Public Programs
Explore science through exciting programs and events that include demonstrations, experiments, presentations, and hands-on themed activities. From talks and workshops, to Discovery Days and After Darks, we offer experiences for visitors of all ages.
We also offer camps during school breaks that inspire students and create memories that will last a lifetime.
You might also be interested in visiting our Nature Zone, where children can touch, observe, and learn about rocks, minerals, fossils, and more.
There’s always something to do at Cranbrook Institute of Science!
Discovery Days explore themed natural history topics through hands-on activities, engaging community partners, exhibit exploration, and more. These family-friendly activities are offered most months on select Saturdays. Discovery Days activities are included with your general admission!
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | 8:00pm - Thursday, August 13, 2026 | 2:00am
Grab your lawn chairs and blankets and celebrate summer against the backdrop of the Perseid Meteor peak!
Thursday, August 27, 2026 | 8:00pm - Friday, August 28, 2026 | 1:00am
Experience a partial lunar eclipse and eclipse-themed activities!
From Valentine's Day to Halloween, explore our 21+ events featuring food, drinks, and fun! Bring your partner, friends, or family to these after hours events and enjoy intriguing mini lectures, interactive activities, games, challenges and more.
Join us on select Sundays for our Ignite Your Curiosity talks, showcasing the groundbreaking work of local scientists and STEAM professionals who are making an impact in Metro Detroit and beyond. Fall 2026 talks will be announced soon!
The Acheson Planetarium, supported by the Michael and Adele Acheson family, at Cranbrook Institute of Science is an intimate theater that allows you to immersively explore and experience the universe in rich color and detail.
Watch a live bug feeding, discover the world of the dinosaurs, and experience the power of electricity!
Cranbrook Institute of Science’s on-site camps turn curious kids into scientists, offering hands-on experiments, STEAM challenges, dinosaur digs, planetarium shows, and more.
No plans for Winter or Spring Break? No problem! Dive into hands-on experiments, explore the cosmos, and discover the wonders of science at our Winter and Spring Break Camps—new adventures every day!
She LEADS STEAM Camp empowers girls in grades seven through nine to explore leadership and STEAM through exciting hands‑on activities, real‑world skill development, and mentorship from inspiring women in the field.