Museum & Science Center > Programs & Events
Summer @ the RMSC!
Catch some messy, science-y fun every week of the summer, rain or shine! Join us for Mini MESStival Mondays and Science Saturdays.
Tickets Coming Soon!
Mini Messtival Mondays & Science Saturdays
Join us for some messy, science-y fun every week of the summer, rain or shine! We’ll be hosting a Mini Messtival Monday and Science Saturday each week of the summer from July 3–September 2, so you’ll never miss out on the fun.
Each week presents a new opportunity to explore a different STEM-tasic theme!
Monday, July 3 & Saturday, July 8
Week 1:
Fun in the sun
Mini Messtival Monday
Monday, July 3
- Archaeology Dig: Get your hands dirty while you dig for fossils, rocks, and other natural objects in our archaeology bins!
- Artful Science–Painting with Sunscreen: Make your own UV-protected painting with sunscreen, then take your creation home for an at-home science experiment. Place in the sun and observe what happens! You can share your results with #rocrmsc
- Science Encounter–Invisible Sunscreen: Learn the science behind sunscreen and how it works to keep us protected from harmful UV rays.
- Don’t Burst My Bubble!: Learn how to make giant bubbles and DIY bubble wands to take home.
Science Saturday
Saturday, July 8
- Playing with Scale: Visit a giant, picture-worthy scale model of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon to comprehend the massive scale of our solar system. You’ll also learn about the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse in Rochester.
- Artful Science–Sunprints: Create one-of-a-kind prints outdoors by using the power of the sun! (Weather permitting)
- DIY Sundials: Learn about how sundials are a historical and effective way to keep time. Make your own and take it home so that you’ll always be able to tell time by using the sun!
- Tech Lab–Teen Corner (noon, 1pm, 2pm): Make your own mini solar oven! You’ll learn about the power of the sun and be able to take home your own solar-powered oven for a tasty at-home science experiment. Share your results using #rocrmsc!
There is no additional cost for this program, but registration is required. Recommended for teens, but all are welcome! - Science Encounter–Orbiting Objects: Experience a hands-on activity that imitates a gravity well. You’ll learn about gravitational attraction in space, how changing conditions can cause phenomena like stellar wobble, and about planet formation.
Monday, July 10 & Saturday, July 15
Week 2:
Environmental Science and sustainability
Mini Messtival Monday
Monday, July 10
- Artful Science–Botanical Impressions: Make one-of-a-kind prints of botanical and natural objects to take home! You’ll be able to make your print into a postcard or a piece of art.
- DIY Seed Bombs: Make your own seed bomb using paper and a wildflower blend. Take home your creation to plant and watch it grow!
- Soil Painting: Join Impact Earth to get messy with a soil painting activity. We’ll be working on a collaborative canvas–make your mark using different kinds of soil samples!
- Biking–The Right Tool for the Job (11:15am, 12:15pm, 1:15pm, & 2:15pm): Join us for a presentation that examines bicycling and “active transportation” from a sustainability perspective. You’ll learn the basics of safe bicycling habits from a certified bike instructor! Get ready to bike, scoot, or walk your way to a more sustainable future. Make sure to stick around for the Q&A!
Science Saturday
Saturday, July 15
- Intro to Robotics: Join Penfield Robotics to watch robots in action. You’ll learn how robotic technology is used in real-life environmental cleanups!
- Water Roll: Play a hands-on game about water and sustainability. You’ll learn about water conservation and its environmental effects!
- DIY Seed Bombs: Make your own seed bomb using paper and a wildflower blend. Take home your creation to plant and watch it grow!
- Tech Lab–Water Olympics (11am, noon, 1pm, 2pm): Learn about the properties of water through our Water Olympics! You’ll test the pH of tap water, see how much water a surface can hold, and more!
This event is free to attend, but registration is required. - Green Infrastructure Tours: Join staff to tour the green infrastructure we have installed on the RMSC campus! You’ll learn how we conserve water in our own back yard. (Weather permitting)
- Featured SOS Show: Watch showings in our Science on a Sphere theater about Our Changing Earth.
Monday, July 17 & Saturday, July 22
Week 3:
Fantastic Space
Mini Messtival Monday
Monday, July 17
- Artful Science–Magnet Painting: Make one-of-a-kind pieces using marbles, paint, and magnets! This hands-on art activity will teach you about the science of magnetic fields.
- DIY Lunar Landings: Make and test your very own lunar lander spacecraft. Your challenge is to investigate gravity, motion, forces, and a target of your choosing to design a safe landing for your spacecraft and astronauts.
- Science Encounter–Mini Rockets: See mini rockets soar and learn how a simple chemical reaction can power mini rockets!
- Galaxy Spin Art: Learn about gigantic clouds of gas and dust in space that form nebulas, then create your own unique colorful galaxy spin art.
Science Saturday
Saturday, July 22
- Playing with Scale: Visit a giant, picture-worthy scale model of the Sun, the Earth and the Moon to comprehend the massive scale of our solar system. You’ll also learn about the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse in Rochester.
- Space Nostalgia: Celebrate the anniversary of Apollo 11’s mission to the moon (July 20, 1969) by watching clips of the lunar landing and learning about the event.
- Tech Lab–Make Your Own Rocket (11am, noon, 1pm, 2pm) :Tinker, create, and learn about all things space in the Tech Lab. You’ll create your own bubble-powered rocket to take and launch at home.
This event is free to attend, but registration is required. - Solar Viewing: Learn how to safely look at the sun using a solar telescope and eclipse glasses. This activity is weather-permitting and subject to change.
- Featured SOS Show: Watch showings in our Science on a Sphere theater–view Mission to Touch the Sun or Trip to the Moon.
Monday, July 24 & Saturday, July 29
Week 4:
Amazing Animals
Mini Messtival Monday
Monday, July 24
- Artful Science–Animal Sculptures: Try your hand at sculpting with a malleable & recyclable medium! Create your own animal sculpture to take home. Set them outside and see what shadows their shapes make!
- Frog Slime: Make your own slime inspired by some of the RMSC’s amazing (and especially jumpy) resident animals. Meet and greet with these creatures when you’re done making your slime!
- Science Encounter–Frogs and Smog: Learn how frogs can teach us about our air quality. You’ll learn about how pollution affects the health of frogs and ways to make our air cleaner.
- Pollinator Heroes: Get your hands dirty in our pollinator garden and learn about the amazing insects & animals that help our garden grow.
Science Saturday
Saturday, July 29
- Braddock Bay Raptor Meet and Greet (12:30–2:30pm): Meet Braddock Bay‘s amazing raptors (birds). You’ll learn about raptor rescue, and the migratory behaviors of these magnificent birds!
- Artful Science–Animals that GLOW!: Learn about bioluminescent animals and make your own with glow-in-the-dark paint!
- Track and Scat: Play a matching game to learn how to track animals by their scat and then trace their steps to experience how animals move!
- Tech Lab–All About Butterflies!: Learn about monarch butterfly migration, view butterflies & insects from our collection, and make your own butterfly sun-catcher.
- Featured SOS Show: Watch showings in our Science on a Sphere theater–including viewings of Animal Adaptations.
Monday, July 31 & Saturday, August 5
Week 5:
Build it week
Mini Messtival Monday
Monday, July 31
- Kinetic Sand: Make your own kinetic sand to take home using sand, cornstarch, and cooking oil. You’ll create soft, moldable sand that is great sensory play for all ages!
- Bridge Building Challenge: Use everyday objects like binder clips, clothespins, and popsicle sticks to build a bridge over the Genesee River.
- Robot Beach Cleanup Challenge: Learn how robots can help keep our environment clean. You’ll get the chance to use our LEGO EV3 robots to keep the challenge beaches free of litter!
- Science Encounter–Mastodon Toothpaste: What happens when you combine hydrogen peroxide + dish soap + yeast? An explosive reaction! Come learn why we call this experiment Mastodon Toothpaste and visit Murray the Mastodon afterward to take a look at real mastodon chompers.
Science Saturday
Saturday, August 5
- Ninja Code: Learn from other Master Code Ninjas the skills it takes to design your own video game!
- National Sand Castle Day: Join a local artist from Teaching Artists Roc to celebrate National Sand Castle Day! You’ll build your own sand castle with specially-crafted sand clay. Decorate the castle to give it your own unique flair with beads and sea shells.
- Da Vinci Bridge Challenge: Leonardo da Vinci was more than an artist! Learn about how Da Vinci designed a self-supporting bridge & take on the challenge by making one of your own.
- 3D Printing Demonstrations: Learn how 3D printing works, from design to final product, with an RMSC Discovery Guide. You’ll learn about 3-D printing materials and watch an object being printed in real-time. Tinker with objects that have been printed at the RMSC!
Monday, August 7 & Saturday, August 12
Week 6:
Incredible inventors
Mini Messtival Monday
Monday, August 7
- Tech Lab–Alarm Door Mats (11am, noon, 1pm, & 2pm): Learn about the amazing inventor of the home alarm system–Marie Van Britten Brown. Create your own alarm doormat to take home! Each participant gets one rug. This workshop is for ages 8 and up, pre-registered tickets are required. A guardian must be present with participants for the entire duration of the workshop.
- Scribble Bots: Create your own art-making robot! Experiment with a motorized mark-making tool to get the scribbles, dots, and marks you want on your paper.
- Rube Goldberg Machine–Family Challenge: Who doesn’t love a good Rube Goldberg machine? These contraptions use intricate methods to perform simple tasks. Come learn about the machine’s namesake and help us create a complex Rube Goldberg Machine at the RMSC with the help of your whole family!
- Pendulum Painting: Attach a paint-dispensing object to a pendulum to create your own undulating work of art! Learn about the patterns and physics of a pendulum.
Science Saturday
Saturday, August 12
- Mystery STEM Challenge Bags: Choose your own STEM-venture! pick up a plain paper bag and see how many inventions you can create with the mystery items inside!
- Rube Goldberg Machine–Family Challenge: Who doesn’t love a good Rube Goldberg machine? These contraptions use intricate methods to perform simple tasks. Come learn about the machine’s namesake and help us create a complex Rube Goldberg Machine at the RMSC with the help of your whole family!
- Tech Lab–Alarm Door Mats (11am, noon, 1pm, & 2pm): Learn about the amazing inventor of the home alarm system–Marie Van Britten Brown. Create your own alarm doormat to take home! Each participant gets one rug. This workshop is for ages 8 and up, pre-registered tickets are required. A guardian must be present with participants for the entire duration of the workshop.
Presenter schedule and activities are subject to change.
