Science Spotlights

In-Person Special Event

Meet up-and-coming scientists and learn about questions at the forefront of research today in this series of short talks. Perhaps you’ll discuss how studying dog reactions help us learn about the evolution of social behavior? Maybe you’ll consider the regrowth of a microscopic worm after injury and what that can teach us about any animal cell. Will you look at how trees manage the tradeoffs of building woody tissue or look for geological evidence of Earth’s first billion years? Each Science Spotlight in the series will include several short research talks.

Schedule

2:00 pm Fish Athletes with Dr Yangfan Zhang

How much energy do fish use as they swim through the ocean? How does that change if the environment changes? Answering these questions not only helps me understand the basic biology of fish but also helps guide us as we make policy decisions about climate change and human food supply.

3:00 pm Fantastic Water Bears with Marc Mapalo

Water Bears, Moss Pigs, Tardigrades. No matter what you call them these tiny creatures are truly super beasts.  See live tardigrades in action, hear about current research findings, and learn about a fossil tardigrade in amber, dating from the time of T. rex.

Ages 10–Adults.

Free with regular museum admission.

Black man speak to a group of adults and kids in the Sea Creatures gallery.
Feb
04

Sketching Plants and Flowers

On February 4, 2026 at 9:30 am
Feb
07

I ♥ Science

On February 7, 2026 at 1:00 pm
Feb
19

New Perspectives in Ornithology

On February 19, 2026 at 6:00 pm
Feb
21

The Science of Scents & Fragrances – SOLD OUT

On February 21, 2026 at 11:00 am