Education

Outreach Programs

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Science Night

Immerse Your Group in the World of Museums – Engaging, Interactive, and Customizable
HMNS Science Night offers a variety of engaging activities to explore the wonders of science. At the Make-It Stations, participants can engage in hands-on experiments like ink chromatography, measuring grains of salt to visualize geologic time, using acids and bases with indicator paper, creating shrink art with thermoplastic polymers, modeling the butterfly life cycle, marbling with shaving cream, exploring optical illusions, and studying patterns in nature with nautilus stamping.

For a more in-depth investigation, the Investigation Stations allow participants to delve into topics such as animal adaptations through bird beaks, the ubiquity of polymers in everyday life, the science behind shapes and logic puzzles, and the differences between venomous and poisonous plants and animals. Participants can interact with specimens, learn field safety, and gain a deeper understanding of these fascinating subjects.

Both the Make-It Stations and Investigation Stations require volunteers from the school or group, with materials and information provided by HMNS. It is recommended to plan for all participants to experience all activities, and attendance should include adults accompanying children.

Plan with us in three easy steps:

Step 1

Choose One or More of Our Outreach Programs

The Museum offers 6 different, science-based programs that each provide the opportunity to customize your Science Night to concepts from animal adaptations to chemistry.

Choose From:

  • ConocoPhillips Science on Stage
  • Wildlife on Wheels
  • Bugs on Wheels
  • Discovery Dome
  • Southwestern Energy Earth Science on Wheels
  • Science Start
Download Our Science Night Flyer

Step 2

Choose Your Activity Stations or a Docents to Go Program

We have two types of stations and our Docents to Go program available—each with multiple options! Choose a minimum of any two stations, a single Docents to Go program, or both! School or group must provide at least 2 volunteers per activity station and minimum of two 6-foot tables per activity station. Docents to Go does not require volunteers.

Make-It Stations ($100 per 100 participants)
These are hands-on crafting experiment-style stations in which each activity takes a few minutes.

  • Ink Chromatography
  • How Much Is A Million
  • Indicator Paper
  • Shrinking Plastic
  • Butterfly Life Cycle
  • Shaving Cream Marbling
  • Optical Illusions
  • Nautilus Stamping

Investigation Stations ($100 per hour, 2 hour minimum)
At these exhibit-style exploration stations, participants can see, touch and learn more about any of the science topics below.

  • Addition and Subtraction
  • Bird Beaks
  • Fractions
  • King Arthur’s Mathematics Quest
  • Polymers
  • Shape Science
  • Sound Science
  • Venomous vs. Poisonous

Docents to Go ($150 per 45-minute presentation)

  • Ancient Egypt
  • Authentic Africa
  • Birds
  • Insects
  • Native Americans
  • Oceans
  • Paleontology
  • Rocks and Minerals
  • Texas Wildlife

Step 3: Ready to Book?

A Reservation Coordinator will contact you within 3-5 business days to complete your booking request. The reservations office hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. excluding holidays. *Note: All Programs require a 3 week notice. Inquiries made within a 3 week time period may not be fulfilled. 

Filling out this form does not indicate your Outreach Program is scheduled, you will receive an email with your invoice attached once your Program is confirmed.

Ask a Question Download Our Science Night Flyer