Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects®
2025-04-21 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-22 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-23 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-24 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-25 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-26 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-27 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-04-28 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) and 2 more dates | 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.

Incredible Edible Landfill
2025-04-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Charles B. Washington Branch, 2868 Ames Ave., Omaha, NE, 68111, United States
Have you ever wondered what happens once you throw something into the trash can? How important is recycling? Join the Omaha Public Library as they explore these issues in a fun (and tasty) way! Participants will use pudding, candy, cookies, cereal, and other tasty treats to create an edible landfill.
This program contains allergens such as wheat, milk, eggs, soy and tree nuts. However, the treat can be made without all the ingredients for children that still want to participate.
This is a free event for children ages 7-12. First come first served. Childcare groups and groups larger than 10, please call in advance.
Parents/caregivers must remain with their child(ren) for the duration of the program.

Omaha Science Cafe - "The Teenage Brain Today"
2025-04-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Slowdown, 729 N 14th St., Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
Join Giorgia Picci,Ph.D., the Susan & George Haddix Endowed Chair in Developmental Neuroscience in the Institute for Human Neuroscience at Boys Town National Research Hospital, for the April 22 Omaha Science Cafe as she presents, “The Teenage Brain,” 7pm at the Slowdown.
The teenage brain is built for change. Decades of research have shown that adolescence is one of the most dynamic periods of brain development. This rapid transformation is driven by a mix of biological and social factors, including pubertal hormones, shifting social dynamics, and the push toward independence. This interplay creates a developmental paradox—a window of both great opportunity and heightened vulnerability. In today’s world, added complexities like social media are reshaping the landscape of adolescence. Dr. Picci will unpack these topics and discuss how they may help explain the rising rates of mental health challenges in teens.
Science Cafés address science topics in casual settings like pubs and coffeehouses. The events are open to everyone (21 and older).
Using plain language, an easygoing atmosphere and inclusive conversation, these interactive events are welcoming and comfortable for people with no science background. Each presentation is followed by a question-and-answer period.

Science in Space at Mercury
2025-04-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Mercury, 329 S 16th St #3, Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
Launch into Mercury on April 23 at 7pm, to hear Anthony Galdamez, NASA Solar System Ambassador and program manager at Kiewit Luminarium for a night of science fun. Anthony,is a scientific astronaut candidate, is currently researching and studying Astro-botany for future space missions. Join him for a talk on his research, space training, and some audience participation, all while sipping a space themed cocktail from the master mixologists at Mercury.

Roots, Research and Resilience: Exploring the Future of the Nebraska Sandhills
2025-04-25 10:45 - 11:45 | UNL East Campus Union, 1705 Arbor Drive, Lincoln, NE, 68503, United States
Dr. Mary Ann Vinton will present “Roots, Research and Resilience: Exploring the Future of the Nebraska Sandhills,” for the 2025 Maiben Lecture at the Nebraska Academy of Sciences 2025 Annual Spring Meeting at the UNL East Campus Union. In her presentation, she will blend ideas from natural and social science to explore the status and future of the Nebraska Sandhills as one of the most intact grasslands in the world.
Dr. Mary Ann Vinton grew up as a member of a five-generation family of cattle ranchers in the Nebraska Sandhills. She did an undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of Wyoming, a MS at Kansas State University, and a PhD in Ecology at Colorado State University. She is now Professor of Biology and Director of Environmental Science at Creighton University in Omaha. Dr. Vinton teaches courses in biology, ecology, and environmental science. Her research program revolves around the ecosystem consequences of human impacts on plant communities, such as impacts wrought by invasive plants or the demise of once-common plants. Her research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, NASA-Nebraska Space Grant, and Nebraska Environmental Trust, and involves close mentoring of undergraduate research students. Recently, she has returned to the Sandhills to reconnect with her roots and study how landscapes are changing with management and climate. Dr. Vinton inherited a section of land on the Dismal River from her mother and “Kinkaided” by her great, great aunt, Mary Crouch. The section is known as the “Aunt Mary” and is surrounded by family. She has used the Aunt Mary as a study site for biodiversity work and analyses of the landscape diversity inherent in the wet meadows and dry dunes in the Sandhills. In talking with friends and family, Dr. Vinton has become interested in the factors that affect land management and how decisions and attitudes are often not based on science or economic optimization, but often involve feelings of obligation and connection, stemming from long relationships between one another and land.
Visit neacadsci.org for more information.

2025 Northeast Nebraska Extension Master Gardener Plant Fair and Market Vendors
2025-04-25 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-04-26 09:00 - 15:00 | Northeast Community College Agriculture Complex, 2301 E Benjamin Ave, Norfolk, NE, 68701, United States
Held at Northeast Community College, Chuck Pohlman Ag Complex is the 2025 Northeast Extension Master Gardener Plant Fair and Market Vendors.
Educational speakers will be present Friday and Saturday with proceeds from the fair helping to support educational speakers and horticulture scholarships to Northeast Community College.

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!

NE SciFest Public Expo
2025-04-26 09:00 - 12:00 | The Durham Museum, 801 S 10th Street, Omaha, NE, 68108
Join us at the 2025 Free Public Science Expo for fun and engaging hands-on learning opportunities for everyone, plus the KETV Weather team will be featured in The Stanley and Dorothy Truhlsen Lecture Hall at 10am and 11:30am for presentations , questions and autograph signing.
The free public expo on April 26 at The Durham Museum will be held from 9am to noon.
Free admission, but tickets required.

Free tickets available via eventbrite.

Earth Day Omaha 2025
2025-04-26 11:00 - 16:00 | Elmwood Park, 6232 Pacific Street, Omaha, NE, 68106
A celebration of our planet and a commitment to sustainability, Earth Day Omaha brings together community members, organizations, and businesses to showcase their dedication to the environment.

With a variety of educational exhibits, interactive activities, and informative presentations, attendees will learn about the importance of reducing waste, conserving energy, and preserving our natural resources. From local food trucks to environmental demos, Earth Day Omaha 2025 promises to be a fun-filled day for the whole family!

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
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.

Incredible Edible Landfill
2025-04-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Downtown Branch, 1401 Jones St., Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
Have you ever wondered what happens once you throw something into the trash can? How important is recycling? Join the Omaha Public Library as they explore these issues in a fun (and tasty) way! Participants will use pudding, candy, cookies, cereal, and other tasty treats to create an edible landfill.
This program contains allergens such as wheat, milk, eggs, soy and tree nuts. However, the treat can be made without all the ingredients for children that still want to participate.
This is a free event for children ages 7-12. Registration is required and opens April 1. Please call 402-444-4828 to register.
Parents/caregivers must remain in the building with their child(ren) for the duration of the program.

Nebraska Science Festival Star Party
2025-04-26 21:00 | Branched Oak Observatory, 14300 NW 98th St., Raymond, NE, 68428, United States
In collaboration with NE SciFest, we are pleased to host the Nebraska Science Festival Star Party! This event is for all lovers of space science and astronomy. On Saturday, April 26th, Branched Oak Observatory will open its doors and train its telescopes to the skies between the hours of 9PM and Midnight. 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.

Admission: $10 Adults, $5 for children 5 to 15. Always FREE to local astronomers setting up their own telesocpe and sharing views with the public.
No Registration
Open to Everyone
Arrive Anytime Between the Times Given
Stay for the Entire Event or As Long As You Want
No Park Permit Required

Earth Day at The RiverFront
2025-04-27 12:00 - 15:00 | The RiverFront, 900 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
Earth Day at The RiverFront will be a fun, Earth-friendly day of festivities along the Missouri River. Please join us along the RiverFront Promenade and at the Riverfront Plaza in Lewis and Clark Landing for information booths, sustainability activities, terra cotta pot painting, giveaways, a clothing drive, and live music. Scatter Joy Acres will bring animals for a petting zoo.
Science Sunday will move locations, from the slides to the plaza, to participate from 1-2pm in this event.

Science Sunday
2025-04-27 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

The Sounds of Science: Hearing Music Through Art and Science
2025-04-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Site-1 Brewing, 2566 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE, 68131, United States
Stop out to Site-1 Brewing on April 29 at 7pm to learn about “The Sounds of Science: Hearing Music Through Art and Science.”
Moderated by Dr. Allison Coffin, Associate Professor at Creighton University, panelists Dr. Chris Strecker, Director of the Technology Core and Spatial Hearing and Auditory Neuroscience Lab and Dr. A. Barron Breland, Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs & Dean of the Graduate School at Creighton University, will lead a discussion on how we perceive sound and hearing from the arts and science perspectives.

Speaker Bios:
Dr. Chris Stecker is the Director of the Technology Core and Spatial Hearing and Auditory Neuroscience Lab. Dr. Stecker has a bachelor’s degree in cognitive science and a doctorate in cognitive psychology. His current research focuses on using behavioral, computational, and neuroimaging (functional MRI) techniques to study how the brain processes spatial information.
Dr. A. Barron Breland is Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs & Dean of the Graduate School at Creighton University where he previously served as Chair of the Department of Fine & Performing Arts. He holds degrees in Music Theory and Choral Conducting from the University of Georgia and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He has arranged, conducted, and performed broadly and across genres. He is also the Artistic Director of the Heartland Mixed Chorus.
Dr. Allison Coffin is an Associate Professor at Creighton University. Her research examines the cellular mechanisms of hearing loss from diverse toxic insults (noise, ototoxic drugs) and works to develop preventative or restorative therapies. Current research seeks to identify occult hearing (oto) toxins and develop predictive models to determine ototoxic potential early in pre-clinical drug development. She is also the co-founder and President of the Association of Science Communicators, a professional organization that seeks to increase the impact of science in society.

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.
