Although Frosty the Snowman can’t find a home outside in South Florida, that doesn’t mean there isn’t snow to be found. The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium recently announced a holiday activities line-up that is sure to have elves of all ages kicking up their heels into the New Year. Beginning on Saturday, December 21 and continuing for three full weekends, the Science Center will offer plenty of winter wonders.
“We are continually striving to be a busy hub of informal science education opportunities,” stated Lew Crampton, Science Center CEO. “Aside from bringing in blockbuster traveling exhibits, such as our current exhibit Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, we are constantly wrapping education lessons into themed weekend events. The holidays offer an excellent opportunity to engage young minds about relevant topics, such as how snow is created. Science is truly all around us, and we are routinely following our mission to ‘open every mind to science.’”
Beginning on Saturday, December 21, snow will be in the forecast for elves of all ages as the Science Center will offer guests an opportunity to create their own snow starting at 1:30 p.m. Immediately following the snow demonstration, visitors can watch a liquid nitrogen show at 2:30 p.m., followed by a winter gumdrops craft at 3:30 p.m. Similar activities including grow your own crystals, paper snowflake crafts and marshmallow necklaces will rotate for a complete winter wonders experience for three consecutive weekends – including December 21 – 22; December 28 – 29; and January 4 – 5.
And if parents need a break from family time to catch up on holiday shopping, the Science Center will be offering Winter Wonders Workshop mini-camp sessions for children aged 4 – 12 years. The mini-camp sessions, each having a different theme, are two days per session from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily and extended hours of exploration are available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cost is $90 per mini-camp for non-members and $80 per mini-camp for members. Mini-camp sessions begin on December 23 – 24, with Winter Science Treats, offering children an opportunity to make-and-take holiday sweet treats such as coconut cake-pop snowballs and liquid nitrogen mint ice cream. Mini-camp will resume the following week, due to Christmas, on December 30 -31with Frigid Space, a session designed to explore the depths of space by creating dry ice smoking comets and their own constellation viewer. The last session, Ice and Crystals, a ‘cool’ exploration into ice and crystals, will be on January 2 – 3.
Additionally, the Science Center will be hosting ‘Noon Year’s Eve’ on Tuesday, December 31. ‘Noon Year’s Eve’ is a special opportunity for young Einsteins to partake in the festive celebration of New Year’s – without straining to keep their eyes open hours past their bedtime. Special activities begin at 11 a.m. and include an aluminum foil boat competition, Titanic sand art, dry ice apple cider, a liquid nitrogen show and a grow your own crystals lab.
Nights at the Museum, an always popular monthly event at the Science Center will also feature a winter wonders theme. Taking place on the last Friday of the month, December 27, from 6 – 9 p.m., the evening will offer plenty of chilly crafts – including Polar Bear paws and penguin feet lab, make-and-take snow and a snowflake craft. Monthly Science Nights offers science-lovers an opportunity to star gaze at the night sky while enjoying themed crafts and activities.
The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, formerly known as the South Florida Science Museum, recently completed a $5 million expansion and renovation and is currently hosting Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition in its newly expanded exhibit hall. With a new mission to “open every mind to science,” the Science Center features more than 50 hands-on educational exhibits, an 8,000 gallon fresh and salt water aquarium- featuring both local and exotic marine life, a digital planetarium, conservation research station, Florida exhibit hall and an interactive Everglades exhibit. All permanent exhibits will be open during the Titanic’s special showing.
During Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, admission to the Science Center is $15 for adults, $11.50 for children ages 3 to 12, and $13.50 for seniors over the age of 62. SFSCA members can enjoy the exhibit for free. Admission includes Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition as well as the general admission to the rest of the Science Center and the on-going holiday activities. Nights at the Museum is a special event, and admission for members is $6.50 for adults and free for children and non-member admission is $13.50 for adults, $12 for seniors over the age of 62 and $10 for children.
The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is located at 4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach and is open Monday – Friday from 9am-5pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-6pm. For more information, call 561-832-1988 or visit www.sfsciencecenter.org. Like the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @SFScienceCenter.
To register for a mini-camp session, please email: programs@sfsciencecenter.org, or call: (561) 832-2026.
Holiday Music Magic planetarium show – daily at 3 p.m.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
- · *Special Titanic reenactors will be on-site throughout the day
- · 1:30 p.m. – Make your own snow
- · 2:30 p.m. – Liquid Nitrogen Show
- · 3:30 p.m. – Winter Gumdrops
Sunday, December 22, 2013
- · *Special Titanic reenactors will be on-site throughout the day
- · 1:30 p.m. Grow your own crystals
- · 2:30 p.m. Liquid Nitrogen Show
- · 3:30 p.m. Paper snowflakes
Saturday, December 28, 2013
- · 1:30 p.m. – Make your own snow
- · 2:30 p.m. – Liquid Nitrogen Show
- · 3:30 p.m. – Marshmallow necklaces
Sunday, December 29, 2013
- · 1:30 p.m. – Grow your own crystals
- · 2:30 p.m. – Liquid Nitrogen Show
- · 3:30 p.m. – Winter Gumdrops
Saturday, January 4, 2014
- · 1:30 p.m. – Make your own snow
- · 2:30 p.m. – Liquid Nitrogen Show
- · 3:30 p.m. – Marshmallow necklaces
Sunday, January 5, 2014
- · 1:30 p.m. – Grow your own crystals
- · 2:30 p.m. – Liquid Nitrogen Show
- · 3:30 p.m. – Winter Gumdrops