STEM-tastic! A Day of Explorations that Inspire Young Scientists

NSF's 75th Anniversary

Spark curiosity, fuel discovery, and dive into the ultimate STEM celebration at Children’s Museum Houston! On Saturday, May 10, 2025, we’re teaming up with Children’s Learning Institute at UTHealth Houston to bring you “STEM-tastic! A Day of Explorations that Inspire Young Scientists.”  This high-energy event marks the 75th anniversary of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Get hands-on with mind-blowing experiments, thrilling science shows, and interactive workshops designed to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. Take on the STEM Challenge Course, be amazed by live bubble performances, and explore jaw-dropping demonstrations—all while uncovering the power of science, technology, engineering, and math!

Plus, we’re shining a spotlight on NSF-funded projects that are making waves in early STEM learning, with a special focus on empowering girls in STEM.  Don’t miss this STEM-sational day of discovery!

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WHAT'S HAPPENING?

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STEM-TACULAR SCIENCE ACTIVITIES:

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STEM Challenge Course: Test your strength, speed, and science skills with activities like floating beach ball maneuvering, stomp rockets, marshmallow shooters and more, all while exploring the wonders of STEM!  

When: From 9 am to 5 pm on Ewing St.

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Toddler STEM Challenge Course: Designed just for our youngest visitors, this course includes age-appropriate activities to spark curiosity and fun while introducing them to the world of science!

When: From 9 am to 5 pm in Playscape

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Texas Bubblers – Science Touch Table: Explore the fascinating science of bubbles as you interact with bubble experiments and discover the magic behind these bubbly creations!

When: From 11:30 am to 4:30 pm in Tree Top

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WORKSHOPS THAT WOW:

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Teaching Together STEM

• 9:30 am: "What's the Big Idea?" - :This workshop will explore ways that young scientists and engineers ask questions that can be answered through exploration or other investigations.

• 11 am: "Math Rules" - This workshop will help families understand that "data" is everywhere and gathered each time they count, group, or compare.

• 1:30 pm: "Show What You Know" - This workshop encourages families to use counting, tables, graphs, and other forms of data collection to make meaning from their investigations.

• 3:30 pm: "Dream It, Build It" - This workshop encourages tinkering with objects to come up with creative solutions to problems.

Free STEM Books just for you!! Snag a free book while they last — first come, first served!

Where: In Celebrations Room

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A’STEAM Workshops

• 10 am: Rubber band Helicopters – Join us for some highflying fun, by making your own rubber band helicopter!

• 11:30 am: UV Constellations – Learn about and create your favorite constellations – those star patterns we all know and love. Then we’ll take them outside to see what our star, the Sun, does to your beads.

• 2 pm: Water Filtration – Take water from dirty to clean while learning about chemistry and the importance of clean water.  

• 3:30 pm: Elephant Toothpaste – Join us for this kid-friendly version of our classic Elephant Toothpaste experiment where YOU’RE the scientist creating the foam!

^{20 participants per workshop aged 7+; sign up at One World}

Where: One World

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BASF Lab: What’s That Reaction?:: Investigate physical and chemical changes by exploring various indicators of a chemical reaction

^{20 participants per workshop aged 7+; sign up at Power Science Lab}

When: At 10:30 am, 12:30, & 2:30 pm in Power Science Lab

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Picnic Science - Solar Science: Join us for a fun and interactive workshop where kids experiment with the power of the sun and learn its role in the food chain, from nourishing plants to supporting animals.

^{12 kids per session; signs up open 1-hour prior to start time.}

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SHOWS AND PERFORMANCES:

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Texas Bubblers – The Wonderful World of Bubbles STEM Show: Experience the magic of science with Shelly McBubbles as she wows the audience with incredible bubble tricks, teaches about the science behind bubbles, and even puts kids inside giant bubbles, all while exploring STEM concepts!

When: At 10 am in Brown Auditorium

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STEM-tastic Science Shows: Join our team of science educators as they host exciting performances throughout the day, showcasing the wonders of STEM in action!

When: From 9 am to 5 pm on Ewing St.

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Alley Theatre – The Brainstormers & Their Cosmic Mission: Meet the Brainstormers: Naomi, Ferguson and Willa – three Space City besties bound by their love of all things SCIENCE! In this brand-new action-packed play, the crew takes on their biggest challenge yet: a group project for science class. When ideas collide, these young thinkers must work together to solve their cosmic dilemma. Boosting STEM TEKS and executive functioning skills, this adventure is as thrilling as it is educational.  

When: At 1 pm and 3 pm in Brown Auditorium

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STUDENT-LED EXPLORATIONS:

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Edison Middle School Makers: Students from Edison Middle School will be showing off their amazing projects and teaching you how to create your own awesome versions! Come explore, experiment, and get inspired to build something cool!

When: From 9 to 11 am in Tree Top

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SCIENCE YOU CAN TASTE:

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Papabubble – Live Candy Making Demonstration & Giveaway: Watch the sweet science of candy-making as Papabubble Houston blends creativity and chemistry to create delicious treats right before your eyes!

When: At 2 pm in Kids' Hall

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CULTURAL CONNECTIONS THROUGH STEM:

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Petroglyphs: Explore ancient cultural tradition and how people have communicated about different scientific events by creating your own petroglyphs on clay.

When: From 10 am to Noon and 2 to 4 pm Outside of EcoStation‍

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‍‍Star Stories: Explore the star stories that helped humans use the night sky as a tool to navigate time, space, and culture

When: All Day in EcoStation

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Hurricanes Explore what a hurricane is and create & tell your own stories that involve science principles.

When: All Day in EcoStation

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Participating Program Partners:

• Children’s Learning Institute at UTHealth Houston

• The Health Museum

• UTHealth Houston School of Public Health

• UTHealth Houston Neurosciences

• Rice University Office of STEM Engagement