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Our Experiences > Public Programming

Public Programming

In addition to the nine exciting permanent galleries at the Center, Liberty Science Center offers engaging traveling exhibitions, the nation's largest IMAX Dome Theater, and plenty of special weekend events. Science comes to life daily through Live Science demonstrations with plenty of audience participation throughout the building. Guests should visit the Welcome Desk upon arrival for the daily schedule. Please note, all events below are subject to change. Special costs and age restrictions will be listed below.


Hubble Premiere -- IMAX Dome Theater

Saturday, March 20
See the NJ-NY- area IMAX Dome Theater premiere of the new film, Hubble. Perhaps the most important scientific tool since Galileo invented the first telescope, the Hubble Space Telescope produces images of objects that are astonishingly beautiful and often deeply mysterious, located up to 13 billion light years away from Earth. Seen on the nation’s largest IMAX Dome screen, 88 feet in diameter, they are positively mind-boggling.

One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure  

Sunday, March 21
One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure begins on Sesame Street when Elmo's friend, Hu Hu Zhu, visits from China. Big Bird, Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu take viewers on an exciting discovery of the sun, moon, and stars. They also learn about the Big Dipper and the North Star. Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu then take an imaginary trip to the Moon where they learn that the Moon is a very different place from the Earth. When they imagine themselves back on Earth, they celebrate the idea that even though they live in two different countries, they still share the same sky. They even pick the North Star as their friendship star to always remind them of their shared joy of looking up at the sky together. Made possible by the Sesame Street Workshop and the National Science Foundation. Times: 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm; Ages: Recommended for ages 4-6 with adults; Cost: $3.00 child/$4.00 adult

BASF Kids Lab 

Saturday, March 27
If your family likes to learn together and is curious about what causes "stuff" to be, well, stuff, sign them up for the BASF Kids Lab. Designed for families with children ages 6-12, the BASF Kids Lab offers a variety of fun, hands-on experiments. Come enjoy leanring about new concepts and ideas related to chemistry! Space is limited, please call 201.253.1310 to reserve your spot today. Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Cost: $5.00 per person.

Ocean Weekend Featuring the Banana Slug String Band

Saturday - Sunday, March 27-28
Thinking ahead to summer fun down the shore? Oceans offer much more than surf and sand! Discover amazing new facts and fun about the ocean as Liberty Science Center and Rutgers University present an all-new Ocean Weekend. Activities offered throughout the building include a variety of fresh and saltwater experiments, Beach Bucket investigations of what can be found on a beach (both good and bad!), and exploring movements of ocean currents with hands-on experiments and on the amazing Global Microscope. Guests can also learn about fish with a special game and make paper fish to take home. Finally, don't miss a sea-exploring submersible robot -- and learn about its recent historic cross-Atlantic mission! Suitable for all ages. Activities free with paid admission. 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

March 28 -- One Day Only!  -- The Banana Slug String Band
It's time for science, song and celebration! Direct from California and at Liberty Science Center for one day only, the nationally-beloved Banana Slug String Band is premiering its new CD in the Joseph D. Williams Science Theater. Families can sing, dance and laugh along to the band's contagious music while learning important science concepts. From the title track, "We All Live Downstream," to "Storm Drain Blues," the Banana Slugs String Band helps us all understand how to live better on the Earth. Tickets are just $7.00 per person. Call 201.253.1310 to reserve seats in advance. 2:00 pm

BASF Kids Lab 

Saturday, April 3
If your family likes to learn together and is curious about what causes "stuff" to be, well, stuff, sign them up for the BASF Kids Lab. Designed for families with children ages 6-12, the BASF Kids Lab offers a variety of fun, hands-on experiments. Come enjoy leanring about new concepts and ideas related to chemistry! Space is limited, please call 201.253.1310 to reserve your spot today. Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Cost: $5.00 per person.


One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure  

Sunday, April 4
One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure begins on Sesame Street when Elmo's friend, Hu Hu Zhu, visits from China. Big Bird, Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu take viewers on an exciting discovery of the sun, moon, and stars. They also learn about the Big Dipper and the North Star. Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu then take an imaginary trip to the Moon where they learn that the Moon is a very different place from the Earth. When they imagine themselves back on Earth, they celebrate the idea that even though they live in two different countries, they still share the same sky. They even pick the North Star as their friendship star to always remind them of their shared joy of looking up at the sky together. Made possible by the Sesame Street Workshop and the National Science Foundation. Times: 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm; Ages: Recommended for ages 4-6 with adults; Cost: $3.00 child/$4.00 adult

Columbia University Klezmer Band

Sunday, April 4
Enjoy this traditional Eastern European Jewish folk music, free with paid admission. You'll want to get up and dance for joy!

Bubblemania!

Saturday, April 10

Experience a high-energy mix of visual comedy, quick wit, swing music, and amazing soap bubble manipulations from round bubbles to intricate Bubble Art (bubble chains, bubble spaceships, fog-filled bubbles, and more).  Learn how these shapes form, how to make a cube bubble and the science of bubble bursting, with each topic related to physical laws of the natural world.  Great for all ages. Cost: Tickets are $6 per person with the purchase of an exhibition ticket. Times: 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm 

BASF Kids Lab

Saturday, April 10
If your family likes to learn together and is curious about what causes "stuff" to be, well, stuff, sign them up for the BASF Kids Lab. Designed for families with children ages 6-12, the BASF Kids Lab offers a variety of fun, hands-on experiments. Come enjoy leanring about new concepts and ideas related to chemistry! Space is limited, please call 201.253.1310 to reserve your spot today. Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Cost: $5.00 per person.

Week of the Young Child

April 11-17
Children are natural scientists, curious about everything around them. Liberty Science Center is pleased to celebrate “The Week of the Young Child” by encouraging exploration! Young scientists aged 2-5 can explore who they are, what they can do, and what their world offers in our popular I Explore exhibition. With adult caregivers, children can see what’s under a city sidewalk, use a large-scale ball machine, and make music on ringing rocks in this age-restricted area. Then continue exploration with special hands-on activities and programs targeted to young learners.

BASF Kids Lab

Saturday, April 17
If your family likes to learn together and is curious about what causes "stuff" to be, well, stuff, sign them up for the BASF Kids Lab. Designed for families with children ages 6-12, the BASF Kids Lab offers a variety of fun, hands-on experiments. Come enjoy leanring about new concepts and ideas related to chemistry! Space is limited, please call 201.253.1310 to reserve your spot today. Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Cost: $5.00 per person.


Earth Day Celebrations!

Saturday - Sunday, April 17 - 18
April 22 marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and Liberty Science Center is getting started early with activities Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18. All activities are free with paid admission while supplies last. Join us! Supplies and seating may be limited. Please check for details at the Welcome Desk upon your arrival.
 
Trash Timeline and Free Poster Giveaway –Do you know how long it takes thrown-away objects to disintegrate in a landfill?  Try to put them in order from those that take the shortest time to degrade to those that take the longest …you may be surprised!  Then get a colorful, free, full-sized poster showing how long your trash lasts. You’ll be inspired to recycle more! Time: 12:00 – 3:00 pm.
 
Readings - The Lorax by Dr. Seuss – Who speaks for the trees? The Lorax does! Children ages 4-8 with siblings and parents will enjoy hearing this classic environmental tale written just for them. It’s a wonderful way to introduce youngsters to ecological awareness and the importance of speaking up and taking positive action. Each child will receive a free Lorax pencil made from recycled newspaper free of charge, while supplies last. Eat and Be Eaten Gallery. 10:30 am, 11:30 am & 12:30pm, on a space-available basis.
 
Animals From Around the Globe – Earth Day is not just for humans. Animals, plants and other organisms count on us to live “greener” every day. Meet live animals from every continent in this informative show and see why they are important to their own special ecosystems.   Get free tickets at the Jennifer A. Chalsty Center entrance starting at 11:00 am. Seating is limited to 100 people per show. Interactive Theater 12:00, 1:00 and 2:00 pm.
 
Make a Pot, Plant a Seed – Kids love caring for plants they grow themselves, and they can make a pot from newspaper, fill it with soil, and plant sunflower seeds. Then set the whole thing in a paper cup and take it home to plant. The birds will thank you!
 

Eco Kids Fashion Show

Saturday, April 24
Liberty Science Center celebrates Earth Day 2010 with the introduction of Eco Boys and Girls: earth-friendly educational animated characters created by visionary top model, fashion designer and artist, Maria Snyder. Guests visiting the Center on April 24 will have the opportunity to see exciting videos of the Eco Kids and participate in green-focused, hands-on activities.

BASF Kids Lab

Saturday, April 24
If your family likes to learn together and is curious about what causes "stuff" to be, well, stuff, sign them up for the BASF Kids Lab. Designed for families with children ages 6-12, the BASF Kids Lab offers a variety of fun, hands-on experiments. Come enjoy leanring about new concepts and ideas related to chemistry! Space is limited, please call 201.253.1310 to reserve your spot today. Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Cost: $5.00 per person.

One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure  

Sunday, April 25
One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure begins on Sesame Street when Elmo's friend, Hu Hu Zhu, visits from China. Big Bird, Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu take viewers on an exciting discovery of the sun, moon, and stars. They also learn about the Big Dipper and the North Star. Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu then take an imaginary trip to the Moon where they learn that the Moon is a very different place from the Earth. When they imagine themselves back on Earth, they celebrate the idea that even though they live in two different countries, they still share the same sky. They even pick the North Star as their friendship star to always remind them of their shared joy of looking up at the sky together. Made possible by the Sesame Street Workshop and the National Science Foundation. Times: 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm; Ages: Recommended for ages 4-6 with adults; Cost: $3.00 child/$4.00 adult

BASF Kids Lab

Saturday, May 1
If your family likes to learn together and is curious about what causes "stuff" to be, well, stuff, sign them up for the BASF Kids Lab. Designed for families with children ages 6-12, the BASF Kids Lab offers a variety of fun, hands-on experiments. Come enjoy leanring about new concepts and ideas related to chemistry! Space is limited, please call 201.253.1310 to reserve your spot today. Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Cost: $5.00 per person.



BASF Kids Lab

Saturday, May 8
If your family likes to learn together and is curious about what causes "stuff" to be, well, stuff, sign them up for the BASF Kids Lab. Designed for families with children ages 6-12, the BASF Kids Lab offers a variety of fun, hands-on experiments. Come enjoy leanring about new concepts and ideas related to chemistry! Space is limited, please call 201.253.1310 to reserve your spot today. Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Cost: $5.00 per person.

BASF Kids Lab

Saturday, May 15
If your family likes to learn together and is curious about what causes "stuff" to be, well, stuff, sign them up for the BASF Kids Lab. Designed for families with children ages 6-12, the BASF Kids Lab offers a variety of fun, hands-on experiments. Come enjoy leanring about new concepts and ideas related to chemistry! Space is limited, please call 201.253.1310 to reserve your spot today. Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Cost: $5.00 per person.

BASF Kids Lab

Saturday, May 22
If your family likes to learn together and is curious about what causes "stuff" to be, well, stuff, sign them up for the BASF Kids Lab. Designed for families with children ages 6-12, the BASF Kids Lab offers a variety of fun, hands-on experiments. Come enjoy leanring about new concepts and ideas related to chemistry! Space is limited, please call 201.253.1310 to reserve your spot today. Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Cost: $5.00 per person.

BASF Kids Lab

Saturday, May 29
If your family likes to learn together and is curious about what causes "stuff" to be, well, stuff, sign them up for the BASF Kids Lab. Designed for families with children ages 6-12, the BASF Kids Lab offers a variety of fun, hands-on experiments. Come enjoy leanring about new concepts and ideas related to chemistry! Space is limited, please call 201.253.1310 to reserve your spot today. Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Cost: $5.00 per person.

BASF Kids Lab

Saturday, June 5
If your family likes to learn together and is curious about what causes "stuff" to be, well, stuff, sign them up for the BASF Kids Lab. Designed for families with children ages 6-12, the BASF Kids Lab offers a variety of fun, hands-on experiments. Come enjoy leanring about new concepts and ideas related to chemistry! Space is limited, please call 201.253.1310 to reserve your spot today. Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Cost: $5.00 per person.

BASF Kids Lab

Saturday, June 12
If your family likes to learn together and is curious about what causes "stuff" to be, well, stuff, sign them up for the BASF Kids Lab. Designed for families with children ages 6-12, the BASF Kids Lab offers a variety of fun, hands-on experiments. Come enjoy leanring about new concepts and ideas related to chemistry! Space is limited, please call 201.253.1310 to reserve your spot today. Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Cost: $5.00 per person.