Family Science Night
This program is for middle school students and their families. Although we encourage participants of all ages, to be eligible for this program, at least one participant must be in middle school.
Come to the Goddard Visitor Center once a month to discover the wide variety of science and engineering being performed here at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. As a family you will work with NASA volunteers to explore various themes through two hours of hands-on activities and even take home resources to perform your own experiments at home.
Family Science Night is designed for middle school students and their families. Family members of all ages (younger and older) are welcome to come participate. Special activities will be run for the much younger visitors so don't be afraid to bring the whole family!
On your first visit to a Family Science Night, you will receive a super cool punch card. Every time you participate in a Family Science Night program, you get a hole punch. At the end of the Family Science Night season (May), turn your card in for some cool prizes. The more hole punches you have the bigger the prize!
Photos
Events
2009 - 2010 Events
[+] September (09/17):
How big? How Far? How old?
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered, "What's out there?" Join us for an evening of exploration and find out more about our great big universe. Families will participate in hands-on activities and take home NASA materials to keep exploring at home.
Schedule
Thursday, September 17, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Sign-in for the event will be from 5:00 - 5:55. Come early and browse through the NASA Goddard Visitor Center Gift Shop and take time to explore the many exhibits at the Visitor Center. Family Science Night activities will begin promptly at 6:00.
[+] October (10/8) & November (11/12) registration for these events are closed
October (10/8): Have you ever seen the invisible?
Have you ever gotten an x-ray? Used a remote control? Listened to the radio? Even when we can't see it, light is all around us. Join us for two hours of illuminating activities and take home the tools to finally see the light.
Schedule
Thursday, October 8, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Sign-in for the event will be from 5:00 - 5:55. Come early and browse through the NASA Goddard Visitor Center Gift Shop and take time to explore the many exhibits at the Visitor Center. Family Science Night activities will begin promptly at 6:00.
November (11/12): You are here!
Have you ever flown a paper airplane? Built a sand castle? Gotten lost, only to discover you were looking at the map upside down? Sometimes it helps to look at things in a whole different way. Join us for an evening of models, maps, and missing aliens!
Schedule
Thursday, November 12, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Sign-in for the event will be from 5:00 - 5:55. Come early and browse through the NASA Goddard Visitor Center Gift Shop and take time to explore the many exhibits at the Visitor Center. Family Science Night activities will begin promptly at 6:00.
[+] December (12/10) & January (1/14) registration for these events are closed
December (12/10): Tis' The Seasons
Have you ever wondered why we're walking in a winter wonderland in December... but sizzling in the summer sun in July? Join us as we explore the reasons for the seasons with an evening of hands-on activities for the entire family.
Schedule
Thursday, December 10, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Sign-in for the event will be from 5:00 - 5:55. Come early and browse through the NASA Goddard Visitor Center Gift Shop and take time to explore the many exhibits at the Visitor Center. Family Science Night activities will begin promptly at 6:00.
January (1/14): Be a Star
Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are. Have you ever wished upon a star? Come learn about the life cycles of the bright and famous in this evening of stellar family activities.
Schedule
Thursday, January 14, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Sign-in for the event will be from 5:00 - 5:55. Come early and browse through the NASA Goddard Visitor Center Gift Shop and take time to explore the many exhibits at the Visitor Center. Family Science Night activities will begin promptly at 6:00.
[+] February (2/11) & March (3/11) registration for these events opens Feb. 4th
February (2/11): Exploring the Moon
We're heading back to the Moon! NASA needs to find a spot that is safe enough to land and establish a lunar base. Families will experience firsthand what it takes to explore a new environment and make decisions to keep themselves safe on the Moon!
Schedule
Thursday, February 11, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Sign-in for the event will be from 5:00 - 5:55. Come early and browse through the NASA Goddard Visitor Center Gift Shop and take time to explore the many exhibits at the Visitor Center. Family Science Night activities will begin promptly at 6:00.
March (3/11): Batteries Not Included
Have you ever gotten a present that required batteries... but you didn't have any? Imagine a world where batteries were never included. How would you carry electricity? Join us for an energetic evening filled with hours of powerful activities.
Schedule
Thursday, March 11, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Sign-in for the event will be from 5:00 - 5:55. Come early and browse through the NASA Goddard Visitor Center Gift Shop and take time to explore the many exhibits at the Visitor Center. Family Science Night activities will begin promptly at 6:00.
[+] April (4/8) & May (5/13) registration for these events opens April 1st
April (4/8): Now you see it... Now you don't!
Have you ever seen an eclipse? It's a big event in astronomy when the Sun or Moon goes undercover! Join us for an evening of activities that will probe the shadows and reveal the secrets of eclipses.
Schedule
Thursday, April 8, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Sign-in for the event will be from 5:00 - 5:55. Come early and browse through the NASA Goddard Visitor Center Gift Shop and take time to explore the many exhibits at the Visitor Center. Family Science Night activities will begin promptly at 6:00.
May (5/13): Searching for Other Worlds
Have you ever wondered about other planets, the ones outside our own solar system? Where are they, and what are they like? How do scientists find them? Join us for an evening of exploration of worlds beyond our neighborhood.
Schedule
Thursday, May 13, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Sign-in for the event will be from 5:00 - 5:55. Come early and browse through the NASA Goddard Visitor Center Gift Shop and take time to explore the many exhibits at the Visitor Center. Family Science Night activities will begin promptly at 6:00.
[+] June 5 - 6: Family Science Night Overnight Registration restricted to previous participants
Sleep Under the Rockets
Do you like all things camping? Pitching tents, campfires, Hot dogs, and s'mores? Come to the annual Family Science Night Overnight at the Goddard Visitor Center for a bit of science, games, and camp fire stories. Oh, did we mention all of this all takes place under a bunch of rockets?
Schedule
June 27 - 28
Sign-in for the event will be from 1:00 - 1:30. All tents must be pitched by 2:00. Family Science Night activities will begin promptly at 2:00. Registration for this event is required. Registration will open up in May.
Important Information
Questions, call (301) 286-3912
Forms
- Flyer (PDF)
- Parental Release (PDF)