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We’re Back in the Science Again!

Science Museum of Virginia Opens Science After Dark Events to the Public Starting in April

March 15, 2022

What:
The Science Museum of Virginia’s popular Friday evening Science After Dark events are open to the public next month after taking a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Science After Dark: Down to Earth will explore everything from soil to space to celebrate ways to keep our big blue marble happy.

When:
Science After Dark: Down to Earth is Friday, April 1 (no fooling!) from 5 to 8 p.m.

Who:
Science lovers of all ages are invited to explore the exhibitions, enjoy the planetarium and participate in various hands-on activities. Special programming includes:

  • Making seed spheres to plant wildflowers.
  • Watching worms work at the decomposition station to learn about composting.
  • Turning bottles into planters using recycled materials in The Forge.
  • Exploring the findings of the RVAir community science project studying air quality in Richmond neighborhoods.
  • Creating recycled bird feeders (guests 5 and younger).
  • Viewing a presentation on the Science on a Sphere®, a room-sized global display system that literally drops down from the ceiling.

In addition, STEM professionals from the Virginia Section of the American Chemical Society will be on site celebrating chemistry, nature and all things buggy with more than a dozen different hands-on experiment stations.

Guests can also enjoy live astronomy shows in The Dome at 6:30 and 7:15 p.m. No tickets are required. Each show is open to the first 250 guests.

Why:
The last Science After Dark open to the public was in February 2020. The Science Museum hosted three members-only Science After Dark events in early 2022 before opening them back up to the community.

“While the event takes place April 1, it’s no joke that we’ve missed being able to host these evening events and are excited to see community members continue to feel comfortable coming back into the Science Museum,” said Rich Conti, Chief Wonder Officer. “Kicking off Earth Month with a packed schedule of green-focused programming is the perfect way to get our community inspired to discover more about the science all around them.”

How:
Science After Dark admission is $15.50 for adults; $13.50 for youth (ages 6 – 12) and seniors (ages 60 and older) and $10 for children ages 3 – 5. Tickets may be purchased online or onsite.

Science After Dark is free for Science Museum members, children under 2, educators, military and college students with a valid ID.

Where:
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220