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, Permian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs—and make it a night to remember!
Upcoming Speakers Series:
Friday, November 21, 2025
Dr. Suzanne Spencer-Wood of Oakland University
Women Who Rocked Science: How Reform Women’s Domestic Science Movements Transformed Western Culture from the 19th Century into the 20th Century
Dr. Spencer-Wood, Professor of Archaeology, will highlight pioneering women who brought scientific thinking into the domestic sphere. Among them is Christine Frederick, whose application of efficiency principles transformed the 20th-century kitchen. From the archaeological remains of a 19th-century general store and ornate garden décor to scientific testing of kitchen cabinets, discover the hidden contributions of women who truly shaped science.
Friday, December 19, 2025
Chad Munger of Mammoth Distilling & Dr. Eric Olsen of Michigan State University
Shipwreck to Sipping Whiskey: Lost Rye Genetically Revived by MSU and Mammoth Distilling
Join Chad Munger, Founder & CEO, and Dr. Eric Olsen, Associate Professor of Plant, Soil & Microbial Science, for a fascinating story of adventure, science, and fine spirits! They’ll reveal how rye seeds from the 1878 James R. Bentley cargo schooner wreck in Lake Huron were recovered—and how, 145 years later, each played a role in bringing those historic seeds back to life for whisky production.
Friday, January 16, 2026
Cameron Wood of Cranbrook Institute of Science
Blood, Sweat & Tears: Cultural Context of Filipino Arms & Armor from CIS Collections
Cameron Wood, Curator of Collections and Anthropology Education, will showcase rarely seen Filipino arms and armor from the Institute’s collection. Within the wood, steel, and fibers lies the story of the Philippines from the Highlands of Luzon to the Sulu Archipelago. Discover how these weapons were used, the cultural beliefs etched into their designs, the impact of Spanish and American colonialism, and how these martial traditions endure today.
February 20, 2026
Alexus Boone of Sidewalk Detroit
Eliza Howell Park: Revitalizing a Hiddeon 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!