Nebraska Science Festival

Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting
2024-04-19 08:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | University of Nebraska East Campus Student Union, 1705 Arbor Drive, Lincoln, 68503, United States
The Nebraska Academy of Sciences will host its 134th Annual Meeting on April 19 at The University of Nebraska East Campus Union in Lincoln, NE. The meeting will be a HYBRID format with both in-person and remote-Zoom access for presentations and participation. This Meeting provides an excellent opportunity for students, faculty, and scientists to share their research results with peers and colleagues across Nebraska.
Please contact nebacad@unl.edu with questions and visit neacadsci.org for more information

BRICKLIVE Brickosaurs
2024-04-19 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-20 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-21 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-22 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-23 09:00 - 17:00 | 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!”
2024-04-19 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-20 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-21 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-22 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-04-23 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.

Boys Town Hall of History Hands-On Weekly Activities
2024-04-19 10:00 - 16:30, 2024-04-20 10:00 - 16:30, 2024-04-21 11:00 - 16:00, 2024-04-22 10:00 - 16:30, 2024-04-23 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.

Resilience: Film Screening & Discussion
2024-04-19 11:30 - 13:30 | BraveBe Child Advocacy Center, 5025 Garland Street, Lincoln, NE, 68504, United States
Adversity in childhood has lifelong effects on health and behavior. Resilience: the Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope chronicles the use of brain science to disrupt cycles of violence, addiction and disease. Learn more about treatment and prevention of childhood toxic stress and what is happening right here in Lincoln. Space is limited, registration is required.

Click the link below to preview the film:
https://kpjrfilms.co/resilience/

First Star Recycling Tour
2024-04-19 12:00 - 13:00 | First Star Recycling, 10330 “I” Street, Omaha, NE, 68127, United States
Join NE SciFest at First Star Recycling on April 19 at noon for a tour of Omaha’s leading recycling center.
First Star understands the importance and value of sustainable recycling practices and are passionate about making it easier and more economical for Nebraska and Iowa homeowners and businesses to manage their wastes.
As the leader in Omaha recycling, they are proud to help Nebraska and Iowa communities reduce their waste going to landfill and make the most from their wasted resources.
The tour will show the receiving area for residentially generated single stream recycling; sorting equipment; baling operations; inventory & storage for load accumulation; and shipping areas. We will also visit the shredding, cleaning, and lumber manufacturing equipment. While the tour shows equipment and processing operations, discussion will include waste stream impacts from recycling; need for materials to support a circular economy; and markets for materials we process.
Additional Info:

Tour is FREE, but registration is required. Space is limited.
No children under 8 permitted due to safety reasons.
Children over 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
Closed toe shoes must be worn.
Safety hats and goggles will be provided.

Fred G. Dale Planetarium
2024-04-19 19:00 - 19:45, 2024-04-20 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

Open House at the UNL Student Observatory
2024-04-19 21:00 - 23:00 | UNL Student Observatory, 625 Stadium Dr., Lincoln, NE, 68501, United States
See the stars, planets, and moon from UNL’s campus! Please note, the event might be canceled due to clouds and weather. Decision to cancel will be posted on the calendar by 3pm on Friday. Events will occur twice a month on Friday evenings. Lets hope for good weather!
Directions: Take the elevator or stairs to the top floor. Observatory is the large dome and shed at the south-west corner of the parking garage.

Fun with Fossils: Stomp Chomp Roar at Lauritzen Gardens
2024-04-20 12:00 - 15:00, 2024-04-21 12:00 - 2024-04-22 14:00 | 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.

The Science Club at Yates Illuminates
2024-04-20 13:30 - 16:30 | Yates Illuminates, 3260 Davenport Street, Omaha, NE, 68131, United States
The Science Club at Yates Illuminates will organize during April as a regular session of The Science Club (meeting every other Saturday) on April 6, and April 20, from 1:30 to 4:30. Youth 6-16 are welcome. Parents of youth under 11 must stay with the youth and contribute to learning and doing the activities. During this time enjoy solar powered hydrogen fuel cell model cars, programmable buildable robot cars, renewable energy sources buildable kits, basic electricity buildable kits, lego kits focusing on the Apollo, Space Shuttle, and Artemis rocket and moon landing ahead programs and much more.

Spring Wildflower Hike
2024-04-20 14:00 - 15:30 | Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N., Bellevue, NE, 68005, United States
Embrace the beauty of nature at Fontenelle Forest’s Spring Wildflower Hike!
Let their Naturalist Educators lead you through a one-mile hike on the Hackberry and Linden trail loop to discover the ephemeral treasures you can only see during spring at the Forest.
This hike will guide you to delicate blooms of Spring Beauties, the vibrant white petals of Bloodroot, the dainty charm of Dutchman’s Britches and the graceful allure of the Trout Lilly.
Learn about each flower’s unique characteristics, ecological roles and folklore.
Whether you are a seasoned enthusiast or a first-time curious explorer, the Spring Wildflower Hike offers a delightful opportunity to witness the fleeting beauty of spring and discover the hidden gems within our local ecosystem.
Registration required.

Lucky Bucket Brewing Tour
2024-04-20 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.

Earth Day at The RiverFront
2024-04-21 13:00 - 17:00 | The RiverFront, 900 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
Visit The RiverFront for a celebration of Earth Day!
Organizations from around the Omaha Community will be on hand to discuss their nature and sustainability practices. Step aboard one of Metro Transit’s electric buses parked in Lewis & Clark Landing to learn more about their impact. Then, head over to Heartland of America Park for an afternoon movie in the park, featuring The Lorax, beginning at 3 PM

STEM SUNDAYS
2024-04-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N., Bellevue, NE, 68005, United States
STEM Sundays is a bi-weekly program where families can explore STEM together amidst nature at Fontenelle Forest. Each session will provide hands-on activities, a theme-based hike, and a craft or take-home activity that will spark curiosity and foster collaboration.
Ignite a love for learning in the heart of the Forest every other Sunday!
Registration required.

Mudpies
2024-04-23 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.

PICTURE A SCIENTIST
2024-04-23 18:00 - 21:00 | Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater, 1340 Mike Fahey St., Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
Join Film Streams for their next Science on Screen film, PICTURE A SCIENTIST [filmstreams.org], on April 23. The film explores the experience of sexual harassment and gender inequality many women in STEM experience and the groundswell of researchers pushing back and making strides.

After the film there is a panel discussion with Tiffany Gamble, Dr. Robyn Moses, and Dr. Patricia Soto. They’ll share some of the challenges faced in their own careers and how they addressed them.

Throughout the academic year, Science on Screen® creatively pairs screenings of classic, cult, science fiction, and documentary films with lively discussion by notable experts from the world of science technology.
