The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is heating up the holidays with seasonally-themed activities, camps and special events through February 2021. Santa’s helpers of all ages can enjoy the wide range of seasonal offerings, including making their own snow, rocking out to favorite festive classics with laser light shows in the planetarium and experimenting with frigid science demos.
The highlight of the season is “Noon Year’s Eve,” a socially distant family event to help ring in the new year outdoors on the Fisher Family Science Trail. Staying up to bring in 2021 will be easy with a midday dance party, science crafts, themed activities and food. A dry ice apple cider toast at noon will usher in the new year. The event runs from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday, December 31. Event is included with paid admission and is free for members.
For the second year, the Science Center is partnering with Casey Cares, an organization offering critically ill children positive experiences and support. The community is asked to donate a pair of pajamas to the science center between December 26th – 31st to receive a $5 off admission voucher to their Noon Year’s Eve event. All donated pairs of pajamas should be new with tags intact and sized for kids aged anywhere from 18 months to 18-years-old.
On the second Friday of each month, the Science Center is hosting a new outdoor event on the five-acre Science Trail called Laser Lights & Bites at the Cox Amphitheatre. The series kicks off this Friday, December 11 with a Winter Wonderland theme. Families can sing and dance along to holiday favorites with plenty of room to socially distance outside and even enjoy a food truck and twilight mini golf on the Conservation Course. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets to set up on the amphitheater lawn.
Winter camps are scheduled until February at the Science Center for ages 7-12. From robot races to the science behind Winter Olympic events, there is something for everyone.
“Safety is our number one priority at the Science Center,” said Kate Arrizza, president and CEO of the Science Center. “We held summer camp earlier this year without incident, and we are committed to upholding the highest cleanliness standards.”
Camp scholarships are available for Title 1 students. Visit www.sfsciencecenter.org/camps for more information.
Guests can also experience the blockbuster exhibit, Real Bodies: The Exhibition, which showcases real preserved human bodies, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful weather by playing a round of mini golf on the Conservation Course, named one of the Travel Channel’s top 13 mini golf courses in the country.
Admission to the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is $17.95 for adults $15.95 for seniors, $13.95 for kids ages 3-12 and free for members and kids under 3. Planetarium shows and mini golf are not included in general admission pricing.
The mission of the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is to “open every mind to science” and in addition to its fresh and saltwater aquarium and new backyard Science Trail, the indoor/outdoor venue features more than 100 hands-on educational exhibits, a digital planetarium, conservation research station, Florida exhibit hall, Pre-K focused “Discovery Center,” an interactive Everglades exhibit and the 18-hole Conservation Course – an outdoor putting course with science-focused education stations. The newest addition includes a $2.5 million permanent exhibit, “Journey Through the Human Brain” and features the most advanced neuroscience research and technology in the world. Real Bodies: The Exhibition runs through April 11, 2021.
For more information about the Holiday Schedule, the Conservation Course, or other Science Center programming, please call 561-832-1988 or visit www.sfsciencecenter.org. Like the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram @SFScienceCenter.
Please see below for specific information about the seasonal activities now being offered at the Science Center.
Winter Camps
Upcoming one-day school break camps:
January 18th, 2021: Arctic Adventures (ages 7-12) – A cool front has blown across South Florida, providing us with the perfect opportunity for science! Come chill with our team of winter scientists as we conduct some of the “coolest” science experiments on the planet. $50/non-member & $45/member.
February 1st, 2021: Robot Races (ages 7-12) – The robots are coming, the robots are coming! Take back control of these programmable machines by learning the basics of circuits and robotics and restore peace at the Science Center. $60/non-member & $55/member.
Winter Mini Camps
December 21st – 24th, 2020: Going for the Gold (ages 7-12) – It’s the science of Olympic proportions! Take a closer look at the winter games and learn some of the science behind select Olympic events. $205/non-member & $185/member.
December 28th – 31st, 2020: Ice Crystal Countdown (ages 7-12) – Crystallize your imagination as we learn how cold things can get. From liquid nitrogen to absolute zero, this week is sure to make you shiver. $205/non-member & $185/member.
Camps run from 9:00am-4:00pm. Before/Aftercare (7:30am-5:30pm) is an additional charge of $10 per day.
*‘TIS THE SEASON FOR SCIENCE INFO, DATES AND TIMES*
“Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
“Let it Snow” features a new variety of festive classics from Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry to Burl Ives and Brenda Lee and includes a stunning multi-media finale by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. The soundtrack is visually enhanced with thematic animation, laser imagery, special effects and all-dome scenery in the audiovisual setting of our newly upgraded, state-of-the-art Planetarium. Daily showtimes from November 27th – January 3rd. Click here to view the full Planetarium schedule.
Laser Light Holiday Show
Come enjoy the brand-new Laser Light Show system in the full-dome planetarium and out to the holiday classics you know and love! Daily showtimes from November 27th – January 3rd. Click here to view the full Laser Holiday show schedule.
Frigid Science Demonstration
See physical changes occur right before your eyes as you view these ‘chilling’ states of matter experiments.
Winter Wonder Crafts and Anatomy-themed STEM Activities
Be amazed with a variety of cool winter-themed science labs and learn all about the body with anatomy STEM-based activities.
Geometric Snowflakes
Visitors will craft their very own custom snowflakes! Be sure to check out the amazing shapes within your unique design.
Make-N-Take Snow
Snow in Florida? Yes! Watch as your own winter snow forms right before your eyes.
2020-21 Dates and Times
Friday, December 11th
6 – 9pm- Winter Wonderland Laser Lights and Bites
Saturday, December 12
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
12:30pm – Animal Encounter
1:30pm – Frigid Science Demonstrations
Sunday, December 13
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
12:30pm – Anatomy Program
1:30pm – Frigid Science Demonstrations
Saturday, December 19
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
12:30pm – Animal Encounter
1:30pm – Frigid Science Demonstrations
Sunday, December 20
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
12:30pm – Anatomy Program
1:30pm – Frigid Science Demonstrations
Monday, December 21
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
12:00pm – Frigid Science Demonstrations
1:30pm – Animal Encounter
Tuesday, December 22
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
12:00pm – Frigid Science Demonstrations
1:30pm – Anatomy Program
Wednesday, December 23
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
12:00pm – Frigid Science Demonstrations
1:30pm – Anatomy Program
Thursday, December 24
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
12:00pm – Frigid Science Demonstrations
1:30pm – Animal Encounter
Saturday, December 26
10am – 6pm: Half Price for Heroes
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
12:30pm – Animal Encounter
1:30pm – Frigid Science Demonstrations
Sunday, December 27
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
12:30pm – Anatomy Program
1:30pm – Frigid Science Demonstrations
Monday, December 28
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
12:00pm – Frigid Science Demonstrations
1:30pm – Animal Encounter
Tuesday, December 29
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
12:00pm – Frigid Science Demonstrations
1:30pm – Anatomy Program
Wednesday, December 30
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
12:00pm – Frigid Science Demonstrations
1:30pm – Anatomy Program
Thursday, December 31
10:00am – 1:00pm — NOON Year’s Eve Celebration
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
Friday, January 1
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – Laser Holiday Planetarium Show
12:00pm – Frigid Science Demonstrations
1:30pm – Anatomy Program
Saturday, January 2
9:00am-10:00am – Sensory Saturdays
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
12:30pm – Animal Encounter
1:30pm – Frigid Science Demonstrations
Sunday, January 3
11:30am & 2:30pm – Winter Wonder STEM Activity
12pm & 4pm – “Let it Snow” Planetarium Show
12:30pm – Anatomy Program
1:30pm – Frigid Science Demonstration