Science After Dark: Spooky Science
Get into the Halloween spirit with a night full of frighteningly fun STEM activities!
5–8 p.m.
Looking for a wicked-good way to spend a Friday night? We have plenty to experience from the world of poison, venom and toxins!
Spooky Science is already one of the most popular Science After Darks, but this year it’s even more frighteningly fun as we welcome The Power of Poison touring exhibition. Get into the Halloween spirit with a night full of shocking STEM activities. Grab your ghoul friends and trick-o’-treat yourself. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged!
- Head to the Creepy Crawly Room to touch a hissing cockroach, explore a worm-filled composting bin and hold a real snake skin. Plus, meet animals from our friends at Reptile Education of Virginia.
- Learn about poisonous plants—such as poison ivy, poison oak and poisonous trees—and ways to detect them.
- Sample a flavored bug in the Boost kitchen. Delicious!
- Younger guests can make a spider headband to get into the Halloween spirit.
- Get the details about poisonous and venomous creatures in the Animal Lab.
- Practice the scientific mounting of insect specimens to discover more about some of nature’s smaller dangers.
- Everything’s pumpkin-flavored in October—including our demo on chemical reactions!
Is this not bone-chilling enough for you? There’s more: lasers!
A Halloween-themed Laser Show will be showing in The Dome throughout the evening. Add it to your Science After Dark experience for $5!
We’ll also have community partners with us throughout this eerie evening offering hands-on activities, including:
- Virginia Section of the American Chemical Society
- My 3 Chambered Heart
- Richmond Astronomical Society
- Sierra Club
- Virginia Herpetological Society
- Virginia Master Naturalists
Admission
Science After Dark admission is $18.50 for adults, $15.50 for youth (ages 6–12) and seniors (ages 60 and older) and $11 for preschool-aged children (ages 3–5). Science After Dark admission is free for Science Museum members, children under 2 and college students with a valid ID.
Laser Shows in The Dome are available for a $5 add-on and will take place at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Shows are approximately 30 minutes in length. Tickets must be purchased on site the night of Science After Dark. Members may use a Dome pass. Please note: there are no assigned seats in The Dome. Guests with tickets may sit wherever they like.
Not a member? Explore the perks of becoming a member today!
Please Note
- We often take photos and videos of Science After Dark guests. Attending this event means guests in your party could be featured in materials used for marketing, promotional and fundraising purposes.
- We strive to create inclusive, relevant, meaningful and accessible experiences for all guests. For accommodation information, contact Guest Services at [email protected].
- For safety reasons, guests cannot arrive late or re-enter The Dome once a Laser Show has started. Before purchasing tickets, be sure all guests in your party are able to sit through the show without leaving. Guests who arrive late or leave during the performance will not be issued a refund.
- Laser Shows include bright, flashing colored beams of light. Lasers may not be suitable or cause discomfort for guests with light sensitivities, sensory concerns or certain pre-existing conditions. Please review our frequently asked questions for the full list of important information related to Laser Shows.
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