Family-friendly Discovery Days explore themed natural history topics through hands-on activities, engaging community partners, exhibit exploration, and more – all included with your general admission!

Discovery Days: Rock On!
June 13, 2026
11:00am – 3:00pm

Discover the wonderful world of rocks, minerals, fossils, and meteorites! Chat with local experts, try a hands-on activity, and browse our vendor tables to add to – or begin – your own mineral collection!

Community Partners
Michigan Mineralogical Society
American Institute of Professional Geologists – Wayne State University Chapter

Programs
Earth on the Move: Join an auditorium program about the forces that shape Earth processes.

Activities will include the following and more!

  • What’s My Rock?:  Bring in a favorite rock from home and have local experts share its story.
  • Mineral Gallery Scavenger Hunt: Track them all down and select a colorful mineral prize.
  • Identification Station: Test the tools geologists use for mineral identification.
  • Breaking Up: Investigate geodes with our geologist and then crack open your own (geode purchase required).
  • Space Rock Challenge: Can you separate the meteorites from the imposters?
  • Earthquake Proof: Build a home that can withstand an earthquake.
  • Minerals in our Cars: Match the unexpected ways that minerals are used in the construction of modern automobiles.
  • Fossil Process: Explore fossils with a hands-on activity.

Discovery Days: Water Wonderland
Saturday, July 18, 2026
11:00am – 3:00pm

Make a splash this summer! Dive into hands-on activities and experiments to discover all the ways water shapes our world, our culture, and our everyday lives.

Interactive activities include the following and more!

  • Mini Beasts in the Water: Meet the unexpected tiny creatures that live in our freshwater world.
  • Less and More: Use the warmth of your hands to investigate the principles of water contraction and expansion.
  • Great Lakes Cleanup: Design and build a device to remove garbage from our Great Lakes.
  • Pressure Everywhere: Experiment with bottles, bags, and more to explore water pressure. Be careful – you might get wet!
  • Caddisfly Creation: Explore the changing lives of Caddisflies and make your own to take home.

Discovery Days: Partial Solar Eclipse
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
11:00am – 3:00pm

Get ready to eclipse your expectations! Join us for hands-on fun as we watch a partial solar eclipse together.

Stay tuned for updates. Join our email list and more info will be radiating your way soon!