Nebraska Science Festival

North Platte Hatchery
2026-04-15 08:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-17 08:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | 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.

Wings Over the Platte
2026-04-15 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-16 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-17 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
2026-04-15 10:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-16 10:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-17 10:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-19 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.

Owls & Old Fashioneds
2026-04-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Mercury, 329 S 16th St #3, Omaha, NE, 68102, United States
Do you love Owls? Do you love Old Fashioneds? Have you ever thought it would be fun to drink old fashioneds and talk about owls? Well, this is the event for you!

Join Fontenelle Forest as they bring some very special feathered guests to talk all things owls. Come see these glorious creatures up close and personal – just please no touching.
While learning and looking at owls, Mercury will provide three old fashioned samples, with one featuring bourbon aged with that oak from the forest. Samplers cost $15.
Tickets are required.

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North Platte Hatchery
2026-04-16 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.

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LEGOS at the Library
2026-04-16 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.
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Bio & Beers
2026-04-16 16:30 - 19:00 | Pint Nine Brewing Company, 10411 Portal Rd #104, LaVista, NE, 68128, United States
Join Bio Nebraska for a Bio & Beers Happy Hour event in La Vista.

Connect with professionals from across Nebraska’s bioscience industry at Pine Nine Brewing Company.
FREE for Bio Nebraska members and $25 non-members. Registration deadline is Monday, April 6, 2026.

Kennedy STEAM Night
2026-04-16 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 16, from 5:30-7pm featuring Robotics, Urban Gardening, Water Science, NASA Nebraska stations and more!
Come and enjoy awesome opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. Food, Fun and Family time for ALL.

Sharp-tailed grouse viewing at Niobrara State Park
2026-04-17 16:00 - 2026-04-19 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.
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Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour
2026-04-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant, 5600 10th St., Omaha, NE, 68137, United States
Come visit the Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Plant for a tour with Conservation Nebraska on April 17th from 6-8pm! The tour will provide an overview of the plant and highlight water conservation efforts.
There are no age requirements, but adults should accompany small children. People attending the tour are required to wear closed-toed shoes. Since the majority of the tour requires walking outdoors, please dress for all weather conditions.
Viewing most of the treatment process requires walking up stairs, some of which are difficult for those afraid of heights.
Please refer to the map in the comments section for parking instructions: If the front gate is closed upon arrival, please press the button on the call box (green circle on map) and staff will open the gate (red line). Then park in any available spot in the upper parking lot (orange rectangle). Enter through the double doors of the front office and let the secretary on duty know you are here for a tour.
Registration required.
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The Fred G. Dale Planetarium
2026-04-17 19:00 - 20:00 | 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.
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Defending the Dark – A Special Film Event at Branched Oak Observatory
2026-04-17 19:00 - 22:30 | Branched Oak Observatory, 14300 NW 98th St., Raymond, NE, 68428, United States
The night sky is one of humanity’s oldest shared treasures, yet for many people today the stars are slowly disappearing behind the glow of artificial light. In recognition of International Dark Sky Week, Branched Oak Observatory invites you to a special community screening of the powerful 30min documentary Defending the Dark on Friday, April 17th at 7:00 PM.

Directed by Tara Roberts Zabriskie, Defending the Dark explores the urgent need to protect our remaining dark skies. While the film highlights the unique night sky of northern Maine, its message reaches far beyond one region. Light pollution affects all of us, disrupting wildlife, harming migrating birds and pollinators, impacting human health, wasting energy, and robbing communities of the awe-inspiring beauty of the stars above.
This inspiring and informative film tells the story of people working to preserve some of the darkest skies east of the Rocky Mountains and reminds us that meaningful change can begin in our own backyards. Protecting the night is not just about saving the stars—it’s about protecting nature, science, and the well-being of future generations.

Following the film, weather permitting, the observatory will open for guided stargazing. Visitors will have the opportunity to step outside under the real night sky and explore beautiful deep-space wonders through our variety of telescopes—an unforgettable reminder of why dark skies matter.

Get your free tickets at https://kinema.com/events/Defending-the-Dark-bbd5ng

NE SciFest Public Expo
2026-04-18 09:00 - 12:00 | The Durham Museum, 801 S 10th Street, Omaha, NE, 68108
Join us at the 2026 Free Public Science Expo for fun and engaging hands-on learning opportunities for everyone.
The free public expo on April 18 at The Durham Museum will be held from 9am to noon.
Free admission, but tickets required.

Free tickets will be available on eventbrite on March 1.

Engineer Her Future
2026-04-18 09:00 - 13:30 | UNL Kiewit Hall, 1700 Vine St., Lincoln, NE, 68588, United States
Get ready to dive into the world of engineering and discover what the future holds for aspiring engineers!

Put on by the Society of Women Engineers at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, this event is for 8th grade students with any interest in pursuing STEM careers. Sign up and enjoy a fun day full of activities and explorations into engineering to help spark new interests!
Registration ends on April 10.

Wings Over the Platte
2026-04-18 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.
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Discovery Days at The Hall of History
2026-04-18 10:00 - 16:30 | 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.
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Solar Observing
2026-04-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Hastings Museum, 1330 N Burlington Ave., Hastings, NE, 68901, United States
Join the Hastings Museum for an opportunity to use our specially equipped telescope and safely look at the sun. Weather permitting, you’ll see the star at the center of our solar system in rich, rewarding detail.

It will take place on April 18 from 11:00 am-12:00 pm. No RSVP necessary. Simply check in at the front desk or meet on the museum front patio.
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Earth Day at Mulhalls
2026-04-18 11:00 - 14:00 | Mulhalls, 3615 N 120th Street, Omaha, NE, 68164, United States
Come join Mulhalls in the Greenhouse as they kick off the season and celebrate the planet with live music from local singer-songwriter Andre Vander Velde!

Enjoy delicious lunch options from Dante, cold-pressed juice from The Grove Juicery, and cool down with an ice cream cookie sandwich from Dairy Chef.

Find your favorite new threads from Great Plains Vintage.

Stop by to chat with some amazing community partners, including The Nature Conservancy, Hillside Solutions, Heron Haven, Whispering Roots, and Omaha Parks Foundation.

Spend the afternoon in the Greenhouse, connect with wonderful community partners, and see how fun it can be to care for our Earth. Let’s make a positive impact together!

The Fred G. Dale Planetarium
2026-04-18 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.
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Snacky Science
2026-04-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch, 2100 Reading Plz., Elkhorn, NE, 68022, United States
STEM has never been so sweet! In this hands-on program, kids will explore science and engineering using tasty treats as their tools. From building with snacks to experimenting with edible creations, learning is fun when you can eat your experiments at the end!
Allergy Alert: Candy will be used during this program. Ingredients may include or come into contact with common allergens such as milk, soy, wheat, nuts, or peanuts.
Parents/caregivers must remain with their child(ren) for the duration of the program and are encouraged to help younger children with the activity.
This is a free event for kids 6-10. Registration is required.
Please call 402-289-4367 to register.

Cooking Workshop with No More Empty Pots
2026-04-18 13:00 - 14:00 | W. Clarke Swanson Branch, 9101 W. Dodge Rd., Omaha, NE, 68114, United States
Come enjoy a cooking demonstration with No More Empty Pots to learn skills such as nutrition, teamwork, and food safety. The session will feature local, seasonal and garden fresh foods.
This free event is open to adults and children aged 5 and up. Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Registration is required. Please call 402-444-4852 or email sl-managers@omahalibrary.org to sign up. Please include your name, the number of participants you’d like to register, and your contact information.

Wings Over the Platte
2026-04-19 10:00 - 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.
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Science Sunday
2026-04-19 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 by the slides. 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 12 – Pi Bracelet Making

April 19 – Constellation Making

April 26 – Seed balls (please note we will be moving to the Lewis & Clark Landing for the Earth Day celebration on this day)

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Spring Wildflower Walk
2026-04-19 14:00 - 15:30 | Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd. N., Bellevue, NE, 68005, United States
Embrace the natural beauty of the Forest at Fontenelle Forest’s Spring Wildflower Walk. Their Naturalist Educator will lead you on a hike to discover some spring wildflowers such as Spring Beauties, Bloodroot, and Dutchman’s Breeches. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a first-time explorer of spring wildflowers, this program offers an opportunity to witness the fleeting beauty of spring.

This program is $10 for members and $25 for non-members (price includes daily admission). Pre-registration is required. Members must sign in to receive discount.
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