Science & History Days
We are hosting a series of events at museums, science centers, aquariums, and more throughout the state on Friday afternoons between November 3rd - December 15th. Please note the following:
These events are FREE for current Insight PA students and one adult per family.
Additional family members can purchase tickets either directly from the venue the day of the event or with cash through our event host - please read the event descriptions carefully for specific payment info!
Students must be accompanied by an adult for the entire event.
The specific details of these events (times, included activities, cost for additional attendees, etc.) vary by location. Please read the descriptions of each event carefully before signing up!
*Click the arrows below to learn more about the events happening in each of our regions and sign up to attend them. Please note that each event has its own sign-up form and deadline. All attendees must sign up ahead of time!
*If you have questions about a specific event, please contact one of our Community Engagement Coordinators:
Western, Central, and Northeast Regions:
Kristin Seidel (krseidel@insightpa.org)
Southeast and Philadelphia Area Regions:
Courtland Handy (cohandy@insightpa.org)
Western Region
Allegheny County - Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Date & Time - November 10th, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Location - Sign-in with Insight staff between 12:00pm - 12:30pm at the main entrance of the museum.
Insight PA Contact - Kristin Seidel, Community Engagement Coordinator (krseidel@insightpa.org)
Cost - Insight PA will cover the admission cost for currently enrolled students and one adult per family/household. Additional tickets at the group discounted rate of $12 can be purchased at the Insight sign-in table ($12 cash/exact amount). Credit card transactions would need to be done at the general admission price, directly from the museum.
Lunch - Insight PA will provide a lunch voucher to the Fossil Fuel Café during the event for all attendees.
Additional Information - The Carnegie Museum of Natural History collects and cares for specimens and artifacts that document the history of life on Earth. Join us as we embark on a museum quest about diverse cultures. The self-paced, scavenger hunt-styled learning activity guides learners through exhibits to practice critical thinking skills. Students will also have the opportunity to explore the various highlighted exhibits throughout the museum.
Address - 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Website - https://carnegiemnh.org
SIGN-UP FORM - CLICK HERE to sign up to attend this event by Thursday, November 2nd!
Erie County - Yahn Planetarium at Penn State Behrend
Date & Time - November 17th, 12:30pm - 4:00pm
Meeting Location - Sign-in with Insight staff between 12:30pm - 12:45pm at the main entrance of the Dobbins Dining Hall.
Insight PA Contact - Kristin Seidel, Community Engagement Coordinator (krseidel@insightpa.org)
Cost - Insight PA will cover the admission cost and lunch for currently enrolled students and one adult per family. Additional tickets must be purchased directly from Kristin Seidel at sign-in.
Lunch - Insight PA will provide a buffet lunch at Dobbins Dining Hall from 12:30pm - 1:30pm for all attendees.
Additional Information - We will start off our trip with lunch at Dobbins Hall and then head over to the Fasenmyer Building for some science fun! Our students will have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on STEAM project with members of Penn State Behrend's Engineering department. There will be various hands-on activities geared to specific grade bands. Then we will head to the planetarium for a look at the stars!
Address - Penn State Behrend Campus
Dobbins Dining Hall - 4701 College Drive, Erie, PA 16563
Fasenmyer Building - 4205 College Drive, Erie, PA 16563
Website - https://behrend.psu.edu/school-of-science/programs-events/yahn-planetarium
SIGN-UP FORM - CLICK HERE to sign up to attend this event by Thursday, November 2nd!
Central Region
Centre County - Penn State Berkey Creamery, Beaver Stadium, and All-Sports Museum
Date & Time - December 8th, 12:00pm - 3:30pm
Meeting Location - Sign-in with Insight PA staff between 11:45am - 12:15pm at the main entrance of the Berkey Creamery. Please note, this is a three part event. We will start at the creamery and proceed to the Beaver Stadium/museum.
Insight PA Contact - Kristin Seidel, Community Engagement Coordinator (krseidel@insightpa.org)
Cost - Insight PA will cover the cost of one ice cream for all attendees. Insight PA will also cover the cost of admission for the stadium tour and museum for currently enrolled students and one adult per family. Additional tickets for the stadium tour and the museum must be purchased directly from Kristin Seidel at sign in. The cost is $15 (cash/exact amount).
Additional Information - Over the last 150 years, the Creamery has been an important Penn State landmark and a world leader in dairy production and food science. Insight students will participate in Penn State's self-guided video tour highlighting the 12 step process from cow to cone. After sampling some of the amazing ice cream, our families will head over to Beaver Stadium for a private tour. The tour will include the media room, locker room, team tunnel & field walkout, Gate A (Nittanyville), Letterman’s Club, and the Mount Nittany Club. We will round out our afternoon by walking through the Penn State All-Sports Museum and explore the athletic history and heritage of one of the greatest universities in the nation.
Addresses:
Berkey Creamery - 119 Rodney A. Erickson Food Science Building, University Park, PA 16802
Penn State All-Sports Museum - 1 Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA 16802
SIGN-UP FORM - CLICK HERE to sign up to attend this event by Thursday, November 30th!
Northeast Region
Northampton/Lehigh County - Da Vinci Science Center
Date & Time - November 3rd, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Location - Sign-in between 12:00pm - 12:30pm at the main entrance. Look for Insight PA staff.
Insight PA Contact - Kristin Seidel, Community Engagement Coordinator (krseidel@insightpa.org)
Cost - Insight PA will cover the admission cost for currently enrolled students and one adult per family. Additional tickets must be purchased directly from Da Vinci Science Center at the general admission price.
Lunch - Insight PA will provide a pizza lunch during the event for all attendees.
Additional Information - The Da Vinci Science Center is passionate about providing a fun learning experience to students of all ages. Their popular exhibits, hands-on workshops, and live science shows will encourage our students to think like scientists and engineers. During our visit, Insight PA students will get to explore Jack-O-Lantern Lane and the Curious George™: Let’s Get Curious exhibit. Our students will have the opportunity to participate in a hands on workshop and view a live science show.
Address - 3145 Hamilton Blvd Bypass, Allentown, PA 18103
Website - https://www.davincisciencecenter.org/
SIGN-UP FORM - CLICK HERE to sign up to attend this event by Thursday, October 26th!
Lackawanna County - Electric City Aquarium
Date & Time - December 15th, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Location - Sign-in between 12:00pm - 12:30pm at the main entrance of the aquarium. Look for Insight PA staff.
Insight PA Contact - Kristin Seidel, Community Engagement Coordinator (krseidel@insightpa.org)
Cost - Insight PA will cover the admission cost for currently enrolled students and one adult per family. Additional tickets must be purchased directly from the Electric City Aquarium at the general admission price.
Lunch - Insight PA will provide a pizza lunch during the event for all attendees.
Additional Information - The Electric City Aquarium and Reptile Den showcases animals from both land and sea. With a dedication to education and conservation, their 20,000+ square foot facility has been carefully planned to accommodate each member of their animal, reptile, and fish “family”. While Insight students visit the aquarium, they will have the opportunity to speak with a marine biologist, attend an education program, and participate in a reptile show.
Address - 300 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503
Parking - The Aquarium is located inside the Marketplace at Steamtown on the first floor in the center atrium. There is a heated parking garage with a multi-level extension located underneath the building that is accessible via Lackawanna Avenue and South Washington Avenue. Parking is free with validation; tickets can be validated in the gift shop.
Website - https://electriccityaquarium.com/
SIGN-UP FORM - CLICK HERE to sign up to attend this event by Thursday, December 7th!
Southeast Region
Dauphin County - The State Museum of Pennsylvania
Date & Time - November 17th, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Meeting Location - Meet at the group entrance located on North Street, closest to the bus loading zone. Look for Insight PA staff and the glass doors at the bottom of the stairs near the replica of The Liberty Bell
Insight PA Contact - Courtland Handy, Community Engagement Coordinator (cohandy@insightpa.org)
Cost - Insight PA will cover the admission cost for currently enrolled students and one adult per family. Additional tickets can be purchased the day of the event directly from The State Museum for $4.00 per person.
Additional Information - Are you ready for an exciting trip to the State Museum of Pennsylvania? Join us and learn about how Pennsylvania got its name, "Penn's Woods", which represents the special bond between the state's people and its land. Explore the museum's featured exhibits on each floor and discover how this relationship of people and place has shaped the state's art, science, and culture. We are currently working out lunch arrangements - more information will be shared with attendees closer to the date of the event.
Address - 300 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120
Website - https://statemuseumpa.org
Parking - Visit this page on the State Museum's website for parking information.
SIGN-UP FORM - CLICK HERE to sign up to attend this event by Friday, November 10th!
Dauphin County - Whitaker Center
Date & Time - December 15th, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Location - Meet at the door on 3rd Street directly across from the Starberry Square Entrance. Look for Insight PA staff.
Insight PA Contact - Courtland Handy, Community Engagement Coordinator (cohandy@insightpa.org)
Cost - Insight PA will cover the admission cost for currently enrolled students and one adult per family. Additional tickets can be purchased the day of the event directly from The Whitaker Center for $10.00 per person.
Additional Information - Get ready for a thrilling day at The Whitaker Center! Students will embark on a journey to explore the wonders of science and technology with an exclusive tour of the center. Plus, they'll get to participate in an exciting STEM lesson led by one of their expert educators in the museum's state-of-the-art STEM Design Studios! We are currently working out lunch arrangements - more information will be shared with attendees closer to the date of the event.
Address - 222 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Website - https://www.whitakercenter.org
Parking - Visit this page on the Whitaker Center's website for parking information.
SIGN-UP FORM - CLICK HERE to sign up to attend this event by Friday, December 8th!
Lancaster County - The Science Factory
Date & Time - November 10th, 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Location - Enter through the main entrance of The Science Factory and look for Insight PA staff.
Insight PA Contact - Courtland Handy, Community Engagement Coordinator (cohandy@insightpa.org)
Cost - Insight PA will cover the admission cost for currently enrolled students and one adult per family. Additional tickets can be purchased the day of the event directly from The Science Factory for $11.00 per person (cash or credit card).
Additional Information - Join us at The Science Factory! Students will explore interactive science stations and attend two 25-minute hands-on STEM workshops: "Create Art with Science" and "Robotics." Professional STEM educators at The Science Factory will instruct each program. We are currently working out lunch arrangements - more information will be shared with attendees closer to the date of the event.
Address - 454 New Holland Ave, Lancaster, PA 17602
Website - www.lancastersciencefactory.org
SIGN-UP FORM - CLICK HERE to sign up to attend this event by Friday, November 3rd!
Philadelphia Area Region
Philadelphia - The Academy of Natural Sciences
Date & Time - November 3rd, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Location - Enter through the main entrance and look for Insight PA staff.
Insight PA Contact - Courtland Handy, Community Engagement Coordinator (cohandy@insightpa.org)
Cost - Insight PA will cover the admission cost for currently enrolled students and one adult per family. Additional tickets can be purchased the day of the event directly from the museum for $12.00 per person.
Additional Information - Join us at The Academy of Natural Sciences and explore the world through dioramas, exhibits, and live animal encounters. Learn about animal adaptations, climate, and weather in exciting stage shows. We are currently working out lunch arrangements - more information will be shared with attendees closer to the date of the event.
Address - 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Website - https://ansp.org
Parking/Public Transportation - Visit this page on the museum's website for parking and public transportation information.
SIGN-UP FORM - CLICK HERE to sign up to attend this event by Friday, October 27th!
Philadelphia - The Franklin Institute
Date & Time - December 8th, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Meeting Location - Enter through the main entrance on 20th Street and look for Insight PA staff.
Insight PA Contact - Courtland Handy, Community Engagement Coordinator (cohandy@insightpa.org)
Cost - Insight PA will cover the admission cost for currently enrolled students and one adult per family. Additional tickets can be purchased the day of the event directly from The Franklin Institute for Adult $25. Child 3-11 $21 Membership Adult or Child is free.
Additional Information - Are you ready for an exciting day at The Franklin Institute? With its impressive 300,000-square-foot facility, this museum is the perfect place to explore historical and scientific artifacts. Students visiting the museum will have a blast using interactive devices to learn about basic science principles and discover the latest technology that will shape our lives. We are currently working out lunch arrangements - more information will be shared with attendees closer to the date of the event.
Address - 222 N 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103
Website - https://www.fi.edu/en
Parking/Public Transportation - Visit this page on the museum's website for parking and public transportation information.
SIGN-UP FORM - CLICK HERE to sign up to attend this event by Friday, December 3rd!