Tot Discovery Day
2024-04-19 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
TOT DISCOVERY DAY IS A MORNING OF HANDS-ON S.T.E.A.M ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES 1 TO 4 AND THEIR GROWN-UPS
Join us on Friday, April 19th for a morning of ocean-themed activities designed with Tots in mind!
We open an hour early, at 9:00am, to give you and your toddlers a full hour of big-kid free fun! Activities will be available until 12:00pm.
TOT DISCOVERY DAY PRICING:
EUGENE SCIENCE CENTER MEMBERS: FREE
NON-MEMBERS, AGES 1-61: $9.00 EACH
NON-MEMBERS, AGES 62+: $8.00 EACH
INFANTS 0-12 MONTHS: FREE

Earth Day Open House
2024-04-20 10:00 - 17:00 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Join us for a day of FREE admission!

Enjoy FREE admission to the Exhibit Hall and Planetarium shows during our Earth Day Open House.
Check out hands-on activities in the Community Room hosted by ESC Educators and Team Duckling.
Save big on Memberships during our in-person Earth Day Open House Sale.
Learn how to make a Morse Code Signaler with the Valley Radio Club.

ESC Educational Activities:

Plastic Sea Creatures – Bring in your recycled plastics to create something new and help save our oceans! For a special Shrinky dink project, make sure your plastic containers are #6!
Compost Containers – Bring in your empty metal coffee containers to be made into compost bins! Paint, collage, and decorate a home for your worm friends!
Wildflower Pollinator Seed Bombs – Sprinkle your wildflower pollinator seed bombs around Eugene – Made with homemade paper!

Earth Day Open House Membership Sale:

25% off all Household-level memberships
Only available in-person on April 20th during ESC’s Earth Day Open House
Sale prices only available for new memberships or renewals of previously expired memberships
Sale prices cannot be applied to extensions for current memberships

Valley Radio Club Morse Code Workshop:
In honor of Samuel Morse’s birthday on April 27th, the Valley Radio Club is hosting a Morse Code Workshop during our Open House! In this 90-minute workshop, participants will learn how to assemble their own Morse Code Signaler. No prior knowledge or experience necessary. All equipment will be provided on-site during the workshop, and upon workshop completion, participants will be able to take home their signaler.
Time: 11:00am-12:30pm
Recommended age: 4th – 8th grade
Occupancy: 15 participants maximum
Price: $10 to pre-register; $10 suggested donation for day-of enrollment (if available)
Pre-register here: https://eugenesciencecenter.square.site/product/morse-code-workshop-04-20-24-/596?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false

Meet A Scientist
2024-04-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Scientists are visiting Eugene Science Center! Meet scientists from our community, learn about their exciting research, and ask questions!
Join us on Sunday, April 28th to meet our Scientists of the Month: Julia Widom, Danielle Benoit, Rocky Penick, and Ally Kuznia!
Included with general admission, free for ESC members.
About this month’s scientists:
Julia Widom (she/her) grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and earned her B.A. in Chemistry from Northwestern University in 2009. She did her graduate work at the University of Oregon in the lab of Andy Marcus, earning her Ph.D. in 2013. Her research utilized fluorescence-detected multidimensional spectroscopy to study the conformations of porphyrins and nucleic acids. From 2014 to 2018, she worked as a postdoc in the lab of Nils Walter at the University of Michigan, where she used single-molecule fluorescence methods to study RNA folding. She returned to UO as a faculty member in the Physical Chemistry division in September, 2018. Her lab works at the interface of physical chemistry and molecular biology, using ultrafast and single-molecule spectroscopy to study RNA structure and dynamics. She is a member of the Oregon Center for Optical, Molecular and Quantum Science and an associate member of the Institute for Molecular Biology. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, hiking and baking fancy cakes.
Danielle Benoit – The Benoit Laboratory for Therapeutic Biomaterials specializes in the rational design of polymeric materials for regenerative medicine and drug delivery applications. Our work has provided insights into the translation of tissue engineering strategies for bone allograft repair, development of pH-responsive nanoparticles for nucleic acid and small molecule delivery, novel targeting strategies for bone-specific delivery of therapeutics, and, the focus here, development of microphysiological systems (MPS). Poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG)-based hydrogels can be engineered to control tissue morphogenesis, differentiation, and tissue evolution to develop MPS for mechanistic and drug screening studies. Leveraging these microenvironments together with unique microbubble array technology, we have developed salivary gland tissue mimetics (SGm) to identify novel drug candidates that protect the salivary gland from off-target effects of ionizing radiation. Additionally, we have exploited the knowledge gained from the SGm technology to develop a physiologically relevant model of the outer blood retina barrier (oBRB). Development of these MPS models will be a focus together with current experiments utilizing microfluidic chambers to enable co-integration of perfused vasculature and innervation to realize more robust tissue mimetics.
Rocky Penick (they/them) is a third year graduate student and doctoral candidate in the Institute of Neuroscience at the University of Oregon. Rocky was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and earned degrees in both Psychology and Biology from Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio. Rocky’s current research focuses on the auditory cortex. Rocky uses two-photon microscopy to take videos of fluorescent mouse brain cells in the auditory cortex while they communicate with each other. This research aims to answer questions like: In what patterns do groups of brain cells communicate? Do the patterns in which cells communicate change over time? How do these patterns change due to diseases of the brain, like Alzheimer’s Disease? How do these changing patterns affect the way that cells respond to stimuli, like sounds?
Ally Kuznia (she/her) received her B.S. in psychology from North Dakota State University in 2020 and is now a 4th year doctoral student at the University of Oregon in the UO Learning Lab. Ally is specifically interested in how babies learn words over time and is working on projects to understand how what infants see, hear, and do, in their everyday lives impacts what they learn and remember from their experiences. Outside the lab, Ally enjoys coaching figure skating with the Eugene Figure Skating Club and taking her dog on hikes all over Oregon.

Tot Discovery Day
2024-05-17 09:00 - 12:00 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
TOT DISCOVERY DAY IS A MORNING OF HANDS-ON S.T.E.A.M ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES 1 TO 4 AND THEIR GROWN-UPS
Join us on Friday, May 17th for a morning of physics-themed activities designed with Tots in mind!
We open an hour early, at 9:00am, to give you and your toddlers a full hour of big-kid free fun! Activities will be available until 12:00pm.
TOT DISCOVERY DAY PRICING:
EUGENE SCIENCE CENTER MEMBERS: FREE
NON-MEMBERS, AGES 1-61: $9.00 EACH
NON-MEMBERS, AGES 62+: $8.00 EACH
INFANTS 0-12 MONTHS: FREE

Meet A Scientist
2024-05-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Scientists are visiting Eugene Science Center! Meet scientists from our community, learn about their exciting research, and ask questions!
Join us on Monday, May 27th to meet our Scientists of the Month: David Wineland, Addy Pletcher, David Frey, and Tyler Guyer!
Included with general admission, free for ESC members.
About this month’s scientists:
David Wineland (he/him) received a B.A. degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1965 and a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1970. Following a postdoctoral position at the University of Washington in Seattle, he joined the Time and Frequency Division of NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) in Boulder, Colorado, from 1975 to 2018, where he was a group leader and NIST Fellow. He is now a Philip H. Knight Distinguished Research Chair and Research Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Oregon in Eugene, OR. Starting with graduate school, a long-term goal of his work has been to increase the precision of atomic spectroscopy, the measurement of the frequencies of atoms’ characteristic vibrations. This research has applications to making better atomic clocks and has led to experiments that enable precise control of atomic energy levels and atomic motion. Such control can be applied to metrology whose precision is limited only by the constraints of quantum mechanics and to demonstrations of the basic building blocks of a quantum computer. For this work, he shared the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physics with Serge Haroche, Collège de France, Paris.
Addy Pletcher (she/her) – Hi! I’m Addy Pletcher, currently a grad student at UO getting my M.S. in Geography. I focus on arctic lakes utilizing remote sensing (satellites!) to see changes in ice breakup. I love all things hydrology and have worked for both NASA and the National Parks Service doing so. Last summer I was able to travel to Alaska to help ground-truth a new satellite with lake elevation surveys & play around in some bogs, which I had lots of fun doing. I’m originally from Michigan and grew up on the Great Lakes – it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see how I landed in hydrology! Other things I love: science communication, advocating for diversity in STEM/outdoor spaces, and getting outside (in all its forms).
David Frey – Hi everyone! My name is David Frey and I’m currently a Bioengineering PhD student. I grew up in Atlanta where I worked on designing biomimetic tissue models and immunotherapies. Now I’m living life on the west coast, working with neural implants while leading my soccer league team to the top of the table.
Tyler Guyer – My name is Tyler Guyer, and I am currently a bioengineering PhD student. I grew up living on the Oregon coast and in central Oregon, I previously studied at Oregon State University, and I am now a student in my fourth year at University of Oregon, so I am a native Oregonian through and through! I am currently researching bone injuries and how they are affected by the immune system, with hopes of uncovering new ways to help human patients heal and thrive. I would love to talk with you about my research, my experiences as a student, or just about anything else!

Museum Open for Memorial Day
2024-05-27 10:00 - 17:00 | OR
Eugene Science Center will be open on Monday, May 27th from 10am-5pm with a full schedule of planetarium shows!

OBF Family: Planets, Myths, and Music
2024-07-06 10:00 - 12:30 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Join the Oregon Bach Festival at Eugene Science Center on Saturday, July 6th for a family-friendly “Planets, Myths, and Music” event ahead of their performance of Holst’s “The Planets.”
Learn more: Click Here!
From the Oregon Bach Festival:
Take a journey through space with Eugene Science Center and OBF. Embark on a self-guided scavenger hunt and experience a planetarium show during a morning of learning, exploration, and fun!

Holst: The Planets – An HD Odyssey
2024-07-07 13:00 - 17:00 | The Hult Center, 1 Eugene Center, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Join Eugene Science Center at the Hult Center on Sunday, July 7th during the Oregon Bach Festival’s performance of Holst’s “The Planets.”
Learn more and purchase tickets: Click Here!
From the Oregon Bach Festival:
A spectacular adventure through the cosmos! Projected in HD on a giant screen over the stage, the latest images from modern space – produced in cooperation with NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratories, and filmmaker Duncan Copp – provide a stunning visual canvas as the OBF orchestra performs Holst’s glorious musical score. The jolting rhythms, grand tunes, and eerie atmospheres have been the inspiration for sci-fi and adventure films since the late 1910s. The concert also includes Stravinsky’s beloved Symphony of Psalms.
Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms
Holst: The Planets—An HD Odyssey
OBF Chorus
University of Oregon Chamber Choir
OBF Modern Orchestra
Alevtina Ioffe, conductor

POSTPONED - Science Uncensored: Apollopalooza
2024-07-20 18:00 - 21:00 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Event Update:
We are sad to announce that Science Uncensored: Apollopalooza has been postponed due to unexpected last-minute staffing challenges.
This was a difficult decision and our team sincerely apologizes for the change of plans. We understand the importance of providing high quality STEM experiences to our community and want to make sure our events are top notch for those in attendance.
If you already have tickets, please check your email for more details on refunds or give us a call.
Thank you for your support and stay tuned for future announcements about upcoming events. We look forward to seeing you here at Eugene Science Center soon!
Science Uncensored: Apollopalooza
Saturday, July 20th, 2024 • Ages 21+ • 6:00pm-9:00pm
Food and planetarium ticket included!
Featuring:

Out-of-this-World Laser Shows and a Science Presentation in the Planetarium
Light refreshments – Enjoy light food options included with your ticket (Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten Free options available)
Drinks – Partake in two delicious adult beverages provided by Ninkasi Brewing, King Estate Winery, and Hop Valley Brewing Co. for $10 or enjoy a variety of non-alcoholic drinks included with your ticket!
Enjoy a kid-free Exhibit Hall – impress, challenge, and collaborate with your friends while exploring hands-on science
Exciting activities – Hands-on science demonstrations, community organizations, and telescope viewings

Special thanks to our Sponsors:

King Estate Winery

Ninkasi Brewing Co.

Hop Valley Brewing Co.

Meet our Community Vendors:

Eugene Astronomical Society

Activities:

Coming Soon!

Pricing:

$30 general admission
$40 general admission with two adult beverages
Eugene Science Center Members receive $5 off!

Ems Community Spotlight Night at PK Park
2024-08-14 18:30 - 23:30 | PK Park, 2800 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Join Eugene Science Center and the Eugene Emeralds at PK Park for our Community Spotlight Night!
August 14, 2024 | First pitch at 6:35pm | PK Park
Eugene Science Center staff will be at the game hosting fun hands-on activities for attendees to enjoy!

Tot Discovery Day
2024-10-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
TOT DISCOVERY DAY IS A MORNING OF HANDS-ON S.T.E.A.M ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES 1 TO 4 AND THEIR GROWN-UPS
Join us on Friday, October 18th for a morning of color-themed activities designed with Tots in mind!
We open an hour early, at 9:00am, to give you and your toddlers a full hour of big-kid free fun! Activities will be available until 12:00pm.
TOT DISCOVERY DAY PRICING:
EUGENE SCIENCE CENTER MEMBERS: FREE
NON-MEMBERS, AGES 1-61: $9.00 EACH
NON-MEMBERS, AGES 62+: $8.00 EACH
INFANTS 0-12 MONTHS: FREE

Spooky Science Spectacular!
2024-10-27 11:00 - 16:00 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Sunday, October 27th
11:00am – 4:00pm
Bring your whole family of mad scientists for a day of fun and spooky STEAM experiences, demonstrations, and laser shows!
Wearing a costume is encouraged!
Fun for all ages.
Price: $12 per person, $11 for Seniors, Free for Children ages 0-2.
Museums for All: Families with an EBT card receive half-off admission
FREE for all Eugene Science Center Members
Special Event pricing: please note no passes or coupons will be accepted

No School Day Workshop
2024-11-08 08:00 - 17:00 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Enjoy the day off from school with science fun! These workshops are offered to Kindergarten-5th grade students when local schools are closed. Our staff educators lead fun and engaging STEAM activities for students when school isn’t in session.

Museum Open for Veterans Day
2024-11-11 | OR
Eugene Science Center will be OPEN on Monday, November 11th. In honor of our nation’s veterans, all individual and families with a military ID will receive 20% off admissions to our exhibits and planetarium shows.

Tot Discovery Day
2024-11-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
TOT DISCOVERY DAY IS A MORNING OF HANDS-ON S.T.E.A.M ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES 1 TO 4 AND THEIR GROWN-UPS
Join us on Friday, November 15th for a morning of sensory-themed activities designed with Tots in mind!
We open an hour early, at 9:00am, to give you and your toddlers a full hour of big-kid free fun! Activities will be available until 12:00pm.
TOT DISCOVERY DAY PRICING:
EUGENE SCIENCE CENTER MEMBERS: FREE
NON-MEMBERS, AGES 1-61: $9.00 EACH
NON-MEMBERS, AGES 62+: $8.00 EACH
INFANTS 0-12 MONTHS: FREE

Nov 25 - No School Day Workshop
2024-11-25 09:00 - 15:30 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
SOLD OUT! Enjoy the day off from school with science fun! These workshops are offered to Kindergarten-5th grade students when local schools are closed. Our staff educators lead fun and engaging STEAM activities for students when school isn’t in session.

Nov 26 - No School Day Workshop
2024-11-26 09:00 - 15:30 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

Nov 28 - Closed for Thanksgiving
2024-11-28 | OR
Eugene Science Center will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 28th. Happy Thanksgiving!

Dec 23 - No School Day Workshop
2024-12-23 09:00 - 15:30 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

Dec 27 - No School Day Workshop
2024-12-27 09:00 - 15:30 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

Dec 30 - No School Day Workshop
2024-12-30 09:00 - 15:30 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

Midnight at Noon!
2024-12-31 10:00 - 13:00 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Can’t stay up ’til midnight on New Year’s Eve? You can still put on your dancing shoes and party during the day at Eugene Science Center! Join us for a family-friendly celebration of another orbit around the Sun.
Featuring:

Explosive science experiment at noon!
Laser Dance Party in the Planetarium following the experiment
Hands-on activities about the science of fireworks
Be sure to check out our schedule of planetarium shows running all day as well! (Additional charges apply.)

More details to come!

Museum Closed for New Year's Day
2025-01-01 | OR
Eugene Science Center will be CLOSED on Wednesday, January 1st. Happy New Years!

Jan 3 - No School Day Workshop
2025-01-03 09:00 - 15:30 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

Jan 6 - No School Day Workshop
2025-01-06 09:00 - 15:30 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

Concert Under the Stars: Travis Knapp
2025-01-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
Join us on January 11, 2025 at 6pm to celebrate Travis Knapp’s 5th studio album release!
A Travis Knapp show is full of audience singing, rich vocal harmonies, clawhammer banjo, joyful dance grooves, acoustic vibes, heartfelt stories, gardening tips, bicycle touring tales, sincerity, and inspiration to come to this life in a good way. His folk music pulls together personal and community growth with social justice and everyday spiritual practice.

Oakshire Inspires 2025
2025-01-15 17:00 - 19:00 | Oakshire Public House, 207 Madison St., Eugene, 97401, United States
Join us at Oakshire’s Eugene Public House (207 Madison Street) on January 15 from 5-7pm. $1 for every core pint sold will be donated to Eugene Science Center in support of its educational programs.

Tot Discovery Day
2025-01-17 09:00 - 12:00 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
TOT DISCOVERY DAY IS A MORNING OF HANDS-ON S.T.E.A.M ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AGES 1 TO 4 AND THEIR GROWN-UPS
Join us on Friday, January 17th for a morning of sensory-themed activities designed with Tots in mind!
We open an hour early, at 9:00am, to give you and your toddlers a full hour of big-kid free fun! Activities will be available until 12:00pm.
TOT DISCOVERY DAY PRICING:
EUGENE SCIENCE CENTER MEMBERS: FREE
NON-MEMBERS, AGES 1-61: $9.00 EACH
NON-MEMBERS, AGES 62+: $8.00 EACH
INFANTS 0-12 MONTHS: FREE

Jan 20 - No School Day Workshop
2025-01-20 09:00 - 15:30 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States

Feb 8 - Girls' Science Adventures
2025-02-08 09:00 - 12:00 | Eugene Science Center, 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene, OR, 97401, United States
We love engaging girls in STEM! Girls in grades 4-6 get pumped up about science during our series of Saturday workshops. Girls explore hands-on science with expert role models from University of Oregon’s Women in Graduate Science and other female mentors. Workshops take place at Eugene Science Center, University of Oregon, or at a special field trip location.
