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, 2025. 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 2025 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. Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects® with Lego Bricks at Lauritzen Gardens – Through May 18th
- BUILD a great garden adventure during Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects®: Made with LEGO® Bricks. 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, create brick-built works of your own, and leave with a deeper appreciation for the relationships and connections that sustain our ecosystems.
- Location: Lauritzen Gardens – 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha, NE
3. Sunday April 6th,13, 27th – 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 6 – Tin Foil Watercolor Eggs
- April 13 – Seed Bombs
- April 27 – Make your own Constellation
- Location: Omaha RiverFront – 1001 Douglas Street, Omaha, NE
4. Activities at Omaha Public Libraries – FREE
- Exciting activities include: (Some require advanced registration as space is limited.)
-
- Mar 29th – Swanson Branch
- Apr 5th – Sorensen Branch
- Apr 8th – Millard Branch
- Apr 11th – South Omaha Branch
- Apr 30th – Saddlebrook Branch
- May 24th – Elkhorn Branch
-
- Apr 12th – Abrahams Branch
- Apr 21st – Washington Branch
- Apr 26th – Downtown Branch
- May 17th – Elkhorn Branch
-
- Apr 18th – Saddlebrook Branch
- Apr 19th – Abrahams Branch
- Apr 26th – Willa Cather Branch
- May 6th – Elkhorn Branch
- Apr 12th – Author Visit: Geo Rutherford – Sorensen Branch [REGISTER]
-
5. April 4th – Night Skies at Lauritzen Gardens – 8:30pm-10:30pm – $20-30 [REGISTER]
- As the seasons shift, so does the sky. Join the Omaha Astronomical Society for a magical evening of stargazing at Lauritzen Gardens. Enjoy a tram ride to the rose garden, where you’ll view the gorgeous night sky through powerful telescopes. Observe distant deep-sky objects, planets, and the moon in the serene garden setting.
- These outdoor experiences require specific conditions for optimum viewing. In the event of inclement weather or unsuitable conditions for night sky viewing, the session may be rescheduled.
- Pre-registration is required at least one week in advance of the session.
- Location: Lauritzen Gardens – 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha, NE
6. April 5th – Return of the THUNDERBIRDS – 10:00am-3:00pm – $25-$40
- 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 5, 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
7. April 12th – 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
8. April 12th – Little Learners: Seasonal Science at Fontenelle Forest – 10:00am – 12:00 p.m. – $10-$25 [REGISTER]
- Looking to explore the seasons with your little learner? Join Fontenelle Forest for our new program learning what happens in the forest as the seasons change – Little Learners: Seasonal Science! We’ll discuss what animals do as the seasons change, and explore science stations focused on the spring or fall. Join us on a hike looking for spring shoots or falling leaves, and make your own seasonal craft to take home!
- This program is geared for young children ages 7 and under. Caregivers are required to stay for the program. Dress for the weather for our hike traversing easy terrain.
- This program is $10 for Members and $25 for Non-members.
- Location: Fontenelle Forest – 1111 Bellevue Blvd N, Bellevue, NE 68005
9. April 12th – Metropolitan Community College Science Day – 11:00am-3:00pm – FREE
- Stop by Metropolitan Community College (Nebraska) South Omaha Campus, Mahoney building, on April 12 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
10. April 15th – Raptor Trivia at Kros Strain – 6:30pm-8:00pm
- Join Fontenelle Forest for an evening of feathered fun during Raptor Trivia Night at Kros Strain in partnership with NE SciFest! This engaging and educational event will test your wits and give you the opportunity to see several of our educational raptor ambassadors up close. Get ready to put your raptor knowledge to the test with a thrilling trivia competition.
- Questions will cover a range of topics, from species identification and habitats to their incredible hunting techniques and conservation efforts. Prizes include raptor merch that you can only find at Fontenelle Forest!
- Location: Lauritzen Gardens – 100 Bancroft St, Omaha,NE 68108
11. April 17th – Kennedy STEAM Family Night – 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – FREE
- Kennedy Elementary School is once again hosting a STEAM Family Night on Thursday, April 17, 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
12. April 19th – 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
13. April 25th – SCC Family Science Night – 5:30-8:00 p.m. – FREE
- 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!
- Location: Southeast Community College Science Department – 8800 O St, Lincoln, NE 68520
14. April 26th – NE SciFest Public Expo – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – FREE (Ticket Required; space is limited)
- 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.
- Location: The Durham Museum – 801 S. 10th St., Omaha, NE.
15. April 26th – Nebraska Science Festival Star Party at Branched Oak Observatory – 9:00 p.m. – Free-$10
- 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!
- Admission: $10 Adults, $5 for children 5 to 15. Always FREE to local astronomers setting up their own telescope and sharing views with the public.
- 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!
