What is 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 get to take home a bag full of goodies to then 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!
Check back regularly for new updates to the Family Science Night program. The topics below will become active links when registration for each night is opened.
Photos
2008 - 2009 Events
September (09/25): How big? How Far? How old?
[+] Event Details
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 25, 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.
Directions
NASA Goddard Visitor Center
Explorer Drive, Greenbelt, MD 20771
directions...
Questions, call (301) 286-3912
Activities performed throughout the night as well as any supporting resources will be posted on this page the day following the event... we wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!
October (10/16): Have you ever seen the invisible?
[+] Event Details
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 16, 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.
Directions
NASA Goddard Visitor Center
Explorer Drive, Greenbelt, MD 20771
directions...
Questions, call (301) 286-3912
Activities performed throughout the night as well as any supporting resources will be posted on this page the day following the event... we wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!
November (11/20): You are here!
[+] Event Details
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 20, 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.
Directions
NASA Goddard Visitor Center
Explorer Drive, Greenbelt, MD 20771
directions...
Questions, call (301) 286-3912
Activities performed throughout the night as well as any supporting
resources will be posted on this page the day following the event... we
wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!
December (12/11): Tis' The Seasons
[+] Event Details
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 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.
Directions
NASA Goddard Visitor Center
Explorer Drive, Greenbelt, MD 20771
directions...
Questions, call (301) 286-3912
Activities performed throughout the night as well as any supporting resources will be posted on this page the day following the event... we wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!
January (1/22): Be a Star
[+] Event Details
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, February 19, 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.
Directions
NASA Goddard Visitor Center
Explorer Drive, Greenbelt, MD 20771
directions...
Questions, call (301) 286-3912
Activities performed throughout the night as well as any supporting resources will be posted on this page the day following the event... we wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!
February (2/19): Exploring the Moon
[+] Event Details
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 19, 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.
Directions
NASA Goddard Visitor Center
Explorer Drive, Greenbelt, MD 20771
directions...
Questions, call (301) 286-3912
Activities performed throughout the night as well as any supporting resources will be posted on this page the day following the event... we wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!
March (3/19): Batteries Not Included
[+] Event Details
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 19, 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.
Directions
NASA Goddard Visitor Center
Explorer Drive, Greenbelt, MD 20771
directions...
Questions, call (301) 286-3912
Activities performed throughout the night as well as any supporting resources will be posted on this page the day following the event... we wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!
April (4/16): Now you see it... Now you don't!
[+] Event Details
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 16, 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.
Directions
NASA Goddard Visitor Center
Explorer Drive, Greenbelt, MD 20771
directions...
Questions, call (301) 286-3912
Activities performed throughout the night as well as any supporting resources will be posted on this page the day following the event... we wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!
May (5/21): Searching for Other Worlds
[+] Event Details
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 21, 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.
Directions
NASA Goddard Visitor Center
Explorer Drive, Greenbelt, MD 20771
directions...
Questions, call (301) 286-3912
Activities performed throughout the night as well as any supporting resources will be posted on this page the day following the event... we wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!
June 27 - 28 : Family Science Night Overnight
[+] Event Details
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.
Directions
NASA Goddard Visitor Center
Explorer Drive, Greenbelt, MD 20771
directions...
Questions, call (301) 286-3146
