The Museums are open seven days a week and we invite you to play, explore, and create with us. Free with museum admission!
One year ago this day NASA released the first images from the JWST to the public with fantastic fanfare! We’ll celebrate a full year of images and new discoveries, review what we’ve learned, hear from expert speakers, and release a brand new JWST image!
Don’t forget about our special exhibits!
Note: Activities, locations, and times subject to change. Please pick up a daily schedule in the Welcome Center for the most up to date information.
Special Activities – One Day Only!
One year ago this day NASA released the first images from the JWST to the public with fantastic fanfare! We’ll celebrate a full year of images and new discoveries, review what we’ve learned, hear from expert speakers, and release a brand new JWST image!
Introduction to Telescopes, 11 am-3 pm
How to telescopes help us to see far-away objects? Get up close to some of the telescopes the museum uses for educational purposes, and see what kinds of images we’ve captured with them! Science Workshop, Second Floor, Springfield Science Museum
Observatory Tours, 12:30 and 2 pm
Join one of our friendly astronomy staff members to check out the 20-inch reflecting telescope on the museum’s roof! Astronomy Hall, Second Floor, Springfield Science Museum
The Why, What, and How of the James Webb Space Telescope, 1 pm
Join STEM Curator Kevin Kopchynski for this one-of-a-kind, fully live planetarium show. Kevin will explain how the JWST works, and the significance of what we’ve learned in it’s first year of operation. Enjoy these stunning images projected on our new full-dome planetarium dome. Stay tuned to see the brand new image released that morning! Seymour Planetarium, Second Floor, Springfield Science Museum
Planetarium admission fee applies. Purchase tickets.
Meet the Cat in the Hat, 11 am-2 pm
Quadrangle Green (Rain location: MassMutual Hall, First Floor, Wood Museum of Springfield History)
Wacky Headbands, 11 am-3 pm
Create your own Wacky Headband inspired by your favorite character using a variety of materials! Quadrangle Green (Rain location: Science Workshop, Second Floor, Springfield Science Museum)
Oobleck, 11 am-3 pm
Jump into Bartholomew’s story and create oobleck in this experiment! Quadrangle Green (Rain location: Discovery Lab, Lower Level, Springfield Science Museum)
Who Band, 11 am-3 pm
Try your hand at playing in our Who Band! Use our instruments or make your own! Quadrangle Green (Rain location: Habitat or African Hall, First Floor, Springfield Science Museum)
Guess How Many! 12-4 pm
One fish? Two Fish? Guess how many fish are in the jar to win a prize! Art Discovery Center, Second Floor, GWV Smith Art Museum)
Make a Mandala, 12-4 pm
Learn about patterns and meditation while creating your own Mandala, a geometric configuration of symbols. Art Discovery Center, Second Floor, GWV Smith Art Museum)
Introduction to Seymour Planetarium, 12:30 pm
Join us for a 5- to 10-minute program to learn what you can see in a planetarium and how it works. Discover a constellation and see how our projectors work together to display the heavens for you. Seating is limited; available first come, first serve. Second Floor, Springfield Science Museum.
Summer Spectacular is sponsored by Baystate Health, Florence Bank, M&T Bank, and Charles H. Hall Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee.
