Seasonal & Special Events

Celebrate Spring Break at the Institute of Science!

Daily April 1-5

Save the Cannon!

1-4pm

Help remove more than 200 years of corrosion as cannon discovered in the Detroit River in 2011 by Detroit Police divers and now part the collection of the Detroit Historical Society.

Spring Break Planetarium and Bat Shows

11:30-3:30pm

Special planetarium and bat shows will be offered at the institute of daily during Spring Break April 1-5. Tickets are $5 per program plus museum admission for the public, $4 per program for Members and $1 per program for children 2 and under.  Preview planetarium programming online.

Special Daily Events GOT SCIENCE?

MONDAY – APRIL 1 * ASTRONOMY DAY

Join members of the Warren Astronomical Society and Cranbrook astronomers for a tour through the universe. Planetarium shows, free tours of the newly renovated Cranbrook Observatory, make-n-take star charts, hands-on telescope use, meteorites and more await you on this fun-filled cosmic adventure.

TUESDAY – APRIL 2 * EARTH SCIENCE / PALEONTOLOGY DAY

Fossil Frenzy: Dinosaurs – Study real dinosaur bone slices and egg shell fragments under table top magnifiers to learn how fossil bones form and are preserved in the rock record. Then learn how rare fossils are molded to make casts and handle examples of teeth, claws, eggs and more from your favorite dinosaurs!

Mystery of the Mastodons – Observe real mastodon bones, teeth, tusks and casts along with associated plant fossils from southeast Michigan. Then evaluate some evidence – from ice cores in Greenland and Paleo-Indian artifacts to understand hypotheses regarding the extinction of mastodons and other large animals around 10,000 years ago.

Devonian Spring Break: Michigan – Analyze real rocks and fossils from the bedrock of Michigan and compare them with present day animals and sediments to infer what Spring Break was like in Michigan during the Devonian Period – 390 million years ago!

WEDNESDAY – APRIL 3 * PHYSICS DAY

Things that Fling - Explore how potential and kinetic energies are responsible for launching a projectile from a Trebuchet!  Make-and-take your own catapult to launch at home.

Forces and Motion - Examine the how and why of motion, including forces, velocity, momentum, and laws of motion by using a hovercraft and more as you explore Newton’s Laws of Motion with fun, hands-on experiments.

Sound - Explore how sound travels in waves and experiment with frequency by making music with our fun Boom-Thwackers.  Create a fun musical instrument using the principles of sound.

Simple Machines - Find out how simple machines can help us perform work as you manipulate our large props to make WORK easier for all.

THURSDAY – APRIL 4 * ANTHROPOLOGY DAY

Arts & Games Around the World – The idea is that we focus on five different games or art projects from different cultures on different continents around the world.

North America (Inuit) Sculptures - Inuit peoples have a long tradition of creating ivory and soapstone carvings. In the past typical subjects were animals (as hunting charms), while later other subjects were added. Actual samples of these sculptures will be displayed and visitors can create their own sculptures from clay.

South America (Shuar) Blowguns – Study the Institute’s collection of blow guns and try your hand at a related craft take-away. 

Australia (Aboriginal) Dreamtime Art - Australian Aboriginal peoples created paintings of animals and other images in a unique style to illustrate stories of their mythic past. These feature a unique style of artwork. Using light brown paper and finger paints, visitors can make their own pictures based on photos of actual art.

FRIDAY – APRIL 5 * EARTH DAY

SOCWA Compost Demonstration - All About Compost – Learn about “gardener’s gold” with the experts from Southeast Oakland County Water Authority. See real samples and find out how to make your own natural fertilizer.

MCPWO Recycling - Recycle This – Recycle Macomb County focuses on the importance of recycling in modern society. See examples of unique re-recycled products for your inspection and learn what you can recycle.

Raptor Meet & Greet; Auditorium Shows – 2:00 & 3:00 PM - Join bird expert Karen Young to learn about raptors with a live animal show in the auditorium at 2:00 and 3:00 PM. You will learn about these fascinating winged warriors and how they are an important part of the environment. Each show will last 20 minutes.

Plant milkweed for Monarch Butterflies - Monarch Butterflies – Discover monarch butterflies and how you can help conserve them with a Conservation Specialist from Monarch Watch. You can plant your own milkweed seed to take home for your garden!

Got Science? and Save the Cannon! are free with museum admission.