Spooky Science Programming

Join Great Lakes Science Center’s mad scientists as they conjure up fun for all ages during the weeks leading up to Halloween.

On October 24 and 25, guests can take part in spooky activities including:

Magic of Matter Science Show – Discover how matter changes from one state to another as we experiment with chemistry and liquid nitrogen to uncover the “magic” behind why some materials behave in unexpected ways.
Van De Graaff Generator Cart – Explore static electricity with a very energetic device that produces hair-raising results!
Peppergram Cart – Use uniquely shaped objects, geometry, and light to explore the science behind 3-D illusions.
Spooky Pumpkin Patch Scavenger Hunt – Track down hidden pumpkins throughout the museum and win a prize if you find them all!
Mather Ghost Hunt – Ghosts are hiding on the Steamship William G. Mather! If you can track them all down, you’ll win a prize! (Mather admission is an additional charge.)
Shadow Room Costume Pieces – Choose spooky costume props from the bin and strike a pose in our Shadow Room exhibit to see your costume come alive!
Bat Training Helicopters – Use materials themed to the season to make unique paper helicopters!

Families can also do a little experimenting of their own during one of two Halloween-themed family workshops on Saturdays and Sundays in October. Explore the chemistry of candy by dissolving popular candies and working with the resulting colors to make art during the Candy Chromatography Workshop. The workshop will be offered at 1 p.m. on October 10, 11, 17, 24, 25 and 31, and at 3 p.m. on October 3, 4, 10, 11 and 17. There is a $10 materials fee for this workshop.

Or more adventurous families can investigate the structure of a real sheep brain during the Sheep Brain Dissection Workshop using dissection tools and techniques, guided by Science Center staff. The dissection workshop will be held at 3 p.m. on October 24, 25 and 31. The cost is $20 per pair of guests, which includes one sheep brain. Additional specimens are available for $5. Families can add workshops when they check in at the box office.