The Michigan Science Center is kicking it into high gear for winter break. Check out all these options!
Extended Holiday Hours
While schools are out for holiday break, the Science Center has extended its hours of operation. Hours over the holiday are as follows:
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Dec. 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2
Noon – 6 p.m. on Dec. 27 and Jan. 3
Closed Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. 1.
A big draw in the coming weeks will be MiSci’s 3rd birthday celebration, taking place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 26. Sponsored by MGM Grand Detroit - Touching Communities, Touching Lives, this celebration gives back to the community with free general admission. The party will feature a community birthday cake and special activities.
“We’re thrilled to give the gift of free admission and to brighten up the holidays with a bit of science cheer,” said Dee Dee McKinney Odom, director of public affairs for MGM Grand Detroit. “As a dedicated community partner, this is just one of many ways we’re making a difference locally.”
With the festive spirit in mind, MiSci is hosting gift-making workshops, Dec. 19-20. Surrounded by the fun and inspiring environment of Toytopia, a limited engagement exhibit, participants will become toy builders by creating a holiday present for somebody special. There will be four to six gift options for attendees to choose to build, which cost $5 or $10 to make. Kids also will get the chance to wrap their presents during the workshop.
In addition to gift-making workshops, MiSci will be engaging kids with Holiday Adventures at MiSci the week of Dec. 28. First through third graders can participate in Toy Adventures, Dec. 28-Dec. 31, while discovering and building antique toys, creating light-up jewelry, exploring the world of electricity, playing brain games, experimenting with silly putty and more. Fourth through eighth graders have a larger task at hand, with the chance to learn about simple and complex machines, while building a refurbished bike to take home. With the assistance of Detroit Eastside Community Collaborative and Back Alley Bikes, attendees will learn how a bike’s levers, gears, axles and wheels function.
First through third graders have the choice to attend one or all days, while fourth through eighth graders must attend all four days in order to participate. Both camps include lunch, exploration time in MiSci’s exhibits and other hands-on activities. Visit the MiSci website for more information on Holiday Adventures.
The largest, most complete, best-preserved T. rex ever – A T. rex Named Sue – which has been on display in the museum’s ITC Gallery since early October, will be leaving MiSci on Jan. 3. Dinosaur enthusiasts won’t want to miss their last chance to see the life-sized skeleton cast of Sue, or the separate cast of Sue’s 5-foot long skull that roars and growls, among the other interactive activities incorporated into this awe-inspiring exhibit.
MiSci invites science fans, age 21 and over, to spend their third Thursday at After Dark, MiSci’s monthly happy hour. From 5 - 8 p.m. on Dec. 17, After Dark will feature demos with a mixologist, vintage video competitions, extreme dot-to-dot challenges and more. Cost is just $10 per person and includes one drink ticket. Additional drinks are available for purchase. Purchase tickets online or at the door.