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.

NE SciFest Scientific Smore's Ice Cream
2022-04-01 - 2022-04-30 | eCreamery Ice Cream & Gelato, 5001 Underwood Ave, Omaha, NE, 68132, United States
Available all April, our new NE SciFest signature ice cream flavor from eCreamery: SCIENTIFIC SMORE’S!

Scientific Smore’s: Double Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Chocolate Chunks, Graham Crunch and Marshmallows.

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.

Mad Hatter Tea Party
2022-04-16 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

Fred G. Dale Planetarium at Wayne State College
2022-04-16 13:00 - 13:45, 2022-04-22 19:00 - 19:45, 2022-04-23 13:00 - 13:45, 2022-04-29 19:00 - 19:45, 2022-04-30 13:00 - 13:45 | Fred G. Dale Planetarium, Gulliver Dr., Wayne, NE, 68787, United States
Doors open 20 minutes prior to the start of a show. Planetarium shows generally include a tour of the current night sky, a view of the constellations, and a full-dome video. All shows last about 45 minutes.

April Schedule
Fridays: Planetarium show is at 7 p.m., and laser show is at 8 p.m.
Saturdays: Planetarium show is at 1 p.m., and laser show is at 2 p.m.

April 1, 7pm: Understanding the Large-Scale Structure of the Universe
April 2, 1pm: Understanding the Large-Scale Structure of the Universe
April 8, 7pm: Observational Astronomy
April 9, 1pm: Observational Astronomy
April 15, 7pm: A Universe of Mathematics
April 16, 1pm: A Universe of Mathematics
April 22, 7pm: A Tribute to Science Fiction
April 23, 1pm: A Tribute to Science Fiction
April 29, 7pm: Biology and the Universe
April 30, 1pm: Biology and the Universe

Third Tuesday Bird Outing
2022-04-19 08:00 - 10:00 | Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, 11700 SW 100th Street, Denton, NE, 68339, United States
The popular third Tuesday bird outing has returned for a new year. Join a knowledgeable bird guide on an outing around the accessible trails. Meet fellow birders and learn the birds of the prairie. Free admission.
We ask for on-line registration so we know who and how many are coming and so we can email any updated COVID or weather cancellation information. Binoculars will be available. Please watch our website for information on mask requirements. We look forward to birding with you again this year. Questions to 402-797-2301; scp@audubon.org.

Nebraska Nature Nerd Night: Fantastic Fungi
2022-04-19 19:00 - 20:00 | NE
Join us as we dive into the world of fungi, the organism so important it helps our world go round. We’ll hear from experts on what fun fungi can be found in Nebraska, and surprising reasons we should add fungi on our daily gratitude list.

This is a FREE event, but does require registration: Register Here
Remember- when registering you can submit your questions for our experts and, we’ll do our best to get those questions answered, and more, on the night of the event.

Nebraska Nature Nerd Night is a free, virtual series for curious adults, exploring the secrets and science of nature in Nebraska through storytelling and conversation. Join hosts and science educators from Nebraska Game & Parks at 7pm Central on the third Tuesday of every month, as we interview experts in the field about a variety of fascinating topics; from fungi, fish, turtles, and even wildlife diseases! We’ll dive deeper into the remarkable world of nature found in Nebraska by having lively conversations with real scientists, and by sharing and asking your questions with the experts.
Can’t attend a live event? Don’t worry, we have you covered. We will record each event and place it on our Game and Parks Education YouTube Channel the following day.

Homeschool Hike
2022-04-20 09:00 - 10:30 | Schramm Education Center, 21502 West Highway 31, Gretna, NE, 68028, United States
Schramm Park is launching a new nature exploration program geared towards homeschool families.
Each month, join an outdoor educator for a guided hike on the Schramm Park hiking trails. As we explore, we’ll ask questions, draw, observe, and make discoveries in nature. You’ll have the opportunity to observe local phenomena, plants, and animals while exploring concepts such as patterns, cause and effect, and structure and function.
REGISTER IN ADVANCE to reserve a spot: https://forms.gle/Vjg38GEqXHgGEkLFA. The cost to participate is $4 per child and $5 per adult per program. This includes admission to the Schramm Education Center after the program. Family pass members participate free. This program is recommended for ages 5 and up.
Participants should dress in season-appropriate layers and wear closed-toed shoes that can get dirty. Hats and water bottles are recommended. The day of the program, come to the Schramm Education Center and check in and pay at the front desk upon arrival.
No park permit is required in the center’s parking lot. For questions about the program, please contact Jen Ruyle, Outdoor Education Specialist, at 402-332-5022 or jennifer.ruyle@nebraska.gov.

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.

Legos at the Library
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.

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.

13th annual Richard B. Davis, MD, PhD, History of Medicine Lectureship
2022-04-22 12:00 - 13:00 | NE
Dr. Janet Gilsdorf will share stories based on her book, Continual Raving: A History of Meningitis and the People Who Conquered It, of how scientists across the 19th and 20th centuries defeated the deadly brain infection meningitis — not through flawless research, but through a series of serendipitous events, misplaced assumptions, and flawed conclusions. The result shows not just how a disease is vanquished, but how scientific accomplishment can sometimes occur where it is least expected.
Registration for Zoom is required.
Dr. Gilsdorf, an alum of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, is the Robert P. Kelch Research Professor Emerita in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan and an infectious diseases physician at C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she participates in the diagnosis and management of pediatric patients with complex infectious diseases, and in the clinical training of medical students, pediatric residents, and pediatric infectious diseases fellows. She has published over 100 articles of original research, most centering around the epidemiology, molecular characteristics, and pathogenesis of Haemophilus influenzae. She is a past president of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and received the PIDS Distinguished Physician award in 2012. In addition to her scientific writing, she is the author of Inside/Outside: A Physician’s Journey with Breast Cancer (U of Michigan Press), Ten Days (a novel from Kensington Books), and Continual Raving: The History of Meningitis And The People Who Conquered It (Oxford University Press). She has published several personal essays in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Emerging Infectious Diseases, Health Affairs, and The Examined Life. In 1999 she was awarded the Journal of Internal Medicine Award for Prose.

The Richard B. Davis, MD, PhD, History of Medicine Lectureship brings national experts to the UNMC campus to discuss the history of medicine, in support of special collections at the McGoogan Library, including rare books and works on the history of medicine. The lectureship is supported through an endowed fund given by the late Richard B. Davis, MD, PhD (1926-2010), faculty member at UNMC from 1969-1994 and professor emeritus of internal medicine at UNMC. Dr. Davis and his wife, Jean, provided support for this lectureship out of his long-standing interest in the history of medicine.

Earth Day Omaha
2022-04-23 11:00 - 18:00 | Elmwood Park, 802 S 60th St., Omaha, NE, 68106
Earth Day Omaha, currently in its 33rd year, is an annual event providing a showcase for the many charitable, scientific, and educational efforts advocating for sustainable environmental practices and lifestyles. Visit over 100 exhibitors and vendors to find out how area nonprofits, businesses, governmental organizations, community groups and schools are promoting sustainable practices, environmental protection, and resource conservation. For more information and for the developing event lineup check out EarthDayOmaha.org.

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.

STEM Career Fair
2022-04-30 10:00 - 14:00 | Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, 28210 W Park Hwy, Ashland, NE, 68003, United States
The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum invites you to join them at their annual STEM Career Fair.

This is your opportunity to talk to representatives from engineering and technology businesses, organizations, and firms.

Come learn about all of the STEM careers in your backyard.

Storybook Walk
2022-04-30 11:00 - 13:00 | Harmon Park Activity Center, 3100 5th Avenue, Kearney, NE, 68847, United States
Join us for our annual Storybook Walk with Kearney Park & Rec! As you walk through the park, you will enjoy a story combined with fun activities to get you moving. The walk will begin at the Harmon Park Activity Center. At the end of the walk, don’t forget to register for a chance to win a copy of the book! All ages. Free.

Sandhill Cranes Morning Blind Tour
2023-04-01 05:30 - 09:00 | Dusty Trails, 101 Halligan Dr., North Platte, NE, 69101, United States
Join Dusty Trails for their viewing blind, located on the beautiful North Platte River. It is the perfect place from which to witness the Sandhill Cranes as they roost in the shallow waters of the river in the early morning hours, awaiting the arrival of the sun.
Pick up location is the North Platte Visitor Center, 101 Halligan Drive. Tour lasts about three hours and thirty minutes.
The bus ride to the viewing blind is approximately 15-20 minutes.
There is approximately a 200-yard walk into and out of the viewing blind on natural, gently rolling terrain. Please wear appropriate shoes for walking on a grass/dirt path that can sometimes be damp.
A port-a-potty is available at the viewing blind.
The following rules must be followed in order to ensure the birds are not disturbed:

NO flash photography allowed
Camera’s must be silenced
Cellphones must be silenced
Digital screens must be dimmed or covered
Conversation in the blind must be minimal
Necessary conversation must be in whispers
Movement must be kept slow and kept to a minimum

Valentine Fish Hatchery Tours
2023-04-01 08:00 - 17:00 | Valentine Fish Hatchery, 90164 Hatchery Road, Valentine, NE, 69201, United States
Located in a pine-covered valley one mile east and one mile north of Valentine, the Valentine Fish Hatchery is one of five hatcheries in Nebraska. Spread over 700 acres, the hatchery handles millions of fish eggs annually (60 million walleye eggs, for example). Last year, lakes in Cherry County alone were stocked with some 675,000 fish. Visitors are welcome during normal working hours. The hatchery also houses largemouth bass and bluegill year round. These species are allowed to spawn naturally in the hatchery ponds, and fingerlings are collected for distribution in the fall.
Contact the hatchery in advance – 402-376-2244 – to schedule a tour of the facilities. The hatchery is open to the public during normal working hours.
Government Canyon, located on the north end of the property, offers a variety of opportunities for hikers, bikers, bird watchers and wildlife photographers.
