per child and $5 per adult per program and includes admission to the Education Center after the program. Schramm Family Pass members participate free. A State Park Vehicle Entry Permit is not required in the Schramm Education Center parking lot.

LEGOS at the Library
2025-04-03 15:45 - 16:45, 2025-04-17 15:45 - 16:45 | City of Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Avenue, Kearney, NE, 68847, United States
Join the Kearney Public Library for some brick-snapping fun! Come design and build your own creations. The library will provide the LEGOS, you just need to bring your imagination along. No registration is required for this event.

Science Sunday
2025-04-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Omaha RiverFront, 1001 Douglas Street, Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
Join the Nebraska Science Festival for Science Sunday from 1-2pm in April at the Omaha RiverFront, next to the slides. This is a free family friendly hour for you to learn about nature, astronomy, chemistry, medicine and more with hands-on science activities (while supplies last).
Science Sunday Activities:

April 6 – Tin Foil Watercolor Eggs

April 13 – Seed Bombs

April 27 – Make your own Constellation *we will be down by the Kiewit Luminarium at The RiverFront for ‘Earth Day at The RiverFront’ on this Sunday

Nerd Nite Omaha
2025-04-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Saro Cider Lounge, 1012 S 10th St., Omaha, NE, 68108, United States
Nerd Nite is grounded in this super nerdy, highly engaging, fun approach to learning. A Nerd Nite talk isn’t a lecture, a symposium, or a conference preso — it’s the slightly tipsy second cousin to those.

There are three awesome talks lined up for the April event:

Drug Discovery & Research by Dr. Corey Hopkins
NASA, Mars & the Secret to Life by John Beck-Hofmann
Inside NASA’s Social Media Revolution: My MAVEN Mission Experience by Margie Sturgeon

Science Sunday
2025-04-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Omaha RiverFront, 1001 Douglas Street, Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
Join the Nebraska Science Festival for Science Sunday from 1-2pm in April at the Omaha RiverFront. This is a free family friendly hour for you to learn about nature, astronomy, chemistry, medicine and more with hands-on science activities (while supplies last).
Science Sunday Activities:

April 6 – Tin Foil Watercolor Eggs

April 13 – Seed Bombs

April 27 – Make your own Constellation

Kennedy STEAM Family Night
2025-04-17 17:30 - 19:00 | Howard Kennedy Elementary Schoool, 2906 N 30th St., Omaha, NE, 68111, United States
Kennedy Elementary School is once again hosting a STEAM Family Night on Thursday, April 17, 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.

Skeletons on the Screen: Dr. Katie East
2025-04-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Saddlebrook Branch, 14850 Laurel Ave., Omaha, NE, 68116, United States
Join Dr. Katie East for an entertaining look into forensic anthropology on the screen to learn what forensic anthropologists actually do. Compare television, movies and real life. It may be entertaining when pop culture gets forensic anthropology wrong, but the consequences are more real than you think.
This is a free event for teens aged 13-19.
Registration is required and opens March 15. Call 402-444-5780 to register.

Skeletons on the Screen: Dr. Katie East
2025-04-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Milton R. Abrahams Branch, 5111 N. 90th St., Omaha, NE, 68134, United States
Join Dr. Katie East for an entertaining look into forensic anthropology on the screen to learn what forensic anthropologists actually do. Compare television, movies and real life. It may be entertaining when pop culture gets forensic anthropology wrong, but the consequences are more real than you think.
This is a free event for teens aged 13-19.

SCC Family Science Night
2025-04-25 17:30 - 20:00 | Southeast Community College Lincoln, 8800 O St., Lincoln, NE, 68520, United States
Spring into Science and celebrate Earth Day at a FREE event for families on Friday, April 25 at Southeast Community College Lincoln.
Come have fun with friends and family and learn about Science with exciting activities, great prizes and enjoy free food too!

Skeletons on the Screen: Dr. Katie East
2025-04-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Willa Cather Branch, 905 S. 44th St., Omaha, NE, 68105, United States

NE SciFest Social Media Trivia
2026-04-01 - 2026-04-30 | NE
Science is all around us so let’s have some virtual fun! Running every day through the festival we’re bringing back our NE SciFest Social Media Science Trivia.

Everyday we will be posting a trivia question (riddle, clue, etc.) on our social media pages related to science. All you need to do is respond with the answer.

Simply take or find a picture of the item in the clue and post it to Facebook (comments section) or Twitter (X) with the hashtag #nescifest.
