Fibonacci Day!

Saturday, November 23, 2024 - 11:00am to 2:00pm

Join us as we celebrate the brilliant Italian mathematician Leonardo of Pisa, or more popularly known as Fibonacci, and explore the wonders of his famous Fibonacci Sequence!

This famous pattern, which begins with 1, 1, 2, 3, and continues infinitely, is found throughout nature from the arrangement of leaves on plants, to the spirals in galaxies, and even the proportions of the human body. Experiences during this event include:

  • Find Fibonacci: Explore how this sequence appears in numbers, spirals, and the natural world
  • Pinecone art: Color the spirals on pinecones to create your own Fibonacci-inspired masterpiece
  • Code breaker: Crack the Roman numeral code to reveal a hidden message
  • Radiant rectangles: Discover why rectangles shaped by Fibonacci proportions are considered the most visually pleasing
  • Fibonacci flowers: Design and take home your own Fibonacci-inspired flower
  • Eureka Escape Room: Designed and run by our talented Hazel Park interns, this Archimedes-themed escape room is your chance to take on the challenge and test your problem-solving skills - debuts on Fibonacci Day!

Activities are FREE with the purchase of general admission.

While you delve into the wonders of Fibonacci's mathematical achievements, take the opportunity to discover Archimedes, another mathematical luminary!

Explore our newest traveling exhibit, The Science of Archimedes, where you can uncover how his groundbreaking discoveries in mathematics, physics, and engineering have influenced our modern world, and deepen your understanding of the science behind natural phenomena.

Tickets to Archimedes are $8 for adults and $6 for children (ages 2-12) and seniors (65+) for non-members. Tickets for Family or Companion Members are $7 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. Back Stage, All Access, and Galactic Members and children under 2 are free. Non-members must also pay general museum admission.

Paleo Blitz!

Friday, November 29 & Saturday, November 30 | 11:00am - 3:00pm daily

Move over Black Friday! A Paleo Blitz is coming to the Institute, and it’s going to be dino-mite!

Join us for a thrilling celebration of all things dinosaurs, fossils, and more to spark your inner paleontologist. Experiences during this event include:

  • Fossil or Faux?: Get hands-on with REAL fossils and replicas as you discover why casts are a staple in museums and for paleontologists
  • Food from Hell: Use cards to craft a food web and unravel the complexities of the Hell Creek ecosystem
  • Megalodon Mania: Handle REAL fossils from the mighty Megalodon and unleash your creativity by making your own sea monster to take home
  • Dino Defense Design: Learn about the incredible defenses of herbivore dinosaurs, then channel your inner designer to create a plant-eater who could withstand a T. rex attack
  • Dakota’s Incredible Journey: Discover the captivating story of Dakota, a dinosaur with preserved soft tissues, and create a rubbing of an Edmontosaurus skin cast
  • Paleo Scavenger Hunt: Embark on an exciting scavenger hunt to uncover treasures throughout the museum

Activities are FREE with the purchase of general admission.

To keep the roar-some fun going, add a visit to the exploreLAB during your trip, our dinosaur headquarters!

Our exploreLAB programs offer an immersive journey into prehistoric wonders and live ecosystems with Tour the Jurassic, Live Bug Feeding, Dinos Drawn Wrong, and Diets of the Giants. Perfect for paleo and bug enthusiasts, each program invites you to get up close with live insects, touch real dinosaur fossils, and discover the marvels of both the prehistoric and natural world. Prepare to dive into hands-on learning that will excite explorers of all ages!

Tickets to the exploreLAB are $5 for adults, children (ages 2-12), and seniors (65+) for non-members. $1 for children under 2 for non-members. Tickets for Family or Companion Members are $4 for adults, children (ages 2-12), and seniors (65+) and free for children under 2. Back Stage, All Access, and Galactic Members are free. Non-members must also pay general museum admission.

Or enjoy a seasonally-themed show or night sky tour in the Acheson Planetarium. Tickets to the planetarium range in price from $1 - $5 per person and can be purchased at the front desk upon arrival or in advance online.