Upcoming Workshops & Special Events
SEPTEMBER
Tuesday, September 27th-Elephant Toothpaste demo
Program by announcement periodically throughout the day. Free with paid general admission.
Wednesday, September 28th-Mentos Geysers demo
Program by announcement periodically throughout the day. Free with paid general admission.
Friday, September 30th-Solar Scope for Fall Astronomy Day
Take a turn using our Celestron EclipSmart solar safe finder telescope which allows the scope to align to the sun without directly viewing it. Weather permitting, stay tuned to social media for updates regarding weather. Program by announcement periodically throughout the day. Limited access to scope based on participants. Free with paid general admission.
Friday, September 30th-Star Viewing Party for Fall Astronomy Day
Cancelled due to weather from hurricane Ian.
OCTOBER
Saturday, October 1st-Balloon science pop-up program for Balloons Around the World Day
Program by announcement periodically throughout the day. Free with paid general admission.
Sunday, October 2nd-World Architecture Day challenges and prizes demo
Program by announcement periodically throughout the day. Free with paid general admission.
Tuesday, October 4th-Sunday, October 9th- Space Explorers Pop-up Program
To Hands On! Discovery Center and beyond, for World Space Week. Try your hand at the Deep Impact Simulation challenge. Then, design and build a simple model spacecraft and complete a series of tests to ensure you are ready for launch. Can your spacecraft withstand the vibration of launch or the spin of navigating through space? (*This program may contain allergens such as wheat, corn, and traces of nuts.) FREE with general paid admission.
Saturday, October 8th-Alka Seltzer Rockets demo
Program by announcement periodically throughout the day. Free with paid general admission.
Wednesday, October 12th-Half-price Paleo Tour tickets for National Fossil Day
Saturday, October 15th-Carbon Dioxide Bag Pop demo
Program by announcement periodically throughout the day. Free with paid general admission.
Saturday, October 29th-Potato Launcher demo
Program by announcement periodically throughout the day. Free with paid general admission.
Friday, October 28th-Spooky Science pop-up program
Program by announcement periodically throughout the day. Free with paid general admission.
Saturday, October 29th-Owl Pellet Dissection, Morning Session-11am / Afternoon Session-3pm
Learn what owls eat as you dissect an owl pellet and reconstruct the skeleton found inside it. Materials fee of $6 per participant with reservation of pellet, $8 per participant day of dissection. Includes one small owl pellet (yours to keep) and access to dissection tools (must remain on site). Limited quantities available, while supplies last. To reserve your pellet and receive the discounted rate, please email reservations@visithandson.org no later than Tuesday, October 11th. Contains small parts not suitable for children under 3. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
NOVEMBER
Friday, November 4th-Scavenger Hunt activity begins
Self-guided activity. Free with paid general admission.
Monday, November 7th-Sensory Night, 4-6pm
This event is designed for children with sensory integration needs. Lighting and sound are adjusted as well as many other environmental elements. Hands On! will be closed to the public during this event. Sensory Nights are free, and space is very limited to ensure a consistent experience. Pre-registration is required by Thursday, November 3rd and includes immediately family only. Register on our website at visithandson.org.
Tuesday, November 8th-National STEM/STEAM Day challenges
Program by announcement periodically throughout the day. Free with paid general admission.
Thursday, November 17th- Guinness World Record Day
Did you know that Hands On! Discovery Center has a Guinness record holding Tesla Coil?!?! The world’s most powerful, musical bi-polar Tesla coil can be seen today only for $1 per person (with paid general admission) in honor of Guinness World Record Day. Children under 4 are free however they must share a seat with an adult.
In addition, try out some fun and silly record setting challenges to see how you compare to the record setters. Record setting challenges are FREE with general paid admission.
Wednesday, November 9th-Sharpie Tie Dye and Rainbow Milk demo
Program by announcement periodically throughout the day. Free with paid general admission.
Friday, November 11th-Flying Toilet Paper and Beach Balls demo
Program by announcement periodically throughout the day. Free with paid general admission.
Wednesday, November 16th-Table Trick Science pop-up program
Program by announcement periodically throughout the day. Free with paid general admission.
Saturday, November 26th-Pop-up Maker Space-11am-4pm
Join us and our array of supplies to make, craft, build, design, learn, DIY, and/or build anything you desire. We provide the materials and the tools, you provide the inspiration, creativity, and fun! Materials fee of $3 per participant, while supplies last.
DECEMBER
Saturday, December 17th –“Gingerbread” Houses, Polymer Snow, and Snow Dough-11am-2:30pm
Stop in anytime between 11am and 2:30pm to test your engineering skills by building your own graham cracker and candy “gingerbread” house. Then, make your own polymer snow and peppermint scented snow dough to take home. Children must be supervised at all times. (Contains food allergens and small parts not suitable for children under age 3.) Materials fee of $5 per person, while supplies last.
For more information about a specific workshop or program please contact: reservations@visithandson.org.
Workshop Guidelines – Please read carefully:
- Space is limited and varies based on the workshop.
- Payment in full and a completed registration form is required to secure place in workshop.
- A full refund will be provided if you cancel a minimum of two weeks in advance. If a cancellation is made less than two weeks in advance, any payments will not be refunded or transferred.
- Museum admission is an additional cost and is not included in any workshop fees.
- All attendees must be within the age ranges specified for each workshop. Proof of age may be requested. If staff has been misinformed of a child’s age, all fees paid will be forfeited and the attendee will be dismissed.
- All attendees must be fully toilet trained. Attendees not fully toilet trained will be dismissed.
- Hands On! reserves the right to cancel any workshop and fully refund payments in the event a workshop is cancelled based on low attendance/registration or unforeseen circumstances.
- Parents/guardians must sign each attendee in and out of the workshop.
- We are unable to accommodate early arrivals, or late pickups. Failure to comply with pick-up times may result in your attendee being unable to register for future workshops.
- Keep toys, books, and all other personal belongings at home. Hands On! is not responsible for lost/ stolen/ damaged items.
- To ensure a fun, effective, consistent, and safe experience, parents/guardians/siblings may not be present in the workshop, however, they are welcome to visit HODC during the duration of the workshop (General admission costs apply).
- We reserve the right to dismiss an attendee based on behavior issues, aggression, foul language, or failure to follow rules.
- All fees paid will be forfeited in the event of dismissal for any reason.
- Coupons and special offers are not applicable with any workshop fees.
