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The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is proud to serve as the West Michigan Hub for Michigan State University’s Science Festival for the third consecutive year. Join the GRPM and the rest of the state in this science month celebration with activities and events hosted in West Michigan!
The Museum will host a variety of science activities for all ages, including a science Night at the Museum and a Statewide Astronomy Night! Entrance is FREE for these events.
The MSU Science Festival is a month of statewide events highlighting and celebrating the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). The MSU Science Festival features talks, demonstrations, tours, open houses, guest speakers, and hands-on activities for lifelong learners of all ages. The MSU Science Festival is proudly coordinated and produced by Michigan State University, working together with professionals and educators across the state to bring Michigan communities an opportunity to experience “Science Live!”
"We look forward to welcoming visitors at both the Museum and the Veen Observatory for these very special events," said Kate Moore, the Museum's VP of Marketing and PR. "As the West Michigan Hub for the Festival again this year, it is our honor to provide science to the community!"
On Friday, April 7, experience Statewide Astronomy Night at the Veen Observatory in nearby Lowell. Presented by the GRPM’s Chaffee Planetarium, there will be tours of the facility, hands-on activities and telescope demonstrations. Assisting with the event will be members of the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Association (GRAAA), who operate the observatory with support from the Museum. The observatory houses three large telescopes (including one that can be operated robotically), and portable telescopes will also be set up on the grounds for visitors to use. Special sky observations will take place from 8-11:30 p.m. to observe the moon, Jupiter and other sky objects. Telescopes will be weather dependent; all other activities will take place regardless.
On Tuesday, April 18, join the GRPM for Science Night at the Museum. From 5-8 p.m., visit the Museum for FREE to participate in science programming, using telescopes, digging for fossils, exploring with microscopes, learning about human diseases, seeing cooking demonstrations and using aquatic bugs to learn about water quality. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about graduate research being done in West Michigan. Scientist will be on-hand to talk about their research and its implications, as well as answer questions.
During Science Night at the Museum, visitors will be able to visit the Museum’s traveling exhibit, Creatures of Light, and see a planetarium show, with free shows at 6 and 7 p.m.
For more information on MSU’s Statewide Science Festival, please visit www.sciencefestival.msu.edu/. For information regarding Grand Rapids specific events please visit grpm.org.
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