CLEVELAND (August 15, 2025) – As the kids head back to school, keep some of that summer vibe going at Great Lakes Science Center with some all-new, family-friendly programming planned to spark curiosity and help end summer with a bang.
 
Brand-new Family Workshops are planned for noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays in August and September, designed to delight and challenge visitors, including:  

  • States of Matter: Ice Cream Science. On August 17, discover how hot chocolate can be transformed into ice cream as you explore the properties of solids, liquids and gases during this special, tasty workshop that ends with a sweet treat. (An alternate treat will be available for kids with dairy or chocolate allergies.)
  • Water Park Design Challenge. On August 24, Science Center guests can test their engineering and design skills and build their own water park! Design a trampoline capable of launching your park “guests” into the pool. Can you make the best water slide? 
  • Owl Pellets. On September 14, discover what an owl had for dinner when you dissect an owl pellet and see what remains of its meal. We'll help you identify what you find, which will tell you more about the owl's diet and habitat. 
  • Jumping Jitterbugs. On September 28, guests can build their own Jumping Jitterbug "bot" to take home. Learn more about renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Explore how circuits work together to make your Jitterbug scurry across the tabletop or floor. 

Workshops are $15 for an adult/child pair and $5 for an additional child. Register online in advance or at the box office the day of the event. 
 
Each day, families can explore the exhibits, including Steam and Steel: Propelling the Future of the Great Lakes, on display through September 1, and take in a Big Science Show, offered daily on the Discover Gallery stage. Watch for special activity carts and “Capsule Chats” in the NASA Glenn Visitor Center to learn more about space exploration.
 
August is also a great time to visit the Steamship William G. Mather. This 100-year-old freighter, known as “the Ship That Built Cleveland,” allows guests to see what life was like working on the Great Lakes. Explore the crew quarters, engine room, pilot house and cargo hold as well as the guest cabins and dining room that allowed company executives to travel in style aboard the Mather. The ship is open Tuesday through Sunday in August and on weekends during September.
 
Check out GreatScience.com for more information on special weekend Hard Hat Tours that take guests into areas normally off-limits to the public. Advanced registration is required for Hard Hat Tours, and the cost includes admission to both the Mather and the Science Center.
 
There’s so much to see and do at the Science Center, an annual Membership might be the best way to experience it all! Set your kids up right for the school year with unlimited admission to the Science Center with a Family or Family MAX Membership. Family Memberships start at $139 and pay for themselves on average after just two visits. Family MAX Memberships include unlimited free parking and unlimited DOME Theater tickets!

About Great Lakes Science Center
Great Lakes Science Center is one of the top 10 museums in the nation as celebrated by the 2025 USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel award for Best Science Museum. The Science Center hosted Total Eclipse Fest in 2024, one of the largest free eclipse events in the country and is home to the NASA Glenn Visitor Center. The Science Center makes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) come alive for more than 300,000 visitors a year through hundreds of hands-on exhibits, temporary exhibitions, the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater, historic Steamship William G. Mather, daily science demonstrations, seasonal camps and more. The Science Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution, earned a 2023 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, a leading provider of insight and data about the non-profit world. The Science Center is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Visit GreatScience.com for more information.