11 Jul 2019 #SummerofSTEMKC: Celebrating #Apollo50th
The power of STEM captured the world’s attention 50 years ago this summer during the Apollo 11 moon landing. The nation officially celebrates July 19-20 with some events you can join virtually plus you will find plenty of local opportunities to dig into the history of the mission and the science and technology behind it. Some options:
Through Aug. 30 // To the Moon: The Science of Apollo at Linda Hall Library
The special exhibition To the Moon: The Science of Apollo, is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, July 13, as part of Linda Hall Library’s Second Saturdays. Admission and parking are free. The exhibition features a lunar sample collected on the Moon by Apollo 17 astronauts. NOTE: The exhibit is also open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through Aug. 30. Admission and parking are free for Library visitors. Advance registration is not required. Learn more.
July 15 // Relive the Moon Landing with the Kansas City Kansas Public Library
Gather at the West Wyandotte Public Library for a live webcast from the American Museum of Natural History that features a guided recreation of the Apollo 11 voyage. See details.
July 17 // Museum at Prairiefire Science Happy Hour
As part of its Science Happy Hour series, the Museum at Prairiefire brings Cosmosphere’s President/CEO Jim Remar to town to relive the journey that captured the collective attention of people across the globe. Drinks and appetizers are provided with ticket purchase during these engaging talks followed by Q&A. Science Happy Hour is $10 for non-members. Members attend FREE. Doors open 5:30 p.m., presentation begins at 6 p.m. Register here.
July 17 // Mad Science presents Walking on the Moon at MCPL Libraries
Local libraries have embraced space-themed summer learning programs this year, with plenty of related programming. One example: the Mid-Continent Public Library hosts Mad Science for a look back at Apollo 11 in a program for ages 6 and up during the week of the Apollo 11 anniversary. See the list of program times and locations.
July 19-20 // To the Moon and Back: Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Experience at Union Station
Science City celebrates the first lunar landing with a series of special events featuring live presentations and Q&A with former NASA Education Director and Glenn Research Center Hall of Fame Inductee, Dr. R. Lynn Bondurant Jr., along with real Apollo artifacts, new planetarium shows, a day of Moon-themed fun in Science City and lunar telescope viewings. See the full schedule and ticket links on the Science City Facebook page.
What’s Next?
Keep your #SummerofSTEM learning going! NASA has collected a series of hands-on activities that relate to the moon mission. Find them here. Plus, check out this NASA video to see plans for the next phase of moon exploration.
And don’t forget to check out the STEM Connect-KC calendar to stay up to date on STEM-related events all year long.
