Midwest Region Events

  • A science demonstration showing a large flame erupting from a combustion reaction, as an educator in a lab coat conducts the experiment in front of an audience of children and adults.

    SAINT LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER

    Sat. April 6 - Sun. April 14
    dates and times vary
    St. Louis, MO
    Best for: age 4 & up

    The Saint Louis Science Center serves guests by inspiring everyone to be curious and engaged in science. With hundreds of interactive experiences across 10 galleries, the Science Center helps to spread the growth of STEM fields by highlighting historic, current and future concepts.

    Organized by Saint Louis Science Center

    more info
  • A young participant, adorned with a red apron and holding a cup, engages with a cheerful badger mascot at a science event, while a woman in red oversees a table filled with cups of yellow liquid. The atmosphere suggests an interactive and educationa

    UW SCIENCE EXPEDITIONS - CAMPUS OPEN HOUSE

    Sat. April 6 - Sun. April 7
    times vary
    Madison, WI
    Best for: all ages

    Interact with researchers, visit science venues across campus, enjoy Science Spectacular Shows, and try your hand at interactive Exploration Stations. From astronomy to zoology, UW Science Expeditions is the annual campus-wide science open house that connects you to UW people and places all year round.

    Organized by UW–Madison

    more info
  • Children are engaged in a hands-on learning activity in a sandbox designed to mimic a paleontological dig site. Surrounded by a mural of a prehistoric landscape, they use tools to uncover replicas of dinosaur bones, fully immersed in the experience o

    SIOUX CITY PUBLIC MUSEUM

    Sat. April 6 - Sun. April 14
    times vary, check website
    Sioux City, IA
    Best for: all ages

    Explore Sioux City's rich history for free at the Sioux City Public Museum. Don't miss the fascinating geology and fossil exhibit! Engage, learn, and discover. Always Free and Open to the public

    Organized by Sioux City Public Museum

    more info
  • Image of a total solar eclipse, with the moon centered over the sun. The sun's corona is visible around the moon's dark silhouette against a black sky, with streams of sunlight emanating outward.

    TOTAL ECLIPSE FEST 2024

    Sat. April 6 - Mon. April 8
    Cleveland, OH
    Best for: all ages

    Join the premier eclipse celebration in Cleveland - Total Eclipse Fest 2024 at Great Lakes Science Center, a free, outdoor, three-day, family-friendly science and arts festival.

    Organized by Great Lakes Science Center

    more info
  • The photo depicts a large, detailed globe on a stand in the center of a spacious lobby with informational panels about satellite imagery and urban expansion. The setting appears to be a public or educational facility designed to inform visitors abou

    TOURS OF THE EARTH RESOURCES & OBSERVATION SCIENCE (EROS) CENTER

    Mon. April 8 - Fri. April 12
    10 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT
    Sioux Falls, SD
    Best for: age 8 & up

    Home to one of the largest civilian archives of land images in the world, the U.S. Geological Survey (EROS) Center is open for tours on weekdays. Learn about the Landsat satellite program, view imagery of our planet, and walk the historic halls of the data center. Both self-guided and guided tours are available on weekdays.

    Organized by U.S. Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center

    more info
  • A young girl in a leopard print dress is pointing to a location on a world map displayed on a wall, with a red circle around Senegal indicating a specific area of interest. The exhibit she's interacting with seems educational, likely designed to eng

    PLAYLAB PLAYDATES

    Wed. April 10
    11:00 a.m. CT
    Chicago, IL
    Best for: 2-6 year olds

    PlayLab PlayDates are free, drop-in activities featuring storytime sessions, music and movement circles, science experiments and more. PlayLab PlayDates are free to museum guests, do not require pre-registration, and take place on IL Resident Free Days!

    Organized by Field Museum

    more info

  • DARK SKY CELEBRATION: AN INTRO TO LIGHT POLLUTION

    Wed. April 10
    6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET
    Indianapolis, IN
    Best for: 13 & up

    Have you noticed that stars are often invisible in a clear night sky? Our discussion with experts from Flanner Farms and Bird Safe Indy will explore the disappearance of dark, starry skies and how nighttime artificial lighting affects Indianapolis's ecosystems, including food production, insects, migratory birds, and our well-being and social connections.

    Organized by draft Creative Space

    register
  • A couple walking on a sandy beach, holding hands, with one person carrying a black bag and trees in the background.

    BEACH CLEAN UP WITH GREATER CLEVELAND AQUARIUM

    Thurs. April 11
    10:00 a.m. CT
    Cleveland, OH
    Best for: 12 & up

    Join us for a beach cleanup to help keep debris out of our waterways. We’ll meet at the Aquarium and walk to Wendy Park to pick up litter. All ages are welcomed, but please dress for the weather and be prepared for a 2.5-mile walk (roundtrip). You can also explore the Aquarium following the program. Each participant will receive one (1) complimentary ticket for free, same-day Aquarium admission.

    Organized by Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and Great Lakes Educators of Aquatic and Marine Science.

    register
  • A group of people, including children and adults wearing masks, are gathered around a display table examining various objects inside a drawer. The attentive expressions and the educational materials suggest an interactive learning experience, possibl

    ASTEROID BENNU SAMPLE STUDY EXHIBIT

    Thurs. April 11 - Sat. April 13
    10:00am - 3:00pm ET
    Chicago, IL
    Best for: age 5 & up

    Visitors to the Grainger Science Hub will have the opportunity to explore related meteorite specimens from the Field’s collection while learning more about the OSIRIS-REx mission, asteroid Bennu, and what Field Museum scientists hope to learn while studying this incredibly rare asteroid sample.

    Organized by Field Museum

    more info
  • a youngster deep in thought with a pen in hand, sitting at a table with what appears to be money-saving charts and some cash in front of them. Seems like they're getting an early start on learning about budgeting and saving - that's so important!

    FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR TEENS

    Fri. April 12
    4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. ET
    Detroit, MI
    Best for: teens

    This interactive financial literacy workshop is designed to equip teens with essential financial skills and knowledge to begin navigating the world of personal finance. Participants will learn about budgeting, saving, understanding credit, and setting financial goals. Through activities and discussion, teens will gain practical insights to make informed financial decisions.

    Organized by HYPE Teen Center & Detroit Public Library

    register
  • The image shows an electronic sensor module connected to a breadboard, with various wires and a servo motor, indicative of a robotics or electronics project.

    MAKER FAIRE LAKE COUNTY 2024

    Sat. April 13
    10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. CT
    Grayslake, IL
    Best for: all ages

    Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these "makers" to show hobbies, experiments, projects.

    We call it the Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth - a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness.

    Organized by College of Lake County Engineering Program

    register

DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that events listed as part of the National STEM Festival, except for the YOU BELONG IN STEM convening and the National STEM Festival EXPO, are associated festival events independently organized and managed. EXPLR PBC Inc. and the U.S. Department of Education do not control or assume responsibility for the content presented in these independent events or on their associated websites and/or social media platforms. (Federal Endorsement Not Implied)

Attendees should be aware that EXPLR and the U.S. Department of Education are not responsible for the management of these events. This includes but is not limited to any injuries, loss of items, reservation systems, scheduling, delays, cancellations, or any changes made to the event details. While we hope each event offers a valuable and enriching experience, we advise attendees to inform themselves about the specifics of each event they plan to attend. While we hope each event offers a valuable and enriching experience, we advise attendees to inform themselves about the specifics of each event they plan to attend.