Educational Opportunities

Join us for National Fossil Day this year! Come see, touch, and learn all about Iowa’s fascinating paleontological past. We will discuss how fossils form and where to find them, and will have the chance make your very own!

Join us for a creepy crawly party, just in time for Halloween! Learn about critters that live underground, hunt for decomposers, meet live bugs, and enjoy a spooky snack. Halloween costumes are encouraged but not required!

Join a naturalist as we learn about these misunderstood creatures of the night. We will explore the truth about these animals. Do they really suck your blood, turn into vampires and fly into people’s hair? Come find out and meet a few of Iowa’s beneficial bat species.

6-8 grade girls are invited to a fun, late-night adventure at SCI! This evening event features hands-on activities, team challenges, a pizza party and the chance to meet local women from STEM fields. By the time they go home to bed, they'll be dreaming about how science can be a part of their future

Come visit Jester Park Nature Center’s resident turtles, snakes, and salamanders to learn about these misunderstood animals. You may even get to touch a turtle or snake. This is an open house program, so come anytime between 1-2:30.

Come learn all about asteroids, meteors, and meteorites! Plan to spend your time gazing up at the night sky for the Orionids meteor shower, as well as the moon and any stars out this night.

After a brief discussion around the campfire about these flying predators of the night, we’ll go for a hike and learn how to call three different species of owls.

Hair-raising experiments, bubbling potions and visual illusions abound during Spooky Science at the Science Center of Iowa! Grab your costume and join us on October 26 to trick-or-treat your way throughout the building and experience themed programming! Wear your costume and get $1 off admission!

Spiders are some of the most commonly feared and misunderstood creatures in this world. Discover how spiders are actually fascinating animals, including their unique adaptations and the important role they play in ecosystems. You will even get to meet the Jester Park Nature Center’s resident spider!

Street Survival is a teen safe-driving program designed to go beyond drivers' education and give teens the hands-on experience and tools to become smarter, safer drivers.

From Arithmetic to the Zoology, we've got A-Z STEM covered! Your invited to the DMACC-Ankeny/SC Hub STEM Festival. Exhibits feature hands-on activities and demonstrations. This family-friendly event is free, open to the public. Pre-register to be guaranteed a draw-string bag; walk-ins welcome.

Girls in grades 7–12 can apply for this unique event where they will meet female undergraduates studying for a degree in a STEM field as well as working female scientists. The dinner will feature a keynote speaker as well as group challenges that allow the girls to interact with STEM professionals.

The second Friday of each month from 5:00–8:00 pm, explore SCI with your family. Admission is just $5 per person! No need to grab dinner first... our Food Chain Cafe is open until 7:30 pm.