The Science of Design: A Mother’s Day Jewelry Workshop | Saturday, May 10 | 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Celebrate Mother’s Day with us on Saturday, May 10, with The Science of Design, a one-of-a-kind jewelry design workshop!

Experience the fusion of creativity, craftsmanship, and science as award-winning jeweler Matthew Gross of MHG Jewelry Studio unveils the science behind his designs. Discover his innovative approach to arranging shapes into visually striking patterns that transform the art of jewelry making.

Experiences at this creativity-fueled workshop include:

🎨 Artistic Arrangements: Experiment with basic shapes to create pleasing patterns

💎 A Rare Look: Explore exquisite jewelry and art objects from the Institute’s vault collection

💍 Design Direction: Learn practical jewelry design and artistic media techniques 

✨ A Treasure to Keep: Leave with a personally crafted pattern design as a special keepsake

☕ Refresh & Create: Enjoy light refreshments as you immerse yourself in the world of design 

💚 Enjoy FREE admission to the museum, including access to the Archimedes exhibit!

This event is recommended for designers ages 12 and up. Participants ages 12 to 17 must be accompanied by a registered adult chaperone throughout the entire workshop. 

Tickets to this exclusive event are $42.50 for members and $50.00 for non-members. Tickets are non-refundable. Pre-registration is required and will close on May 7, 2025. Registrations will be limited to 25 participants, so don’t wait! 

Orchid Island Exploration | Saturday, April 19 | 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Join us on Saturday, April 19, from 1:00 to 3:00pm for our Orchid Island Exploration Event! Step into the rich culture of Orchid Island and the Tao people in our newly unveiled exhibition.

This special event will celebrate the collection of artifacts such as models, tools, and cordage all curated by Dr. Richard Stamps, an esteemed archeologist who conducted fieldwork on Orchid Island in the mid-1970s. 

Experiences during this afternoon of discovery and cultural connection include: 

🎉 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Celebrate this new Institute collection and kick off the fun with an official ribbon cutting.

🎤 Keynote Presentation: Hear from Dr. Stamps as he shares firsthand accounts of his time on Orchid Island and insights into the Tao people’s culture.

🇹🇼 Cultural Activities: Engage with interactive and hands-on activities hosted by local Taiwanese organizations. 

✨ And much more! 

Experience a rare opportunity to explore an extraordinary collection, celebrate diverse cultures, and learn about histories from across the globe. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an anthropology buff, or simply a curious mind, this event will deepen your appreciation for the world around you and its rich heritage.

Orchid Island Exploration activities are FREE with purchase of general admission.

Crime Scene Science Investigation Evening Program | April 26, 2025 | 5:30pm to 9:00pm

We need your detective skills to crack the case! 🕵️

Join us for a mysterious evening of Crime Scene Science Investigation—an exclusive after-hours family experience on Saturday, April 26.

Enjoy a delicious pizza dinner before jumping into a staged crime scene and thrilling crime scene science investigation activities!

Mystifying experiences during this event include: 

🧠 Memory Workshop: Test your memorization skills and see if you have the mind of a detective

🩸 Blood Analysis: Uncover how the cells found in blood can be clues to help solve the case

☝️ Fingerprinting Forensics: Each fingerprint is unique—discover why that essential to forensic science 

🔍 Examining Evidence: Analyze clues and assess suspects with your team to see if you can identify the culprit

📡 Take-home Communicator: End your experience by taking home your very own secret message communicator!  

Doors open at 5:30pm for check-in and pizza dinner. The fun kicks off at 6:00pm and wraps up by 9:00pm. Children must remain under the supervision of an attending adult at all times.

Heads up, scouts! This program fully meets the requirements for the Junior Detective (Girl Scouts) and Bear Forensics (Cub Scouts) badges. 

Tickets are $42.50 for members and $50 for non-members. Registration closes Wednesday, April 16.

Space Science Overnight | Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 6:00pm to 8:00am



Channel your inner astronaut and embark on an out-of-this-world overnight adventure at our Space Science event on Saturday, May 3!🧑‍🚀

Fuel up with a delicious pizza dinner before embarking on an astronomical lineup of hands-on activities and intergalactic exploration. With so much celestial excitement, this space journey means pulling out the sleeping bags and spending the whole night at the Institute.

Space-themed experiences during this event include: 

🚀 Cosmic Crew: Discover the wonders of the night sky as you explore with an astronomer.

⚙️ Engineer Your Own Adventure: Dive into the science behind space engineering.

🌙 Moon Magic: Create your own moon phases - what will they look like?

☄️ Sky-High Artifacts: Get up close and hold a REAL meteorite.

⭐ Star Stories: Hear a surprising constellation tale.

🔭 Space Stroll: Take a stroll to learn the true distances between the planets and the Sun.

✨ A Tour of the Stars: Take a live-guided tour of the night sky at the Acheson Planetarium.

🪐 Our World and Beyond: Explore the wonders of the universe at Cranbrook Observatory. 

⚡ Electric Experience: Witness a hair-raising demonstration of a Tesla coil.

💡 Ancient Wonders: Uncover the secrets of our newest traveling exhibit, The Science of Archimedes. 

Programming for this overnight event will begin promptly at 6:00pm and will end at 8:00am on Sunday, May 4. Tickets are $85 for members and $100 for non-members. Children must remain under the supervision of an attending adult at all times. 

Attention to all scouts! This program can help fulfill some or all of the requirements for the following badges: Daisy Space Science Explorer, Brownie Space Science Adventurer, Junior Space Science Investigator, and Tiger Sky's the Limit.

Registration will close on Wednesday, April 23.

Unearth Alpena Fossil Dig | Members-Only | Saturday, May 17 | 5:30am to 6:30pm

Join us for an exclusive, members-only, day-long fossil hunting adventure with Cranbrook Institute of Science experts and award-winning paleontologist, author, and storyteller Paleo Joe!

Want to join in on the paleo-fun but not a member yet? Become one today! Explore membership levels here. 

Together, we’ll set off to Alpena, Michigan—an area once covered by prehistoric creatures and ecosystems—where you'll dig for fossils and learn the ins and outs of the field including: 

🤝 Site Etiquette: Learn the dos and don’ts of fossil hunting

🛠️ Tools of the Trade: Gain hands-on experience with the official tools

🦺 Safety Protocols: Stay safe in the field with essential guidelines for a successful dig.

🦴 Fossil Identification: Discover how to recognize and classify the prehistoric specimens you uncover.

⛏️ Excavation Techniques: Acquire the proper methods for extracting fossils without damaging them.

🗿 The Rich History of the Area: Uncover the fascinating past of Alpena 

🪨 Take-home Treasures: Take home any fossils you find during your expedition

At our last Fossil Dig, archaeology enthusiasts struck fossilized gold and uncovered fossilized shells, sponges, coral, and even a trilobite—each one a priceless keepsake they’ll get to cherish forever!

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, water, and snacks will be provided throughout the day, along with a fossil-collecting tool kit, commemorative bucket, and protective eyewear.

This fossil-filled experience is recommended for explorers ages 12 and up and will happen rain or shine. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets are $275 per member.

Catch the Summer Science Wave! | Summer Explore Camps 

Summer is almost here, and spots in our Explore Camps are filling up fast!

Only 100 spots remain—register now before they’re gone!

Give your child a summer to remember with hands-on science adventures, exciting activities, and thrilling discoveries. 

In a fun and safe environment, campers will explore popular science topics, spark curiosity, and build teamwork—creating unforgettable learning adventures.

Your curious camper will explore popular science topics in a unique and safe environment. Each camp is designed to spark curiosity and foster teamwork, providing young scientists with unforgettable learning adventures.

☀️Summer Break Explore Camp Dates: 

June 9 - 13 | June 16 - 20 | July 7 - 11 | July 14 - 18 | July 21 - 25 | July 28 - August 1 | August 4 - 8

Each week is different - sign up for one or multiple while spots remain! Summer Camps are designed for students in grades K-3, with limited dates for students in grades 3-5. 

Family Workshop Fun | Select Saturdays | 1:00pm to 3:00pm 



Embark on scientific journeys that the whole family will enjoy! 

Bring the whole family for engaging workshops filled with hands-on experiments and interactive science experiences that spark curiosity and create lasting memories for kids, parents, and grandparents alike!

Upcoming workshops include: 

✈️ Flying High | Saturday, April 5, 2025 

🐸 Down by the Pond | Saturday, May 3, 2025

Registration is required. Tickets are $17 for members and $20 for non-members. 

Traveling Exhibition | The Science of Archimedes | Open through June 1, 2025

Don’t miss your ‘turn’ to meet the mind behind the Archimedes Screw!

Time is running out—only two months remain before our traveling exhibition, The Science of Archimedes, closes on Sunday, June 1, 2025!

Step into the world of Archimedes of Syracuse, the ancient genius whose inventions revolutionized science and technology, paving the way for modern engineering marvels. This family-friendly exhibition showcases:

🏰 The Claw of Archimedes – A powerful weapon that used levers and pulleys to lift and capsize enemy warships, offering an early look at advanced physics.

🔩 The Archimedes Screw – A brilliant innovation in irrigation and water transport, still in use worldwide today.

🌀 Center of Mass – Archimedes' groundbreaking theory that set the stage for Newton’s second law of motion.

💧 Buoyancy – His famous principle that shaped fluid mechanics and continues to influence science today.

✨ And much more!

Explore Archimedes’ pioneering discoveries, uncover the role of innovation in Hellenistic warfare and society, and see how his ideas still impact our world today. Don’t miss this chance to experience the legacy of a true scientific visionary!

Don’t Forget! 

• Take learning beyond the classroom! Plan a field trip or classroom visit that turns your lessons into lasting memories and has your students’ curiosity shooting for the stars. Plan your visit!
• Our newly revamped membership levels are designed to keep the excitement going, offering unlimited opportunities to explore, discover, and ignite curiosity. Renew or become a member today! 
• Experience everything the museum has to offer for only $5 every Friday after 5:00pm! General admission and Acheson Planetarium tickets will be available for just $5 each. Learn more.  
• And during your next visit at the Institute, stop by our Science Shop and Reflections Café for apparel, books, souvenirs, and tasty snacks and beverages.

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