Enjoy free access to exhibits and activities at Austin-area museums!

Girl Scouts of Central Texas and the Science Mill are teaming up to bring you a special day at the museum! All Girl Scouts, from Daisies through Cadettes, are invited to join us at the Science Mill on Saturday, September 28th, 10am - 4pm for self-guided STEM activities, chances to earn patches and badges, and special workshops.

Pre-purchase admission tickets and workshops to guarantee your spot!

Career Expert 

Jim Myers, P.E.

Careers in Chemical and Environmental Engineering

Presentation Times: 11:00 & 12:00

Jim Myers has more than 35 years of experience in chemical engineering and environmental regulatory programs with positions in industry, state government and consulting. He has been certified as a “testifying expert” in air pollution regulation and has served as a technical resource to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) as a member of various advisory groups and committees. Now retired, Jim focuses on fishing and golf (and sharing his expertise with students!).

 Hands-on Activities

Stations run continuously from 10am-2pm

Floating Art 

Have you ever envisioned your drawings coming to life and moving around on your paper? In this activity, your drawings will move around when you make them float on water...all due to chemistry!

Chemistry in a Bag 

Demos at 10:30, 11:30, 1:00

Interact with a Science Mill Educator as they explain the basics of physical and chemical changes. They will also be demonstrating an exothermic and endothermic chemical reaction. Come learn, see and “feel” the difference!

Invisible Ink Secret Message 

Step into the spy world and see how chemistry is used in secret missions! Use our invisible ink pens to write a message then use a revealing agent to unveil your secret!

Learning Labs (Limited space available - reserve today!)

Kinder-2nd Grade - Chromatography Butterflies, 10:30am, lasts 45 minutes

Come explore the world of chromatography which is how chemists separate mixtures.  Be a chemist and use chromatography paper to separate the various pigments in markers.  Once done, turn your chemistry project into a butterfly you can take home.

3rd-5th Grade - Dirty Ducks, 11:30am, lasts one hour

Investigate the chemistry of how soap interacts with the water and fat in different milks affecting the surface tension.  Take this new knowledge into a secondary investigation as you test different soaps to see which works best to clean up the oil spill from your dirty duck.

6th-12th Grade - Edible Water Bottles, 1pm, lasts one hour

Learn about the chemistry of spherification for designing drinks in edible packaging.  Design your recipe, test “and taste” your creation, and explore ways to design environmentally conscious packaging. 

Yep, we’re bat crazy and it’s a good thing! Come find out why bats are one of our area’s most beneficial native mammals and meet some of these special creatures at the Science Mill!

Southern Wildlife Rehab will be here with their Bat Cave full of unique exhibits and two special presentations with… live bats!

Plus! Experience navigating like a bat with our sonar simulator challenge! We'll have lots of hands-on activities that you do not want to miss, and…

Visitors who dress up in their Halloween costumes will receive FREE Excavation Kits from our Science Store!*
*While supplies last.