Nebraska Science Festival

Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects®
2025-04-30 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha, NE, 68108
BUILD a great garden adventure during Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects®: Made with LEGO® Bricks all month long at Lauritzen Gardens. This exhibit celebrates the beauty of nature but also emphasizes the delicate connections that exist between all living things. Marvel at 18 larger-than-life sculptures built from more than 275,000 LEGO® bricks, including a majestic monarch butterfly, a hovering hummingbird, a sly fox, and more! Ignite your imagination, make your own brick-built creations, and leave with a deeper appreciation for the relationships and connections that sustain our ecosystems.

Wonderful Worms
2025-04-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Saddlebrook Branch, 14850 Laurel Ave., Omaha, NE, 68116, United States
Help the Omaha Public Library celebrate slippery, slimy, wonderful worms! This special storytime will feature books and songs all about wiggly worms. At the conclusion of storytime, stay and observe real worms. If real worms make you squirm, don’t worry, worm-themed crafts will be available.
All supplies included. While supplies last.

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.

NE SciFest Scavenger Hunt
2026-04-01 - 2026-04-30 | NE
Let’s go outside and hunt for science!
Download the scavenger hunt (below) and go out and search for science. Ten quests await you – no matter where you live in Nebraska. You have all month long, April 1-30, to complete these tasks. Tag us on social media or email us and share your completed hunt!
NESciFest-Scavenger-Hunt-2026

NE SciFest Ice Cream
2026-04-01 - 2026-04-30 | eCreamery Ice Cream & Gelato, 5001 Underwood Ave, Omaha, NE, 68132, United States
Available in April – until pints run out, our new NE SciFest signature ice cream flavor from eCreamery: LUNAR LEMON.
Lunar Lemon: Lemon Cake Ice Cream, White Chocolate Chips, Graham Crunch and Raspberry Swirls.
Purchase a pint for science!

North Platte Hatchery
2026-04-01 08:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-02 08:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-03 08:00 - 16:30 | The North Platte Fish Hatchery, 444 E State Farm Rd., North Platte, NE, 69101, United States
The North Platte Hatchery is open to the public and tours may be scheduled during normal working hours. Hatchery information is on display at the hatch house.
The North Platte Fish Hatchery opened in 1943. The facility utilizes the adjacent Nebraska Public Power District irrigation canal to feed 43 earthen ponds, water that ultimately is returned to the canal after being used for fish production.
The North Platte Hatchery produces a variety of coolwater and warmwater fish species including regular production of walleye, white bass, blue catfish and channel catfish. On demand, the hatchery also produces yellow perch, black and white crappie, wiper, striped bass, bluegill, muskellunge, tiger muskie, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, sauger and saugeye. North Platte hatchery staff also makes annual collections of walleye and white bass eggs and milt from regional water bodies.
In addition to the hatchery, this property houses the Aquatic Conservation Facility where our team conducts mussel propagation research, as well as other aquatic work.
To prevent the spread of disease and reduce stress to fish, some areas of the facility may not be open to visitation. Contact the hatchery in advance to schedule a tour.

Little Saplings Nature Discovery Program
2026-04-01 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-04-01 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 series is held on the first Wednesday of every month from 9 – 10 am and 10 – 11 am. The cost to participate is $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. For questions about the program, please contact Jen Ruyle, Outdoor Education Specialist, at 402-332-5022 or jennifer.ruyle@nebraska.gov.

Wings Over the Platte
2026-04-01 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-02 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-03 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-04 09:00 - 17:00 | Stuhr Museum, 3133 West Highway 34, Grand Island, NE, 68801
Flowing across the heart of the Great Plains, the Platte River has long been a source of life, movement, and inspiration. Wings Over the Platte celebrates the landscapes, waterways, and wildlife that define this region through the vision of artists connected to the Platte River Valley.
From sweeping prairie horizons and ever-changing skies to intimate studies of plants, animals, and waterways, this juried exhibition captures the spirit of a place where nature and people have been intertwined for generations. Artwork in painting, photography, sculpture, and more invites visitors to experience the river not just as scenery, but as a living force that shapes Nebraska’s land, history, and community. Many works will also be available for purchase, offering a chance to take home a piece of the river’s story.
Join The Stuhr Museum in honoring the connection between art and nature, and the timeless role the Platte River plays in shaping both.

Discovery Days at The Hall of History
2026-04-01 10:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-02 10:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-03 10:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-04 10:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-05 11:00 - 16:00 | Boys Town Hall of History, 14057 Flanagan Blvd., Boys Town, NE, 68010, United States
Visit The Hall of History Museum at Boys Town, and explore their science stations.
Make your own comic books, design your own superhero outfit, learn about pottery, make a molding of a butterfly or dinosaur – to take home, and take a peek into microscopes and guess how much your brain weighs. Plus, don’t forget to stop by their “Brain Games” wall.

Free admission. The Hall of History is open Monday through Saturday from 10am until 4:30pm and on Sundays from 11am until 4pm.

On a Mission: The History of US Women Astronauts
2026-04-02 13:00 - 14:00 | Norfolk Public Library, 309 N 5th St., Norfolk, NE, 68701, United States
Join the Norfolk Public Library for an exhilarating journey through the history of US women astronauts with Valerie Neal, emerita curator from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and expert on human spaceflight.
Register for the live-stream event and submit questions for the author at https://libraryc.org/norfolknelibrary/145424.

LEGOS at the Library
2026-04-02 15:45 - 16:45 | City of Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Avenue, Kearney, NE, 68847, United States
Join The City of 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.

Sharp-tailed grouse viewing at Niobrara State Park
2026-04-03 16:00 - 2026-04-05 11:00 | Niobrara State Park, 89261 522 Ave, Niobrara, NE, 68760-6087, United States
Experience the natural wonder of the sharp-tailed grouse mating dance from a grouse viewing blind at Niobrara State Park! This sunrise ritual is an ancient and glorious display from one of Nebraska’s most famous grassland birds.
Reservations
Reserve the viewing blind (free of charge) any time between March 1 and May 1, with peak viewing between March 7 and April 20. The large trailer blind can hold up to 12 guests (up to 10 comfortably). In addition, there are two small pop-up blinds available upon request for those with bigger cameras and camera stands that won’t fit in the trailer blind. Blinds are first come, first serve by reservation only. Book your spots by calling the park office at 402-857-3373.
A 2026 state park vehicle permit is required for park entry.

How Do Astronomers Learn About Things That Are So Far Away?
2026-04-03 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-03 20:00 - 21:00 | The UNK Planetarium, 2401 11th Ave, Kearney, NE, 68849, United States
The University of Nebraska Kearney Planetarium is offering a free show to the public! Astronomers use large telescopes to study the Universe. However, space is so vast that even with the largest telescopes, planets, stars, and even galaxies can appear just as dots. Come learn about some of the techniques that astronomers use to learn so much from such small points of light in the sky.
Free tickets will be available to reserve at 8:00 AM CT on Friday 3/27.
Shows are recommended for engaged grade school students through adults. Shows are strongly discouraged for ages 2 and under. Please be prepared to turn off phones and smartwatches, remove lighted shoes, etc., so that all participants may enjoy the show in its intended dark, quiet environment. Please arrive 5 minutes before your show, or ticket reservations may be released to allow for walk-in attendees.
In conjunction with the show, the UNK Astronomy Club will provide telescope observing, outside of Bruner Hall, at 9:00 PM (weather permitting).

The Fred G. Dale Planetarium
2026-04-03 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-04 13:00 - 14:00 | 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 3
7 p.m. Planetarium show – Living Worlds
Whether earthly or alien, all life leaves a trace. Journey through space and time to discover how life makes Earth livable, where it could be found elsewhere in the cosmos, and what new technologies we might use to find it. Along the way, you’ll learn how light and color can help us spot other living worlds even from vast distances – and develop a new appreciation for the one-of-a-kind planet right beneath our feet. Narrated by Daveed Diggs.
Saturday, April 4
1 p.m. Planetarium show – STARS
Friday, April 10
7 p.m. Planetarium show – Liquidverse
Liquidverse invites you into an audiovisual symphony exploring the micro- and macro-scale of the universe. Contemplate the vastness of our galaxy, the tininess of microorganisms, and the kinship of all life in the universe through vibrant, abstract visuals and the sonic power of an orchestra, enveloping you in sound.
Saturday, April 11
1 p.m. Planetarium show – Edge of Darkness
Edge of Darkness features amazing scenes of places never before seen gathered by key space missions, culminating with groundbreaking discoveries in 2015. It features a spectacular flight though the great cliffs on comet 67P, a close look at the fascinating bright “lights” on Ceres, and the first ever close-ups of dwarf binary planet Pluto/Charon and its moons. Narrated by Hayley Atwell.
Friday, April 17 – Earth Day Celebration
7 p.m. Planetarium show – Dynamic Earth
8 p.m. Planetarium show – Living Worlds
Dynamic Earth explores the inner workings of Earth’s great life support system: the global climate. With visualizations based on satellite monitoring data and advanced supercomputer simulations, this cutting-edge production follows a trail of energy that flows from the Sun into the interlocking systems that shape our climate: the atmosphere, oceans, and the biosphere. Audiences will ride along on swirling ocean and wind currents, dive into the heart of a monster hurricane, come face-to-face with sharks and gigantic whales, and fly into roiling volcanoes. Narrated by Liam Neeson.
Saturday, April 18 – Earth Day Celebration
1 p.m. Planetarium show – Living Worlds
2 p.m. Planetarium show – Dynamic Earth
Friday, April 24
7 p.m. Planetarium show – Edge of Darkness
Saturday, April 25
1 p.m. Planetarium show – Tales of a Time Traveler
In Tales of a Time Traveler, you will discover that time is not so easily defined. Time is illusive, impossible to hold. It can’t be owned. It can’t be stopped. Time travel surrounds you – from the biological clock in your brain and the changing shadows on a sundial, to the history of life on Earth. Then the story expands to the lives of stars, the time scale of the Big Bang, and the distortion of time by gravity. Narrated by David Tennant.

Investigate Saturday Science Lab
2026-04-04 10:00 - 13:00 | University of Nebraska State Museum – Morrill Hall, 645 North 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68588
Investigate Saturday Science Lab is a monthly program coordinated by the Claire M. Hubbard Science Communication Interns at Morrill Hall. Each month the interns will provide a hands-on exploration of a new science topic. Activities for Investigate are always included with admission.
April – Climate Change
Explore how our climate is changing, and what we can do about it.
Date: Saturday, April 4
Time: 10am-1pm
Cost: Included with admission | Members get in Free

Lego After Lunch (Adults)
2026-04-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Norfolk Public Library, 309 N 5th St., Norfolk, NE, 68701, United States
Legos aren’t just for kids!
Come and join the Norfolk Public Library for an afternoon hour of creation and imagination, building with Legos. Bring your own set, or build with ones provided. Plus, have your creations displayed in the library afterwards.
No registration necessary. Ages 18+.

Saturday Night at Hyde Observatory
2026-04-04 20:15 - 23:00 | Hyde Memorial Observatory at Holmes Park, 3701 S 70th St., Lincoln, NE, 68506, United States
Head out to the Hyde Observatory on Saturday April 4th from Sundown to 11pm. Programs include: Juno at Jupiter, Lincoln’s Spring Sky and Astro Shorts (astronomy news).
Make sure to call or check online to make sure the observatory is open, as it does close due to obstructing weather/sky conditions.

The Science Club at Yates Illuminates
2026-04-05 14:00 - 17:00 | Yates Illuminates, 3260 Davenport Street, Omaha, NE, 68131, United States
The Science Club is back at Yates Illuminates!

Free and open to youth ages 4–16, this is a space to explore, build, experiment, and learn together. Sessions take place on select Sundays this spring, with a couple of special Saturday dates added in.

If you have a young inventor at home, you can have them join by emailing Marie Helene at mhandre@yatesilluminates.org with subject (Science Club sign up), names of parents/guardians, plus names and ages of youths participating.

April Dates
4/5 (confirm when signing up)
4/12
4/25
