Nebraska Science Festival

BRICKLIVE Brickosaurs
2024-04-25 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-26 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-27 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-29 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.

StoryWalk®: “Dig In!”
2024-04-25 09:00 - 17:00 | Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha, NE, 68108
Take a stroll through the Lauritzen Gardens arboretum and explore all of the creepy, crawly, dirty, muddy, green, and growing things that can be found in the garden. Following along with the story “Dig In!” by Cindy Jenson-Elliott, your family can take part in some fun activities. StoryWalk® combines the love of reading with healthy, fun activities that fit the theme of the story to exercise your brain and body. Included with paid admission or with garden membership.

Mudpies
2024-04-25 09:30 - 11:00 | Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N., Bellevue, NE, 68005, United States
Looking for a unique setting in which to have fun with your child while learning about the natural world?
Mudpies is a structured program for children ages 3-5, at Fontenelle Forest, that encourages exploration of nature and interaction between a child and their caregiver. Each week, a natural science theme is explored through crafts, outdoor exploration, songs, stories, hikes and more! Each session will feature a different craft or activity, along with storytime and a guided hike. Come discover the joy of sharing nature with your child!
This program is for children ages 3-5 accompanied by a caregiver. Registration required.

Boys Town Hall of History Hands-On Weekly Activities
2024-04-25 10:00 - 16:30, 2024-04-26 10:00 - 16:30, 2024-04-27 10:00 - 16:30, 2024-04-28 11:00 - 16:00, 2024-04-29 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.

Pathways Through Nature
2024-04-25 18:30 - 20:00 | Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N., Bellevue, NE, 68005, United States
Journey into a deeper appreciation of nature with Fontenelle Forest’s new series, Pathways Through Nature! Bring your partner or some friends to this program, and embrace your inner naturalist as you explore a different topic at each session.
On April 25, we will be exploring Midwest’s Native Wildflowers.
April showers bring May flowers! The Forest and prairies are filled with wildflowers of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Come learn about the species you can see in Nebraska throughout the year and take some home to plant in your own garden.
This program is geared towards adults 18 and older. Registration required.

Open house at Engage Wellness
2024-04-26 09:00 - 15:00 | UNMC’s Engage Wellness Medical Fitness Center, 730 South 38th Avenue, Omaha, NE, 68105, United States
Operated by UNMC, Engage Wellness is a community-focused medical fitness center focused on whole-person wellness. We offer customized exercise programs, a welcoming community space for socialization, and educational opportunities for continuous learners. Stop in for a tour during our Open House on April 26, check out our programming and see how you can begin your journey into wellness at Engage Wellness.
Questions? Call us at 402-552-7210

Arbor Day TREE Giveaway
2024-04-26 09:00 - 17:00 | Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha, NE, 68108
Celebrate Arbor Day at Lauritzen Gardens by taking a walk through the arboretum or the woodland walk. The first 100 households will receive a FREE tree seedling.

StoryWalk®: “Feathers for Lunch”
2024-04-26 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-27 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-29 09:00 - 17:00 | Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha, NE, 68108
Take a stroll through the Lauritzen Gardens arboretum and read about the adventures and escapades of an escaped house cat who encounters twelve common birds in the backyard. Following along with the story “Feathers for Lunch” by Lois Ehlert, your family can take part in some fun activities. StoryWalk® combines the love of reading with healthy, fun activities that fit the theme of the story to exercise your brain and body. Included with paid admission or with garden membership.

Fred G. Dale Planetarium
2024-04-26 19:00 - 19:45, 2024-04-27 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 Shows:
Friday, April 5 – Eclipse Weekend!
7 p.m. Planetarium show – Eclipses and Phases of the Moon
8 p.m. Planetarium show – Eclipse Across America 2024
Saturday, April 6 – Eclipse Weekend!
1 p.m. Planetarium show – Eclipse Across America 2024
2 p.m. Planetarium show – Eclipses and Phases of the Moon
Sunday, April 7 – Eclipse Weekend!
1 p.m. Planetarium show – Eclipses and Phases of the Moon
2 p.m. Planetarium show – Eclipse Across America 2024
Friday, April 12
7 p.m. Planetarium show – Tales of the Mayan Skies
Saturday, April 13
1 p.m. Planetarium show – The Sky We Don’t See
Friday, April 19
7 p.m. Planetarium show – STARS
Saturday, April 20
1 p.m. Planetarium show – Astronaut
Friday, April 26 – Spring Season Final Weekend!
7 p.m. Planetarium show – Cosmic Colors
Saturday, April 27 – Spring Season Final Weekend!
1 p.m. Planetarium show – Oasis in Space

Earth Day Omaha
2024-04-27 11:00 - 18:00 | Elmwood Park, 6232 Pacific Street, Omaha, NE, 68106
One of America’s oldest, continually running environmental events, Earth Day Omaha will celebrate its 35th consecutive year on Saturday, April 27th, 2024. This year’s event will build on a long history of success as the region’s premier environmental event, reaching a local consumer base most interested in the environment and sustainability. Hosted in the center of the city at Elmwood Park, the event is free to the public and provides entertainment for all ages.
Earth Day Omaha is a longstanding spring tradition featuring over 100 green exhibitors, a multitude of family-friendly activities, hands-on demonstrations, educational displays, food & drink, and live music from top local bands.

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.

HABITAT HIKE
2024-04-27 14:00 - 16:00 | Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N., Bellevue, NE, 68005, United States
Explore Nebraska’s prairies, wetlands and forests at Fontenelle Forest’s Habitat Hikes! Join our naturalist educators on a guided hike through these different habitats and learn about each of these unique ecosystems!
The April Hike will be held on April 27 at the Nature Center.
The guided hike will be from 2:00-4:00 PM, traversing easy to moderate terrain.

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.

Breathe Easy: Respiratory Therapists and the Evolution of a Profession
2024-04-29 18:00 - 21:00 | Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater, 1340 Mike Fahey St., Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
Respiratory therapists are crucial members of the health care team whose work has only become more recognized since the COVID-19 pandemic. “Breathe Easy: Respiratory Therapists and the Evolution of a Profession,” 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. Email cahpevents@unmc.edu to RSVP.
