Shark Week
Jul
25
to Jul 29

Shark Week

This is a Science Mill adventure you can sink your teeth into! Encounter the predator we all love to fear when you search for shark teeth in the Fossil Dig. Separate fact from fiction with our Shark Week factoids. Watch giant megalodon shark teeth print on our 3D printer, and see if you can figure out where the name “megalodon” comes from.

Join us on Friday, July 27 at 11am, 1pm and 3pm for a special presentation by Dr. Jessica Dutton, Texas State University professor and shark researcher!

Be sure to catch a special showing of Great White Shark 3D, too! Discover the truth behind this powerful underwater creature and why great white sharks are misunderstood. The film will play at select times throughout Shark Week, and Meerkats 3D will continue to run in between showings of Great White Shark 3D.

All Shark Week activities are free with admission.

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Dr. Kold
Aug
4
10:00 AM10:00

Dr. Kold

Join us when Dr. Kold demonstrates the amazing transformative powers of liquid nitrogen. Witness freezing science experiments, and discover how to make ice cream in under a minute. If combining fun and learning makes you hungry, you’re in luck - everyone in the audience will get a scoop of ice cream!

Dr. Kold’s presentations are at 11am and 1pm, lasts approximately 45 minutes, and is open to all ages. This event is free with admission, but seating in the theater is limited. We recommend arriving early!

Note: Due to the Dr. Kold event, we’re adjusting our 3D movie schedule for the day. On Saturday, August 4, Meerkats 3D is showing at noon, 2pm, 2:30pm, 3pm and 4pm.

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The Surprising Story of Sea Stars' Sticky Feet with Tumble Science Podcast for Kids
Aug
18
11:00 AM11:00

The Surprising Story of Sea Stars' Sticky Feet with Tumble Science Podcast for Kids

Often referred to as “Radiolab for kids,” Tumble is a pioneering science podcast that explores stories of science discovery. Co-hosts Lindsay Patterson and Marshall Escamilla will be presenting “The Surprising Story of Sea Stars’ Sticky Feet.” The story was inspired by a question from a listener: “How do sea stars grip onto rocks?” The answer leads to a discovery that turned 200 years of accepted science on its head. With help from a leading sea star scientist, interactive games, and original music, Lindsay and Marshall tell a story of how simple questions and experiments can challenge what we think we know to be true. There will also be a special opportunity to record a question for the podcast, after the show. 

Seating is limited. We recommend signing up in advance here to reserve your seat.

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Open July 4th
Jul
4
10:00 AM10:00

Open July 4th

Spend the 4th of July in Johnson City!

Start your day with the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce Fourth of July Parade around the Blanco County Courthouse at 10am and end it with a fireworks show at the Blanco County Fairgrounds at 9:15pm.

Whatever will you do in between the parade and fireworks? We have a thought…

Visit the Science Mill on July 4th for some STEM-filled summertime fun!

  • We have new - and back-by-popular-demand - activities on the floor every day this summer. Make our robot marionette dance, test your physics mettle and knock a few pigs off the mountain, or channel your inner Mario in our live action Mario game!

  • See our African Spurred Tortoises eat lunch at 2:15pm, and hear a talk from our staff biologist. 

There’s so much to do at the Science Mill this summer, and we can’t wait to spend the 4th with you!

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Get on the Right Side (of Your Brain)!
Jun
23
12:00 PM12:00

Get on the Right Side (of Your Brain)!

Johnson City’s own Echo Gallery presents a brain-bending workshop! John Sone and Linda Haddock lead a drawing exercise that engages both your verbal system and your visual system. Explore how it feels to switch from your dominant hand to your less dominant, and what that mental shift means for both your art and your state of mind.

This workshop is free with admission, and open to ages 9 and up (children under 9 can participate with a parent). 30 minute workshops will be held at noon, 1pm and 2pm. Spaces are limited. Email us at programs@sciencemill.org to reserve your spot. See more art events in June.

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Cyanotype Making
Jun
16
11:00 AM11:00

Cyanotype Making

A Smith Gallery and the Science Mill bring you a perfect summer project: cyanotype making! Use sun and water to turn a dyed piece of fabric into art. At 11:30am we’ll all work together to create a 9’ x 9’ cyanotype masterpiece. Leave your mark by using part of your body or a prop. You can also create a personal 6” x 6” cyanotype picture to take home. Both cyanotype activities are free with admission. The individual cloths will be available while supplies last, limit 1 per person. See more art events in June.

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Trash to Treasure
Jun
2
10:00 AM10:00

Trash to Treasure

Join world famous artist, McKay Otto, at this one-of-a-kind art class at the Science Mill! Bring your old toys, recyclables, unwanted household items and your creativity. Get ready to create your own masterpiece! Ages 8+ are invited to attend. Two classes offered at 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. Class is free with admission, but space is limited. Reserve your spot now by emailing programs@sciencemill.org. See more art events in June.

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FUN WITH CHEMISTRY FEATURES WOMEN IN NATURAL SCIENCES
May
5
10:00 AM10:00

FUN WITH CHEMISTRY FEATURES WOMEN IN NATURAL SCIENCES

Join us for a day dedicated to women in STEM. Fun with Chemistry featuring the UT Women in Natural Sciences group will be on site with hands-on activities and shows. These hair-raising, mind-melting experiments will blow you away! All activities and shows are free with museum admission. Sound like an amazing day? It gets even better! Girl Scouts of Central Texas and the Science Mill are teaming up to bring you a special day at the museum! More information here

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Science of Sports
Apr
14
10:00 AM10:00

Science of Sports

Have you ever wondered how high you can jump? How accurately you can kick a ball? How hard you can hit?! Test your balance, measure your reflex, critique your form and improve your focus at this all day event at the Science Mill! For one day only, young and old alike can explore our specially designed Science of Sports stations. Measure your raw ability, get tips to improve your skills and try out new techniques backed by science.

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Spring Break- Robot Mania
Mar
12
to Mar 16

Spring Break- Robot Mania

Join the Science Mill for Robot Mania during spring break (March 12-16)! Explore the world of robotics and participate in 10 hands-on robot building, programming, coding and battling stations. Activities will include conquering an obstacle course with robotic cars, programming tiny robots, robotic painting with watercolors, battling flipper bots, and more! Plus, see the Science Mill’s new 30-foot-tall Colossal Robotic Hand! The Science Mill will be open 10am until 5pm Monday-Friday of Spring Break week, plus regular hours on Saturday and Sunday. Robotics activities 11am-3pm, Monday-Friday.

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Engineering Day
Feb
25
12:00 PM12:00

Engineering Day

Discover the world of engineering through the eyes of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Design and build with a host of hands-on activities led by real life professionals from Noon to 4:00 PM. Can you design a gumdrop dome that holds its shape? How will your paper tower weather gusts of wind? What's the key to building a skyscraper that doesn't topple? Find out the answer to these questions and so much more at this interactive day at the Mill. Learn tricks of the trade, basic principles of engineering and what a day in the life of a civil engineer actually looks like. In addition, there will be showings of Dream Big, a heartfelt story of human ingenuity, throughout the day. This event is free with admission to the Science Mill.

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Colossal Robotic Hand Grand Opening
Feb
10
10:00 AM10:00

Colossal Robotic Hand Grand Opening

Be one of the first to see the newest amazing exhibit at the Science Mill’s outdoor Science & Art Park, a 30-foot-tall stainless steel robotic hand! With a remote joystick mimicking the robot hand, kids can easily operate this exhibit making each of these giant fingers move, much like their own. This exhibit is a powerful, interactive icon of creativity, engineering and design.

The Colossal Robotic Hand is from more than 500 individual stainless steel triangles! Want to know more about the design, building and installation of this massive kinetic sculpture? Science Mill creative director and the brain behind the hand, Zac Zamora, will be available to answer questions Saturday, Feb. 10 from 10am-12pm.

Additionally, visitors can also make a fun working hand with commonly found materials and watch 3D printing of components of prosthetic hands used by the e-NABLE community for those in need of an upper limb assistive device. Plus, explore the museum’s 50+ interactive exhibits and watch a 3D movie.

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Homeschool Day - Be A Maker Or Inventor
Jan
11
10:00 AM10:00

Homeschool Day - Be A Maker Or Inventor

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 - BE A MAKER OR INVENTOR

Is your child a problem solver? An inventor or tinkerer? Does she like to take things apart and is intrigued by finding new and inventive ways to put them back together? An industrial design pro shows kids how to harness this curiosity in a career that's all about imagining and inventing.

What is Industrial Design? Industrial designers combine art, business and engineering to develop the concepts for manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, electronics, toys and even exhibits for museums like the Science Mill. Industrial design pro Erich Rose gives kids an inside look into the world of industrial design and how it led him to creating fun, interactive museum exhibits for children.  10:30 am and 12:30 pm

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Discovery Day Camp
Dec
29
9:00 AM09:00

Discovery Day Camp

Bring 3D Creations to Life

3D Digital Design Studio. Have you heard about creating cool stuff with 3D printing and want to try it? Let your imagination be your guide and harness your inner designer using Tinkercad software to create printable 3D designs.

Doodle your Dreams. Take your two-dimensional sketches and doodle them using 3D Pens! Your artistry and skill take your design to the next level and develop a unique, 3D doodle.  

Devise Electronic Devices. Now make your creations move, buzz and light up! Use creative electronic blocks, called littleBits, to explore 3D invention design.

Register Here!

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