Winter Break at the Science Mill
Dec
20
to Jan 2

Winter Break at the Science Mill

December 20- January 2
(closed December 24-25 and January 1)

Bundle up for a cool adventure at the Science Mill for December's event, Wild Arctic Animals! Learn how animals survive in some of the coldest places on Earth using clever adaptations like blubber and teamwork. Explore frosty habitats, take part in chilly STEM challenges, and learn about some of nature’s coolest creatures. Come chill with us and uncover the science behind life at the top of the world!

Activities

Imagination Unboxed: Arctic Animals
Bring your imagination and creativity to the Science Mill! Use your engineering skills to build and create unique items using only cardboard, all inspired by our monthly themes. This month’s theme is Wild Arctic Animals. Guests will put their skills to the test by building Arctic animals or their habitats, including polar bears, seals, snowy owls, Arctic foxes, and other creatures from the Arctic.


Polar Protection
Test how animals survive in the coldest places on Earth! Many Arctic and Antarctic creatures have a secret survival tool: blubber. You’ll explore how this natural layer of fat keeps animals warm by creating your own “blubber” experiment. Try your hands (and fingers!) at feeling the difference between insulated and unprotected, and discover why this adaptation is so important for life in icy habitats. Can you stay warm like a polar animal?

Capture the Herd
Step into the role of an Arctic scientist! Use real aerial-style photos to estimate the size of migrating herds across the tundra. Count animals in a few squares, calculate an average, and make your best population estimate, just like researchers using aerial photography to track Arctic migrations and protect wildlife.

Arctic Explorer Field Journal
Grab your very own Arctic Explorer Field Notebook and embark on a frosty adventure through the museum! Track cool facts about polar bears, seals, and snowy owls, solve icy animal puzzles, sketch your favorite Arctic creatures, and record your observations to create your very own Arctic animal journal.

Free with Admission Get your admission tickets today!

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Jan
17
10:00 AM10:00

STEM in Motion

Get ready to move, spin, and test your curiosity! At STEM in Motion, you’ll dive into hands-on challenges that reveal the science behind everyday movement. It’s an exciting way to explore the science of movement—one discovery at a time.

A Skater's Secret

What’s the secret behind those lightning-fast ice-skating spins? Try it yourself on our spin platform and see how pulling your arms in changes your speed. Learn how athletes use angular momentum to wow the crowd!

Bounce Lab

Which ball bounces highest? Make your prediction, then watch us drop different balls from 5 feet and measure their bounce on our wall-sized ruler. Discover how materials and energy affect the bounce in this quick, fun science challenge!

Block, Bowl & Roll

Step up to the lane and put your physics skills to the test! Choose foam blocks of different shapes and sizes to knock down the pins and see how force, motion, and friction come into play. Which shapes will give you a strike every time, and which ones will make you rethink your strategy?

Get Tickets Now!
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Mini Makers- Little Coders: Robot Adventures
Jan
21
10:30 AM10:30

Mini Makers- Little Coders: Robot Adventures

Know any curious explorers under five?

Join us for Mini Makers, the Science Mill’s newest event for young scientists. Each 45-minute Mini Makers session will begin with a themed story time followed by a related hands-on activity designed to tickle their minds and keep their little hands busy!

Perfect for preschoolers and their caregivers, Mini Makers is a great way to introduce early STEM learning in a playful, interactive way – all while having priceless family fun.

Meet Botley the Robot and learn the basics of coding through play! Kids will use movement, books, and hands-on arrow cards to give Botley step-by-step directions, then test their code to see if Botley can follow the path home. A fun introduction to robots, algorithms, sequences, and early coding skills for little learners.

Purchase Tickets Here

The museum will open at 9:30am for Mini Makers families ONLY to give our little ones time to explore.

The workshop will run from 10:30 -11:15am.

 
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Jan
30
9:00 AM09:00

STEM Solutions Showcase (Last Day to Register!)

Innovate & Discover: Engineering Solutions in Central Texas

Welcome, young scientists and engineers! Are you ready to use your super STEM skills to solve real problems right here in Central Texas? This year, we want you to think about how science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) can help design a solution or create something new that makes a difference in our community. Get ready to innovate and discover!

Eligibility

Any student between the ages of 8 and 18 can participate! Whether you're a lone scientist or working with a team, we want to see your amazing ideas.

Entry Fee

A non-refundable entry fee will be required in order to participate.

  • $25 for individual entry

  • $40 for team entry

  • First 7 entries will receive a free trifold board

  • Deadline for entry form and payment is January 30, 2026

Download the Entry Packet
enter as an individual
enter as a team of 2-3 people.
 
 
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Homeschool Day: Wild Wonders
Oct
8
10:00 AM10:00

Homeschool Day: Wild Wonders

Join us as we explore the amazing world of nature’s engineers at Homeschool Day: Wild Wonders! Discover how animals survive and thrive in their unique habitats. From the design of bird beaks to the power of camouflage, we’ll uncover the science behind their extraordinary abilities. Through hands-on activities and engaging learning labs, you’ll explore animal adaptations and the interesting ways different species interact with their environments.

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Mini Makers: Float the Boat
Sep
25
9:30 AM09:30

Mini Makers: Float the Boat

What floats and what sinks? Let’s find out together!

Perfect for children ages 5 and under, this playful hands-on STEM activity invites young explorers to test everyday objects in floating boats and observe what makes them sink. Inspired by the classic story Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen, children and their grown-ups will giggle, guess, and investigate through water-based experiments that spark curiosity, build language, and encourage discovery.

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Labor Day Weekend: Physics of Flight
Aug
30
to Sep 1

Labor Day Weekend: Physics of Flight

Scientists have always been fascinated by flight and have spent centuries creating solutions for launching stones, jets, and even humans into the air. From August 30 to September 1, step into the shoes of a physicist by exploring the forces of flight through fun, special activities like quadcopter demonstrations, exploring aerofoils, launching Pitsco rockets, and more!

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Sips + STEM: Shibori Dyeing Workshop for Adults
Aug
16
4:30 PM16:30

Sips + STEM: Shibori Dyeing Workshop for Adults

Join us this August for our special adults-only event series, Sips & STEM, where science meets creativity over a glass of Texas Hill Country’s finest wine.

This month, we are diving into the ancient art (and science!) of shibori dyeing, a Japanese technique that uses folding, twisting, and binding fabric to create unique indigo patterns.

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Back to School STEMFest
Aug
2
10:00 AM10:00

Back to School STEMFest

Kick off the school year with a fun-filled day at the Science Mill! Join us for hands-on STEAM activities where kids, parents, and educators can explore new ideas to bring home or into the classroom. Plus, there will be a Teacher’s Lounge and giveaways to show extra appreciation to our hardworking educators before they dive back into the school year.

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Imagination Unboxed: Whose Bones Are They Anyway?
May
10
10:00 AM10:00

Imagination Unboxed: Whose Bones Are They Anyway?

This month's theme is Mysteries of Science! Guests will put their forensic anthropology skills to the test, using clues from images of skeletal remains of various animals to determine which creature the bones once belonged to. Then, using nothing but cardboard, some colorful tape, and their imaginations, they'll recreate the mystery animal in 3D.

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Pollinator Palooza
Apr
26
to Apr 27

Pollinator Palooza

Can you hear that buzz? It’s Pollinator Palooza at the Science Mill!

Join us on April 26 & 27 to celebrate the incredible role of pollinators in our ecosystem. Dive into family-friendly hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and unforgettable encounters that highlight why these pollinators are essential to our planet!

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Spring into STEAM: Spring Break at the Science Mill
Mar
8
to Mar 23

Spring into STEAM: Spring Break at the Science Mill

Spring is here, and it's the perfect time to unleash your creativity and curiosity at the Science Mill! Join us for Spring into STEAM, a vibrant, hands-on event where science, technology, engineering, art, and math collide. Explore our interactive exhibits and dive into exciting hands-on activities that blend the best of art and science.

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Imagination Unboxed: Collaborative Cardboard City
Feb
15
to Feb 17

Imagination Unboxed: Collaborative Cardboard City

Think outside the box and use your engineering skills to build and create unique items using only cardboard. This month's theme is Collaborative Cardboard City. Guests contribute to a growing cityscape by designing and constructing individual buildings, landmarks, or infrastructure out of cardboard. The city evolves throughout the weekend, showcasing creativity and teamwork.

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STEAM-ing into 10 Years: The Science Mill's 10th Birthday
Feb
7
to Feb 9

STEAM-ing into 10 Years: The Science Mill's 10th Birthday

To mark our 10-year milestone, we're rolling out something truly special with our friends, the Tinplate Trackers of Austin: a stunning display of model trains! Explore intricate, miniature landscapes, watch as these tiny trains zip around detailed tracks, and discover the science and engineering behind these mechanical marvels.

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Snow Day 2025: Frosty Fun Fest
Jan
18
10:00 AM10:00

Snow Day 2025: Frosty Fun Fest

We are SNOW excited for this year’s Snow Day! Join us on Saturday, January 18th, 2025, as we sled into a flurry of fun science activities, including a snow pit with 28 tons of real snow, a mini sled derby, a snowball slingshot, the Fros-TEE Challenge, warm treats, and frosty science demonstrations. Bring your mittens, friends, family, and curiosity for a day full of wintery excitement!

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