Carnival Day for Kids at UCCS
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Library STEAM Events
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The 2023 Colorado Springs Cool Science Festival • Sep 30 - Oct 15
Scroll down for the full schedule of events
Last year we expanded the festival from 9 days to 16 days to help spread out our special events a bit more. It seemed to work well, so we’re back again with 16 days of fun and engaging events designed to showcase STEAM where it's taking place in Colorado Springs and around the Pikes Peak Region. There are events for all ages- adults, kids, teens and families - and most are absolutely free (some events may have a fee to help the hosts cover their costs).
Of course our biggest and most popular event, the Cool Science Carnival Day for Kids at UCCS will be Saturday, September 30th from 10 am to 4 pm. We'll have dozens of exciting science magic shows, laboratory tours and demos, rockets, drones, live animals, liquid nitrogen ice cream and lots of other hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) activities and exhibits for kids (primarily K-8th grades). It's all FREE (including parking) and fun for all ages!
After all the fun of Carnival Day you’ll hardly have time to catch your breath before an evening stargazing party with the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society at Garden of the Gods Visitor Center. And if you enjoyed Insectapalooza on Carnival Day, you won’t want to miss a live bug hunt on Sunday (Oct. 1) and a chance to check out what might be the world’s largest private collection of creepy-crawly insects at the May Natural History Museum (beware- last year a live tarantula crawled into the museum while we were there)! If that’s not quite your speed but you still want to get outside you might like a Nature Journaling Hike on Pikes Peak (Oct. 1). And that’s just the first two days of the festival!
Of course our biggest and most popular event, the Cool Science Carnival Day for Kids at UCCS will be Saturday, September 30th from 10 am to 4 pm. We'll have dozens of exciting science magic shows, laboratory tours and demos, rockets, drones, live animals, liquid nitrogen ice cream and lots of other hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) activities and exhibits for kids (primarily K-8th grades). It's all FREE (including parking) and fun for all ages!
After all the fun of Carnival Day you’ll hardly have time to catch your breath before an evening stargazing party with the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society at Garden of the Gods Visitor Center. And if you enjoyed Insectapalooza on Carnival Day, you won’t want to miss a live bug hunt on Sunday (Oct. 1) and a chance to check out what might be the world’s largest private collection of creepy-crawly insects at the May Natural History Museum (beware- last year a live tarantula crawled into the museum while we were there)! If that’s not quite your speed but you still want to get outside you might like a Nature Journaling Hike on Pikes Peak (Oct. 1). And that’s just the first two days of the festival!
Stargazing at Garden of the Gods
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Bugs at the May Museum
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Get ready for the Oct. 14 eclipse
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One big theme this year surrounds the annular solar eclipse on October 14th. We’re not quite in the path of totality in Colorado Springs, but it should still be an impressive astronomical event and the festival offers several special events around the area to view it in style. You can prepare for the big day in advance with several talks and a homeschool science workshop at PPLD branch libraries. There’s even our own special Science on Tap talk (Oct. 9) to learn about the total eclipse that took place in 1878 and the famous scientists and other celebrities who came to Colorado Springs for the event.
Other new events this year include a chance to meet Pikes Peak International Hill Climb drivers and engineers while admiring some of the race cars at the El Pomar Foundation’s Penrose Heritage Museum on October 12. There’s also a very special opportunity to view the natural splendor and learn about the history and geology of Rainbow Falls (which is currently closed) on Oct. 14. If you’re into wine, how about a tour (and tasting for 21+) at Evergood Adventure Wines in Palmer Lake (Sep. 30, Oct. 7 & 14), where they make their wine with lemons instead of grapes. And if you’re into dirt, don’t miss “Soil Superheroes” on Oct. 14, a fun class for adults and kids to learn about all the microorganisms that turn dirt into life-sustaining soil. Families can also enjoy another hands-on STEAM Carnival at Foothills Elementary School (Oct. 11), and adults may like a talk about Women Air Service Pilots of WWII (Oct. 9) and a panel discussion on Carbon Management and Sustainability (Oct. 2).
One big theme this year surrounds the annular solar eclipse on October 14th. We’re not quite in the path of totality in Colorado Springs, but it should still be an impressive astronomical event and the festival offers several special events around the area to view it in style. You can prepare for the big day in advance with several talks and a homeschool science workshop at PPLD branch libraries. There’s even our own special Science on Tap talk (Oct. 9) to learn about the total eclipse that took place in 1878 and the famous scientists and other celebrities who came to Colorado Springs for the event.
Other new events this year include a chance to meet Pikes Peak International Hill Climb drivers and engineers while admiring some of the race cars at the El Pomar Foundation’s Penrose Heritage Museum on October 12. There’s also a very special opportunity to view the natural splendor and learn about the history and geology of Rainbow Falls (which is currently closed) on Oct. 14. If you’re into wine, how about a tour (and tasting for 21+) at Evergood Adventure Wines in Palmer Lake (Sep. 30, Oct. 7 & 14), where they make their wine with lemons instead of grapes. And if you’re into dirt, don’t miss “Soil Superheroes” on Oct. 14, a fun class for adults and kids to learn about all the microorganisms that turn dirt into life-sustaining soil. Families can also enjoy another hands-on STEAM Carnival at Foothills Elementary School (Oct. 11), and adults may like a talk about Women Air Service Pilots of WWII (Oct. 9) and a panel discussion on Carbon Management and Sustainability (Oct. 2).
Experience the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
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Soil Superheroes
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Hiking and Painting in Paint Mines Park
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Of course many of our most popular events are back again, including plenty for kids and families. Learn about the CSFD's Fire Science (Oct. 6 & 13), and explore the Cave of the Winds on deeply discounted tours (Oct. 11) just for the festival (there’s even a new advanced Caving 101 tour on Oct. 12). There are also free planetarium shows at the US Air Force Academy and Challenger Learning Center, after-school and homeschool programs STEAM programs at PPLD and Pueblo Libraries, hiking in Paint Mines Interpretive Park (Oct. 14) and other programs at various nature centers and parks, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the technology that makes the new Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center possible.
Of course many of our most popular events are back again, including plenty for kids and families. Learn about the CSFD's Fire Science (Oct. 6 & 13), and explore the Cave of the Winds on deeply discounted tours (Oct. 11) just for the festival (there’s even a new advanced Caving 101 tour on Oct. 12). There are also free planetarium shows at the US Air Force Academy and Challenger Learning Center, after-school and homeschool programs STEAM programs at PPLD and Pueblo Libraries, hiking in Paint Mines Interpretive Park (Oct. 14) and other programs at various nature centers and parks, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the technology that makes the new Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center possible.
Caving 101 at Cave of the Winds
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Planetarium shows at the USAFA
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CSFD Fire Science
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This is just a sample of more than 90 events taking place during the Cool Science Festival. Check out the full schedule below. There are events for all ages, pre-K to adults, and most are free. Some do charge a small fee (often deeply discounted from normal prices) and most do require online pre-registration.
This is just a sample of more than 90 events taking place during the Cool Science Festival. Check out the full schedule below. There are events for all ages, pre-K to adults, and most are free. Some do charge a small fee (often deeply discounted from normal prices) and most do require online pre-registration.
Colorado Springs Cool Science Festival Sponsors
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Colorado Springs Cool Science Festival Partners
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Below is the full calendar of festival events. You can view it as a list (default) or by week or month. You can also select which events are displayed by target audience (that's the little down arrow on the right side at the top). Click on any event title for a detailed description and a link to pre-register or purchase tickets. Note that most events require online pre-registration. You may also choose to show up without a reservation on the day of the event in case there is space available, but we can't promise that you will get in.
You can find more information about the special events and let us know what you think about the festival on our Festival Facebook page, and join our mailing list to keep updated on the festival.
2023 Festival Events Schedule
Download printable version (594KB PDF)
Download printable version (594KB PDF)
