Visitor Center Experiences

To enhance your self-guided experience, our staff and volunteers will occasionally conduct special “pop-up” programs and activities for guests of all ages to explore science topics and NASA missions. All experiences are free of charge. 

Gallery Programs

Look for an informal educator and our curiosity cart in the main exhibit hall to complete a challenge or engage in fun, hands-on science demonstrations.

Science On a Sphere Solar System Tour

Take a self-guided tour of our local solar system and explore past, present, and future NASA planetary missions.

Special Events and Programs

Join us in one of our upcoming events or programs to explore a special STEM topic. All programs are free; those requiring advanced registration will be noted in the event description.

April

Artemis’ Legacy (Homeschool event)

April 14 – 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Homeschool groups are invited to register for Artemis’ Legacy: The Next Giant Leap, a special on-site event specifically for homeschool-aged students. 

Hunt for ice, navigate craters, and master space survival in this epic homeschool adventure.

Pack your gear and prep the lander—we’re heading to the most mysterious territory on the lunar surface. In this session, students won’t just learn about the Moon; they’ll join a simulated mission to the Lunar South Pole, a region of jagged peaks and craters that haven’t seen sunlight in billions of years.

Replicate the Artemis mission with these hands-on stations:

• The Hunt for “Blue Gold”: Investigate why NASA is racing to find water ice hidden in the shadows of the Moon’s impact craters.
• Rover Navigation: Map out and traverse through treacherous, boulder-strewn terrain using real topographic data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO).
• Survive the Moon Escape Room: Our mission is a go, but major challenges lie ahead. In our Moon Adventure Game, traverse the dangerous lunar surface studying seismic data to learn where moonquakes are originating, mine the ice that you discover along the way to provide valuable energy to your base, and restore power to save the mission!

This is a free event, but registration is required to participate. Click here to reserve your spot today!

Lyrid Meteor Shower

April 18 – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Every April, as Earth sweeps through a trail of ancient comet dust, the night sky comes alive with one of its most reliable celestial displays: the Lyrid meteor shower. Known for its fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs, the Lyrids offer a vivid reminder of our planet’s place in a dynamic, ever‑moving cosmos. This program invites you to explore the science, history, and wonder behind this annual spectacle. Join us as we explore the science and stories behind this annual event and be sure to attend our special auditorium presentation at 10:30 a.m. where we’ll take a closer look at what makes the Lyrids such a memorable celestial visitor.