Bugs by Design
2025-03-12 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | The Lancaster Science Factory, 454 New Holland Ave, Lancaster, PA, 17602, United States
In this artistic maker series, kids will uncover the fascinating and beautiful world of backyard insects. Projects will include using the laser cutter to create balancing butterflies, glow-in-the-dark paintings, and more!

February 19th
February 26th
March 5th
March 12th

Pre-registration is required. $10 per class. Sign up here!

Closing at 4pm
2025-03-14 16:00 - 17:00
The Lancaster Science Factory will close at 4 pm on Friday, March 14th, for staff development.

Girl Scouts Robotics Workshop
2025-03-22 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-12 13:00 - 16:00
Girl Scouts Robotics Workshop
In this workshop, a mixed group of Brownies through Cadettes can complete the requirements for ALL THREE Robotics badges (Designing Robots, Programming Robots, Showcasing Robots). The workshop could be as long as 3 hours.
Badges are not included. Girl Scouts receive free admission to the Lancaster Science Factory. Your scouts are welcome to stay and play after/before their workshops. Leaders are also free (please be prepared to show proof of your leader status). Additional non-scout guests receive the group rate. Workshops that do not meet a minimum threshold of 5 scouts may be canceled and refunded by The Lancaster Science Factory.
Click here to register for this program.

Free with Admission: Chemistry Magic with Eurofins Lancaster Labs
2025-03-29 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-04-26 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-05-31 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-28 11:00 - 14:00
Come one come all to the Chemistry Magic Show presented by real scientists from Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories!
This dazzling show incorporates a variety of experiments to ignite your mind from homemade rocket fuel to disappearing cups, to color-changing bottles and so much more! All ages are encouraged to participate in these hands-on experiments and watch the fascinating chemical reactions.
This activity is FREE with your paid admission or membership to the Lancaster Science Factory.

First Friday @ The Lancaster Science Factory!
2025-04-04 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-05-02 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-06-06 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-08-01 17:00 - 19:00
Every First Friday the Lancaster Science Factory offers free admission from 5 – 7pm. Explore over 70 interactive exhibits for kids in grades K – 8 and their families! This program is possible through the generous support of PPL.

CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT

Ocean Adventure with The Center for Aquatic Sciences
2025-04-05 10:00 - 13:00
On Saturday, April 5th from 10am – 1pm our friends from the Center for Aquatic Sciences in Camden, NJ join us for a special Ocean Adventure!
Stations around our exhibit hall will feature live animal touch tanks and other interactive activities like animal x-rays, a beach detective sand box, and a shark and mammal touch table!
All activities are included with admission. Click here to buy your tickets now to guarantee your entry!

About the Center for Aquatic Sciences
Originally created to run operations of the new New Jersey State Aquarium, the Center for Aquatic Sciences has grown and evolved to meet the needs of our Camden community over the years. Today, the Center delivers innovative, engaging environmental science programming for families, students, teachers, and communities. Our flagship Community And Urban Science Enrichment (CAUSE) Program serves as a regional leader and national benchmark for STEM-based youth development employing a community service, small cohort model. The Center’s fishing and kayaking programs engage 400+ residents per year with Camden parks and green spaces. Through partnerships with schools in Camden and Philadelphia, the Center delivers science enrichment and afterschool programming to thousands of students each year.

Day Off Camps!
2025-04-18 09:00 - 16:00
Day Off Camp!
Spend your day off from school at the Lancaster Science Factory! Kids in grades K – 8 will enjoy two different hands-on STEM sessions with plenty of time to explore the exhibit hall and a lunch break in between!
Each full-day camp is $80 per student.

Friday, April 18th – Good Friday

Outer Space: Kids will blast off into the intergalactic world of Outer Space! Learn about our Solar System and beyond. Launch rockets, land on the moon, and more!
Supervised lunch break and exploration in the exhibit hall.
Color Magic: Dive into the world of color science! Kids will experiment with color mixing, work with light and shadows in our new interactive light boxes, and even creat art with kitchen chemistry.

Click here to learn more and sign up now!

Day Off Camps!
2025-04-21 09:00 - 16:00
Day Off Camp!
Spend your day off from school at the Lancaster Science Factory! Kids in grades K – 8 will enjoy two different hands-on STEM sessions with plenty of time to explore the exhibit hall and a lunch break in between!
Each full-day camp is $80 per student.

Monday, April 21st – Easter Monday

Flying Machines: Learn the priciples of flight and create your own flying contraptions in this Maker Space camp! From paper airplanes, to whirlygigs, to rockets – the only limit is your imagination (and our ceiling).
Supervised lunch break and exploration in the exhibit hall.
Into the Rainforest: Kids will swing into the rainforest and learn about why this ecosystem is so important to the planet! They’ll make a biome model to take home.

Click here to learn more and sign up now!

Our Solar System In the Maker Space - Free with Admission
2025-05-02 10:00 - 12:00
Stop in to the Maker Space for some planetary fun! Learn about our solar system and what makes it unique. All ages welcome.

Free with admission 10am – 12pm

Free Admission: Manufacturing Day Takeover with MANTEC & More!
2025-05-02 17:00 - 19:00
On Friday, May 2nd, our monthly free First Friday event is being taken over! Celebrate Manufacturing Day with MANTEC and other local manufacturers. Hands-on activities will be all around the exhibit hall for kids of all ages to enjoy!
Free admission for the first 300 visitors. All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Companies include:

Phoenix Contact
The Lancaster STEM Alliance
MANTEC (with their special robot guest, Baxter!)
Make717
Armstrong
Greiner
HMS
New Standard

Building Bridges In the Maker Space - Free with Admission!
2025-05-06 10:00 - 12:00
Be a structural engineer! Stop into the Maker Space during your visit to build and test a bridge. How much can it hold before it breaks?

Wind Power in the Maker Space - Free with Admission!
2025-05-09 13:00 - 15:00
Build a sailcar and harness the power of the wind to test your speed! This opening tinkering activity is for all ages, but there are some small parts and pieces, so adult supervision is required.

Free with admission, 10am – 12pm.

Exploring Robotics in the Maker Space - Free with Admission
2025-05-17 10:00 - 12:00
Pop into the Maker Space to explore robotics!
Free with admission, 10am – 12pm.

STEM Career Panel
2025-05-24 10:00 - 12:00
All are welcome to join our first STEM Career Panel on Saturday, May 24th from 10:00am – 12:00pm!
Hear from local STEM Professionals about their path to their career. Get your questions answered! Learn about the Lancaster Science Factory STEM Ambassador Program and how it can help students earn community service hours and gain invaluable experience for college applications or resumes.
A continental breakfast will be provided. Please RSVP to Robin Bowden at rbowden@tlsf.org.
Our Speakers

Ed Novak, Computer Science, Franklin & Marshall College

Gwen Cunningham, Land Surveying & Applied Science, RETTEW
Paul Sisbarro, DO, Medical Professional, Retired

Water Week Kick Off at the Science Factory!
2025-06-06 17:00 - 19:00
Join us on Friday, June 6th, from 5:00 – 7:00 for a special Water Week First Friday celebration! Enjoy free entry and over 80 hands-on exhibits. PLUS special water science activities presented by our staff and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation!

Our friends from the Lancaster Conservancy will be on-hand with native plant giveaways and information on the DOZENS of other activities taking place across Lancaster County for Water Week!

Admission is FREE, but capacity is limited. Click here to RSVP via Eventbrite and plan to arrive on time to ensure entry.

About Water Week:
Lancaster Water Week is an annual celebration of the 1,400 miles of waterways in Lancaster County, PA. Join us for over 60 events as we paddle, explore, volunteer, and take action for the streams and rivers of Lancaster County! Learn more: www.lancasterwaterweek.org

Free With Admission: Engineering Sampler @ The Science Cafe!
2025-07-09 10:00 - 16:00
We’re excited to welcome summer interns from Arconic to our Science Cafe as they present hands-on engineering activities. Try building a pulley system, electrical circuits, and more!
Thank you to Arconic for volunteering your time!

First Friday @ The Lancaster Science Factory!
2025-07-11 17:00 - 19:00
**First Friday in July falls on the Fourth, some join us for a “make up” First Friday on Friday, July 11th!**
Every First Friday the Lancaster Science Factory offers free admission from 5 – 7pm. Explore over 70 interactive exhibits for kids in grades K – 8 and their families! This program is possible through the generous support of PPL.

CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT

Brain Freeze: The Science of Ice Cream
2025-07-20 12:00 - 15:30
Time for a Sweet Science Celebration! Join us on Sunday, July 20th from 12:00 – 3:30 for BRAIN FREEZE: The Science of Ice Cream- Free with admission!
Uncover the hidden science of ice cream with a science show presented by Eurofins, hands-on colorful milk experiments, a visit from Allie Moo, the life-sized mechanical milking cow, and flavor evaporation demos with TFB Catering!

Penny’s Ice Cream Truck will also be on hand with a special National Ice Cream Day flavor for purchase.

You are encouraged to buy tickets in advance for this very COOL event: bit.ly/lsftickets
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Elephant Toothpaste at the Science Cafe!
2025-07-30 13:00 - 14:00
Join us at the Science Cafe for interactive demos of the classic messy chemistry experiment: Elephant Toothpaste. This activity is presented free with admission. Adult supervision is required.

Free With Admission: Slime Demo Lab
2025-08-01 13:00 - 14:00
Join us at the Science Cafe for some slimy science fun! Free with admission!
All ages are welcome. Parental supervision required.

Robotics Demos with One Small Step for an Axolotl - First Friday
2025-08-01 17:00 - 19:00
Join us this First Friday from 5 – 7pm for robotics demos with FIRST Robotics team “One Small Step for An Axolotl!”

Free with Admission: Watercolor Salt Painting
2025-08-02 11:00 - 12:00
Join us at the Science Cafe to bring out your inner artist with a scientific twist! Free with admission!
All ages welcome. Parental supervision required.

Free with Admission: Newton's Law of Motion
2025-08-07 11:00 - 12:00
Join us at the Science Cafe for some hands-on demos of Newton’s Laws of Motion! Free with admission!
All ages welcome. Parental supervision required.
