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Pop-in Program
Pop-in to the education center for fun, hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math) learning experiences for the whole family.
Pop-in Programs are offered on the first and last Saturdays of the month (with a few exceptions) from 1-5pm. See the monthly themes & schedule below!
Upcoming Pop-in Program themes:
February: Mapping a Prehistoric Earth
Two Saturday sessions: February 7 & 28 | 1-5 pm
World of the Permian: Mapping a Prehistoric Earth
Discover what Earth looked like more than 250 million years ago by exploring the geography of the Permian Period! This month’s Pop-In Program uses a STEAM-focused approach to investigate ancient continents, shifting oceans, and how Earth’s changing surface shaped the world of early life.
March: Extinction Through Time
Two Saturday sessions: March 7 & 28 | 1-5pm
Gone but Not Forgotten: Understanding Extinction Through Time
Discover how and why animals go extinct, and what fossils can teach us about life long ago. This month’s Pop-In Program uses a STEAM-focused approach to explore extinction events, changing environments, and how we can protect today’s threatened species.
April: Build a Book
Two Saturday sessions: April 4 & 25 | 1-5pm
Build a Book: Creating Stories From Page to Cover
Discover how books are made from start to finish! This month’s Pop-In Program uses a STEAM-focused approach to explore the art and science of bookmaking as kids learn how paper is created and how simple materials can be transformed into handmade books. Participants will watch a demonstration of paper-making using recycled materials and then construct their own books to take home.
May: Life Before Flowers
Two Saturday sessions: May 2 & May 30 | 1-5pm
Life Before Flowers: Permian Plants
Travel back more than 250 million years to explore the ancient plants that covered the Earth during the Permian Period! This month’s Pop-In Program uses a STEAM-focused approach to investigate early forests, towering tree ferns, cone-bearing plants, and the ecosystems they supported. Participants will discover how these prehistoric plants survived in changing climates and learn how scientists study fossilized plant material to uncover ancient landscapes.
August: Weather in a Prehistoric World
Two Saturday sessions: August 1 & 29 | 1-5pm
Permian Skies: Weather in a Prehistoric World
Explore what Earth’s weather was like more than 250 million years ago during the Permian Period! This month’s Pop-In Program uses a STEAM-focused approach to investigate ancient climates, shifting seasons, and how changing temperatures affected the plants and animals of the time. Participants will learn how scientists study rocks, fossils, and landscapes to understand past weather patterns.
September: Exploring the Night Sky
Two Saturday sessions: September 5 & 26 | 1-5pm
Galileo’s Gaze: Exploring the Night Sky
Discover how Galileo changed our understanding of the universe with one simple tool: the telescope! This month’s Pop-In Program uses a STEAM-focused approach to explore early astronomy, how telescopes work, and what Galileo saw when he first looked toward the heavens. Participants will learn about the Moon’s surface, Jupiter’s moons, and other celestial wonders that revealed a new view of our solar system.
October: Potion Power
One Saturday session: October 31 | 1-5pm
Potion Power: The Magic of Chemistry
This Halloween, enter a world of bubbling brews and mysterious mixtures as we uncover the real science behind classic potion-making! This month’s Pop-In Program uses a STEAM-focused approach to explore fizzy reactions, color-changing concoctions, and ingredients that behave in surprising ways. Participants will investigate the chemistry hidden inside spooky “witch’s brews” and magical transformations.
November: Pendulums! The Swing of Science
Two Saturday sessions: November 7 & 28 | 1-5pm
The Swing of Science: Exploring the Power of the Pendulum
Discover how a simple swinging weight helped scientists understand motion, time, and the forces that shape our world! This month’s Pop-In Program uses a STEAM-focused approach to explore how pendulums move, what affects their swing, and why Galileo’s observations changed science forever. Participants will test different pendulum designs and experiment with patterns and timing.
December: It's the Most Wonderful SLIME of the Year
One Saturday session: December 5 | 1-5pm
It’s the Most Wonderful Slime of the Year
Get ready to stretch, squish, and explore science! Kids will dive into the chemistry of polymers and cross-linking while creating their own colorful, sparkly slime—a non-Newtonian fluid that behaves like both a solid and a liquid. It’s messy, hands-on fun with a STEM twist!
Pop-in Programs are offered in both English and Spanish and are included with admission. No pre-registration is needed.
El programa se ofrece en español.
Pop-in Programs are proudly supported by Union Pacific.
