The Nebraska Science Festival is a multi-day celebration designed to make science fun for kids and adults alike. Enjoy a wide variety of events for all ages, including many with FREE or discounted admission!
The Nebraska Science Festival will be held April 1 – 30, 2024. Check out the schedule of events for talks and workshops offered throughout the month.
It is always a good idea to verify the event information as details may change.
Highlights of the 2024 NE Scifest Include:
1. NE SciFest Challenges – April 1 – 30 – FREE
- NE SciFest is challenging everyone in Nebraska to show their love of science, art, writing, and trivia.
2. Activities at Omaha Public Libraries – Mar 30th – Apr 30th – FREE
- Exciting activities include: (Some require advanced registration as space is limited.)
-
- Mar 30th – Abrahams Branch
- Apr 6th – Millard Branch
- Apr 10th – Benson Branch
- Apr 8th – Solar Eclipse Viewing – Millard Branch [REGISTER]
- Apr 6th – Ada Twist Scientist – Swanson Branch
-
3. April 1st – May 1st – StoryWalk®:“Dig In!” & “Feathers for Lunch” – 9:00am-5:00pm –
-
“Dig In!” April 1st – April 25th
- 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.
-
“Feathers for Lunch” April 26 – May 1st
- Take a stroll through the Lauritzen Gardens arboretum and read about the adventures and escapades of an escaped house cat who encounters twelve common birds in the backyard. Following along with the story “Feathers for Lunch” by Lois Ehlert, 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.
4. April 1-30th – Boys Town Hall of History Hands-On Weekly Activities – 10:00am-4:30pm (Mon-Sat), 11:00am-4:00pm (Sun)
- 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:
- 1st – 7th – Comic Book Station: Make your own comic book and take photo with our 6 ft 2 in Captain Marvel.
- 8th – 14th – Magnifying: Learn about and explore with different magnifying glasses and microscopes.
- 15th – 21st – Windmills: Learn about our windmill and make your own windmill.
- 22nd – 30th – Blueprints: Learn about blueprints, make your own blueprint and do Lego construction.
5. April 2nd – FLIP Fabrique: Blizzard – 7:00-9:00pm – $25-$40
- With Blizzard, FLIP Fabrique takes you on a crazy, poetic and gentle journey in the dead of winter, and invites you to lose yourself in a moment of complete wonder. With performers at the peak of their art and outstanding visual poetry, Blizzard promises to blow away everything in its path.
- Location: The Orpheum Theater – 409 S 16th St, Omaha, NE 68102
6. April 4th – Old Market Science Crawl – 5:30-7:00pm – FREE
- Join us for the inaugural Old Market Science Crawl for NE SciFest! Stop by any of the locations below between 5:30-7pm for tours, q&a’s, self guided fun and more. Venues offering tours will be at the following times 5:35pm, 6:20pm and 7pm. Tours last 20 minutes.
- Location: The Orpheum Theater – 409 S 16th St, Omaha, NE 68102
7. April 5th & 19th – Open House at the UNL Student Observatory – 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m – FREE
- 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.
- Location: UNL Student Observatory – 625 Stadium Dr., Lincoln, NE
8. April 7th – NE SciFest SUN-Day at Branched Oak Observatory – 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – FREE
- The Great American Eclipse of 2024 is almost here and you need to be prepared to safely view this incredible event. On SUN-Day April 7th, Branched Oak Observatory will be giving out FREE Solar Eclipse Glasses (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST). There will also be Solar Eclipse programming to teach about the “What,” “Where,” and “When” of April 8th’s incredible solar eclipse.
- While you visit the Observatory you will also get to do what you are always told what NOT to do… look at the Sun! With our special White Light and Hydrogen Alpha Telescopes, you will have a chance to see Sunspots, Solar Prominences, Granulation, Filaments, and so much more on the surface of our closest star… the Sun.
- Location: Branch Oak Observatory – 14300 NW 98th St., Raymond, NE
9. April 8th – The 2024 Great American Eclipse Viewing at Branched Oak Observatory – 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – FREE
- Some people go an entire lifetime and do not have a chance to see a single Solar Eclipse. Here in the United States, we have had the opportunity to see THREE spectacular solar eclipses within just a seven-year time period; the Total Solar Eclipse here in Nebraska in 2017, The Annular Eclipse (“Partial” in NE) in 2023, and this year another Total Solar Eclipse (“Partial” in NE) on April 8th.
- Although you can view the Partial Solar Eclipse anywhere in the state, we invite the community out to Branched Oak Observatory for a unique chance to see the eclipse “up close” through our amazing safe solar telescopes. Not only will you get to view the Partial Eclipse, you will see Sunspots, Solar Prominences, Granulation, Filaments, and so much more on the surface of our closest star.
- Location: Branch Oak Observatory – 14300 NW 98th St., Raymond, NE
10. Fridays April 7th – 28th – Science Sunday at Omaha RiverFront – 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – FREE
- 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, animals, medicine and more with hands-on science activities (while supplies last).
- Science Sunday Activities:
- April 7 – Milk the cow & homemade butter
- April 14 – Bouncy Balls
- April 21 – Seed Bombs
- April 28 – Nature Scavenger Hunt
- Location: Omaha RiverFront – 1001 Douglas Street, Omaha, NE
11. April 7th & 21st – 28th – Stem Sundays at Fontenelle Forest – 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. – $10-$18
- 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.
- Location: Fontenelle Forest – 1111 Bellevue Blvd N, Bellevue, NE 68005
12. April 13th – Return of the THUNDERBIRDS – 10:00am-3:00pm – FREE
- Join us at the Indian Center, Inc. in Lincoln for this cross-cultural community event celebrating the return of rain, thunder, spring, and bird migration on Saturday, April 13, 10:00 am-3:00 pm. This family-fun “something for everyone” event celebrates the time of year many Native peoples give thanks to the Thunder beings for providing rebirth with rain & thunder. It is also a time we celebrate the return of many migratory birds to Nebraska. So Audubon and the Indian Center are celebrating together with music, dance, food, arts, kids games and activities, and much much more.
- Location: Indian Center – 1100 Military Rd, Lincoln, NE 68508
13. April 18th – G. Stanley Hall Science Night: Free Community STEAM Event – 5:00-7:00 p.m. – FREE
- Join G.Stanley Hall for their inaugural Science Night on April 18. Hands-on stations throughout the school will include: Floaters and Sinkers (with fruit), Zoomeranges, Chromatography, Density cubs, Microscope guessing game, Bubble measuring, Robotics unit with Spheros and Keva Planks, Seed Distribution, aluminum boats, and Rotocopters will be set up for families to explore. Everyone attending will also have access to view the tomatospheres from their 6th grade science classes.
- Location: G Stanley Hall – 7600 S 72nd St, La Vista, NE 68128
14. April 19th – Resilience: Film Screening & Discussion – 11:30am-1:30pm – FREE [REGISTER]
- 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.
- Location: BraveBe Child Advocacy Center – 5025 Garland St, Lincoln, NE 68504
15. April 19th – First Star Recycling Tour (Ages 8+) – 12:00-1:00pm – FREE [REGISTER]
- 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.
- Location: First Star Recycling – 10330 I St, Omaha, NE 68127
16. April 20th – Lincoln Earth Day – 10:00am-2:00pm – FREE
- The Lincoln Earth Day Celebration is an annual celebration in Lincoln, Nebraska. The exciting community event has approximately 2,500 attendees annually and their Coalition wants you to join in the fun. There will be dozens of booths that all promote, educate, and celebrate environmental stewardship, green education, and sustainable living. Grab your friends, families and coworkers and join us for this year’s environmental education and family fun!
- Location: Nebraska Innovation Campus – 2021 Transformation Dr, Lincoln, NE 68508
17. April 20-22nd – Fun with Fossils: Stomp Chomp Roar at Lauritzen Gardens – $9-$15
- 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.
- Location: Lauritzen Gardens – 100 Bancroft St, Omaha, NE 68108
18. April 24th – Science Trivia at Legend Comics and Coffee – 7:00-9:00 p.m.
- Grab your thinking caps and join Dave and Champ for a wonderful night of science trivia on Wednesday, April 24 from 7pm-9pm at Legend Comics and Coffee. Categories include: Super Science, Weird Science, Silly Science and Social Science.
- Location: Legend Comics and Coffee – 6068 Maple St, Omaha, NE 68104
19. April 25th – Kennedy STEAM Night – 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – FREE
- Kennedy Elementary School is hosting a STEAM Night on Thursday, April 25, from 5:30-7pm featuring Robotics, Rockets, Hovercrafts, Fire Truck, Urban Gardening, 3D Pens, Water Science, Laser Cutting and more! Come and enjoy awesome opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. Food, Fun and Family time for ALL.
- Location: Howard Kennedy Elementary School – 2906 N 30th St, Omaha, NE 68111
20. April 26th – Arbor Day TREE Giveaway – 9:00am-5:00pm – $9-$15
- Celebrate Arbor Day at Lauritzen Gardens by taking a walk through the arboretum or the woodland walk. The first 100 households will receive a FREE tree seedling.
- Location: Lauritzen Gardens – 100 Bancroft St, Omaha, NE 68108
21. April 27th – NE SciFest Public Expo – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – FREE (Ticket Required; space is limited)
- Fun and engaging hands-on learning opportunities for everyone. The free public expo on April 27 at The Durham Museum will be held from 9am to noon. Free admission, though tickets are required.
- Location: The Durham Museum – 801 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE.
22. April 27th – Science of Ice Cream and Dry Ice – 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – FREE [REGISTER RSVP to [email protected]]
- eCreamery staff will conduct an informative presentation on the “Science of Ice Cream and Dry Ice.” Students will be given a small tour of the facility, a lesson on how ice cream is made, a brief history of ice cream, and the differences in density and composition between gelato, sorbet and ice cream. During the dry ice presentation, discover the chemistry of dry ice and explain density and dissipation.
- For children ages 12 and younger. RSVP to [email protected].
- Location: eCreamery Ice Cream & Gelato – 5001 Underwood Ave., Omaha, NE.
23. April 27th – Metropolitan Community College Science Day – 11:00am-3:00pm – FREE
- Stop by Metropolitan Community College (Nebraska) South Omaha Campus, Mahoney building, on April 27 from 11am until 3pm, for hands-on activities, which encompass a variety of science disciplines including physics, chemistry and biology. This event is free and open to all!
- Location: Metropolitan Community College – 2909 Edward Babe Gomez Ave, Omaha, NE 68107
24. April 27th – NE SciFest Star Party at Branched Oak Observatory – 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. – FREE
- This FREE event is for all lovers of space science and astronomy. On Saturday, April 27th, Branched Oak Observatory will open its doors and train its telescopes to the skies between the hours of 9PM and Midnight to 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!
- Location: Branch Oak Observatory – 14300 NW 98th St., Raymond, NE
Find many more fun activities during the Nebraska Science Festival here!
Find more April Fun:
Best April Events
Join our growing community and keep updated on Omaha family-friendly events and activities and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!