Sep 9, 2016 6 min read

The Carnegie Science Center is offering a variety of activities for people of all ages. Here’s what’s on tap this fall:

Late Night Laser Parties – A laser DJ will crank up the volume and blast the bass for a live laser concert in the Buhl Planetarium. Along with the impressive visual effects, there will be two floors of exhibits and special themed activities before each show.

Shows include Laser Floyd, today; Laser 80s, Oct. 8; and Laser Electronica, Nov. 5. Cost is $7 for members and $10 for nonmembers for one show. Additional shows are $5.

Munchkin Mondays – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 12 to Oct. 31. Activities for 2- to 6-year-olds include story time, make-and-takes and planetarium and live demonstration. All are included with general admission.

Café Scientifique – Cutting-edge science discussions will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. as follows:

• Sept. 1 – Dr. Morgan Fedorchak, University of Pittsburgh assistant professor, “Novel Drug Delivery Systems for the Eye.”

• Oct. 3 – Timothy Verstynen, Carnegie Mellon University professor, “Neuroscience of Baseball.”

• Nov. 7 – Michael Whiteman, sports performance director for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, “The Body’s Performance in Sports.”

• Dec. 5 – Diane Turnshek, astronomer at Carnegie Mellon University, “Light Pollution Solutions.”

Admission is free.

Just for the adults: 21+ Nights – There will be music, science demonstrations and a cash bar as follows: Back to School, Sept. 16; Rocky Horror, Oct. 14; and Glass Workshop, Nov. 11. Fee is $10 in advance and $15 at the door. There is an additional fee for the glass workshop.

Williams Girls Rock Science: An Exploration of STEM – Sept. 24 and 25. There will be hands-on science activities and a STEM chat with professionals in the field. The event is designed to get girls of all ages interested in science and technology.

Laser Halloween – Oct. 1 – Oct. 31. Cost is $2 for members and $8 for nonmembers.

BodyWorks – Opening Oct. 15, the new gallery will use interactive exhibits and live shows and demonstrations to explore the blood, guts, bones, brains, senses and mechanics of human biology. Visitors can pump a heart, stretch intestines, fool the senses, make a skeleton dance and see preserved human organs.

ChemFest – Oct. 21 and 22. ChemFest will explore the reasons why chemistry matters through hands-on activities, interactive demonstrations and presentations. Visitors will learn how to solve mysteries through forensics, plus have the chance to meet industry professionals and learn about careers. ChemFest activities are included with general admission.

Jammie Jam – 5:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 22. There will be themed activities for 2- to 6-year-olds, including make-and-take activities, a live theater show, story time and a snack. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas. Cost is $15 per child and $10 per adult.

Halloween Bash Sleepover – Oct. 28. Participants will experiment with candy, make ghosts fly and concoct potions. Activities include a spooky live science demonstration, a family Halloween laser show, a late-night snack and a continental breakfast. Cost is $39 per person. Call 412-237-1637 to register.

Pumpkin Smash – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 5. The event will feature explosive, pumpkin-related demonstrations throughout the day.

Light-Up Night Sleepover – Nov. 18. In addition to viewing the lights, there will be demonstrations and science-related activities. Cost is $39 per person. Call 412-237-1637 to register.

Parents-Kids Adventures – 1 to 2 p.m. for 4- and 5-year-olds with an adult as follows:

• Oct. 10 – Me and My Shadow;

• Nov. 7 – Curious Chemistry;

• Dec. 5 – It’s Magnetic.

Cost is $10 for members and $12 for nonmembers.

Preschool Fall Semesters – from 10 a.m. to noon for 4- and 5-year-olds as follows:

• Session I: Little Builders – Sept. 27 and every Tuesday in October.

• Session II: Seussical Science – Every Tuesday in November and Dec. 6.

Cost is $50 for members and $65 for nonmembers.

Family Workshops – from 1 to 3 p.m. for those 6 and older as follows:

• Oct. 2 – Glowing Science;

• Nov. 6 – The Science of Movies;

• Dec. 11 – LED Ornaments.

Call 412-237-1637 for cost.

Homeschool workshops – from 1 to 3 p.m. for 6- to 10-year-olds as follows:

• Sept. 22 – It’s Electric;

• Oct. 20 – Spy School;

• Nov. 17 – Space Out!

• Dec. 15 – Junior Robotics.

Cost is $15 for members and $18 for nonmembers.

Tech programs will be held as follows:

• Oct. 15 and 16 – Minecraft for 7- to 9-year-olds.

• Dec. 10 and 11 Minecraft for 10- to 12-year-olds.

Programs are held from 1 to 4 p.m., and cost is $45 for both days.

• Oct. 22 – App Design for those 12 and older, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $45.

• Nov. 5 – Programming with Scratch for 6- to 10-year-olds, 1 to 4 p.m. and 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 11. Cost is $45.

Workshops for Girl Scouts – Cost is $20 per session unless otherwise noted, and will be held as follows:

• Oct. 1 – Brownies Wonders of the Journey, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Oct. 8 – Cadette Breathe Journey, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Nov. 5 – Junior Entertainment Technology, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Nov. 19 – Brownie Home Scientist, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Dec. 3 – Junior Detective, 9 a.m. to noon.

New Girl Scout Patch Workshops – will be held as follows:

• Oct. 8 – Brownie Girls and Engineering, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Nov. 12 – Junior Girls and Astronomy, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Dec. 10 – Cadette Girls and Robotics, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $45.

Workshops for Boy Scouts and Webelos – Cost is $20 per session unless otherwise noted, and will be held as follows:

• Oct. 1 – Oceanography, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Oct. 15 – Webelos Earth Rocks, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Oct. 22 – Environmental Science, 9 a.m. to noon, and chemistry, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Nov. 12 – Astronomy, 1 to 4 p.m.

• Nov. 19 – Robotics, 1 to 4 p.m. Cost is $45.

• Dec. 3 – Webelos in Science, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Dec. 10 – Signs, Signals and Codes, 1 to 4 p.m.

Tour Your Future – This program gives girls 11 to 17 years old the opportunity to meet women who work in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Girls can visit a variety of workplaces to explore diverse careers ranging from astronomy and architecture to computer science and medicine. Visit CanTeenGirl.org for the current schedule and details. Call 412-237-1637 to register. Cost is $5 per girl.

Visit www.CarnegieScienceCenter.org for more information.