Every third Friday of the month | Doors open at 7:00pm
Ignite your curiosity—for just $5 general admission!
Join us every third Friday of the month for our new Ignite Your Curiosity Speaker Series Collection, showcasing the groundbreaking work of local scientists and STEAM professionals who are making an impact in Metro Detroit and beyond.
The series is intentionally scheduled during $5 Fridays after 5:00pm, when general admission is just $5—making science more accessible to all.
From hidden histories to groundbreaking environmental science, each fascinating talk invites you to see the world in a new way.
Seats are first come, first served. While the speaker series begins promptly at 7:30pm, we encourage you to arrive early to explore the Institute’s exhibits—including our newest traveling exhibit, Mystery of the Mayan Medallion—and make it a night to remember!
Upcoming Speakers Series:
February 20, 2026
Alexus Boone of Sidewalk Detroit
Eliza Howell Park: Revitalizing a Hidden Detroit Gem
Join Alexus Boone, Outdoor Strategist and advocate for environmental stewardship, as she highlights the revitalization of Eliza Howell Park—a 250-acre green space on Detroit’s west side. Discover how inclusive outdoor programs, eco-artist residencies, and hands-on stewardship workshops are educating and empowering diverse communities while fostering deeper community engagement.
March 20, 2026
Dr. Richard Stamps of Oakland University
Seeing what we really want to see, or seeing what is really there - the Michigan Relics
Dr. Richard Stamps, Professor of Archaeology Emeritus and Adjunct Curator of Archaeology at Cranbrook Institute of Science, will explore the mystery of the Michigan Relics—clay, slate, and copper artifacts unearthed between the 1890s and 1920s that once captivated the public and fueled fierce debate. He will trace how these objects were once thought to connect Michigan to the Lost Tribes of Israel, and reveal their ties to pseudoscience.
April 17, 2026
Matthew Gross of MHG Jewelry Studio
Taxco, Mexico: The Silver Jewelery Capital's Rich Legacy
Join Matthew Gross—jewelry designer, storyteller, and business owner—for an interactive journey into Taxco’s silver legacy. Explore how artisans in the “Silver Capital of the World” are blending modern style with traditional Mexican motifs, and discover how their work continues to shape the global arts and crafts scene.
May 15, 2026
Elizabeth Parkinson of Cranbrook Institute of Science
The Night Matters: Exploring the Impacts of Light Pollution
Explore emerging research on the environmental impacts of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) with Elizabeth Parkinson—National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow, 2025 Oakland County 40 Under 40 Honoree, and Head of the Freshwater Forum at Cranbrook Institute of Science. Learn how ALAN, one of the fastest-growing global pollutants, disrupts natural behaviors in wildlife and what ongoing efforts are underway to address its effects.
Don’t miss out! Seating is available on a first come, first served basis.
Mark your calendars and fuel your curiosity!