Free Family Night

HOST: Creative Discovery Museum

WHEN: Thursday, October 12th 2023, 5:30pm-8:00pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 321 Chestnut Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402

WHAT: Explore, innovate, create and play at Creative Discovery Museum for free! Free Family Nights give families access to CDM after hours and at no cost. Dig for dinosaur bones in UnEarthed, become an artist in ArtSpace, climb to new heights in TreeHouse Adventure, and so much more! Admission is free, but registration is required. Registration opens on the first of the month.
Registration is required. Register online at https://www.cdmfun.org/event/free-family-night

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: Free

WEBSITE: cdmfun.org

Hip Hop Celebration

HOST: Creative Discovery Museum

WHEN: Friday, October 13th 2023, 12:00pm-3:00pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 321 Chestnut Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402

WHAT: We are excited to partner with Hip Hop Cha during the Hip Hop Summit in Chattanooga to celebrate with our guests! On Friday, October 13 from 12-3 p.m., Museum guests of all ages will experience a variety of performances and hands-on activities all about Hip Hop dance and music.

AUDIENCE: All ages

COST: The event is included with regular museum admission

WEBSITE: cdmfun.org

Atomic Glow Putty Discovery Lab Program

HOST: Hands On! Discovery Center

WHEN: October 17th-November 5th 2023
Tuesday-Saturday: 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm
Sunday: 1:30pm and 3:30pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 1212 Suncrest Dr., Gray, TN 37615

WHAT: We are stirring up something gloppy, goopy, and spooky in the lab for National Chemistry Week. Learn about the perplexing properties of polymers and make your own atomic-glowing silly putty to take home.

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: FREE with general paid admission.

WEBSITE: https://visithandson.org/

Swashbuckling Science Discovery Lab Program

HOST: Hands On! Discovery Center

WHEN: September 12th-October 15th 2023
Tuesday-Saturday: 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm
Sunday: 1:30pm, 3:30pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 1212 Suncrest Dr., Gray, TN 37615

WHAT: Arrg mateys! It’s a pirate’s life for you as you discover the swashbuckling science of being a pirate in honor of Talk like a Pirate Day. Learn at ye own risk as you test out an eyepatch perception experiment, test out which items would sink or float in they went overboard, sail ho with our pirate ship challenge, and even learn what a scallywag might say!

AUDIENCE: All ages and abilities

COST: FREE with general paid admission.

WEBSITE: https://visithandson.org/

Legos Discovery Cart

HOST: Hands On! Discovery Center

WHEN: October 17th-20th 2023, 10:00am-5:00pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 1212 Suncrest Drive, Gray, TN 37615

WHAT: Stop by Hands On! Discovery Center's Discovery Cart to build, engineer, and create with Legos. All activities are self-guided. All cart program components and materials must remain on site unless otherwise noted. Each cart activity may contain small parts not suitable for children 3 and under.

AUDIENCE: All ages

COST: FREE with general paid admission.

WEBSITE: https://visithandson.org/

Snap Circuits Discovery Cart

HOST: Hands On! Discovery Center

WHEN: October 10th-13th 2023, 10:00am-5:00pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 1212 Suncrest Drive, Gray, TN 3615

WHAT: Stop by Hands On! Discovery Center's Discovery Cart to explore electricity and circuitry by building with components that snap together to assemble electronic circuits. Send a propeller flying, light up a bulb, or sound an alarm when you complete the circuits. All activities are self-guided. All cart program components and materials must remain on site unless otherwise noted. Each cart activity may contain small parts not suitable for children 3 and under.

AUDIENCE: All ages

COST: FREE with general paid admission.

WEBSITE: https://visithandson.org/

Bird Walk: Late Fall Birds of the Burch Reserve

HOST: Warner Park Nature Center

WHEN: Friday, October 20th 2023, 8:30am-10:00am

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: Exact meeting location provided after registration

WHAT: With open fields and deep forest trails, the Burch Reserve offers diverse habitats perfect for late-fall migratory and early-wintering birds.
Registration is required for this event and opens on October 6th. Email wpnc@nashville.gov to register.

AUDIENCE: All ages

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/parks/events/bird-walk-late-fall-birds-burch-reserve

Archeology in Your Backyard

HOST: Warner Park Nature Center

WHEN: Wednesday, October 18th 2023, 6:00pm-7:30pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 7311 Highway 100, Nashville TN 37221

WHAT: People have called Nashville home for thousands of years. Come learn about the amazing archaeological sites found in and around Warner Parks and Nashville. Adam Fracchia, archaeologist with Metro Nashville, will discuss some of the archaeology sites in and around the park and in greater Nashville. The public will have an opportunity to handle some of the artifacts recently recovered from sites in Nashville. Children will also have the chance to participate in hands-on activities after the talk.
Registration for this event is required and begins on October 4th. Email wpnc@nashville.gov to register

AUDIENCE: All ages

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/parks/events/archeology-your-backyard

Fall Migration Bird Banding

HOST: Warner Park Nature Center

WHEN: Tuesday, October 17th 2023 8:00am-12:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 7311 Highway 100, Nashville TN 37221

WHAT: Fall migration is one of our favorite times of the year! Stop by the bird banding station to observe our federally licensed bird banders in action. This long-term bird research project has been on-going for 42 years!

AUDIENCE: All ages

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/parks/nature-centers-and-natural-areas/warner-park-nature-center

Knot Tying

HOST: Warner Park Nature Center

WHEN: Friday, October 13th 2023, 10:00am-12:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 7311 Highway 100, Nashville TN 37221

WHAT: Participants will learn a better way to tie their shoes, how to tie a bowline and whipping, as well as practical uses for these and other simple knots. They will learn a rope trick or two and a simple decorative knot.

AUDIENCE: All ages

COST: Free

WEBSITE: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/parks/nature-centers-and-natural-areas/warner-park-nature-center

Hands-On AI: Creativity with Artificial Intelligence

HOST: Lucius E. & Elsie C. Burch, Jr. Library

WHEN: Wednesday, October 18th 2023, 5:30pm

REGION: West Tennessee

WHERE: 501 Poplar View Parkway, Collierville TN 38017

WHAT: Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a fantastic tool to indulge your creativity or even boost your productivity at work. We'll get hands-on with AI text and image generation, explore examples of real-world AI uses, and discuss the ethics of AI-generated content. Geared toward beginners who haven't previously tried AI tools.
Participants should pre-register at https://colliervillelibrary.libcal.com/event/11265304

AUDIENCE: Adults

COST: Free

WEBSITE: www.colliervilletn.gov/library

Spooktacular Silent Disco at Muse Knoxville

HOST: Muse Knoxville

WHEN: Friday, October 13th 2023, 4:30-7:30pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 516 N. Beaman St., Knoxville TN 37914

WHAT: Get ready for an unforgettable sensory-friendly Halloween celebration at Muse Knoxville. Join us on Friday, October 13, 2023, from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. This family-friendly fundraising event promises an evening filled with spooky fun. Activities include silent disco dancing, pumpkin decorating for all ages, custom trick-or-treat bag making, a costume contest, and open museum floor play. Along with onsite food trucks— food available for purchase.
Guests can register online at https://themuseknoxville.org/events/spooktacular-silent-disco/

COST: Presale tickets are available now at $12 per person for members and $15 for non-members. Each ticket includes complimentary use of silent disco headphones, a pumpkin to decorate, and a canvas bag for designing trick-or-treat bags.

AUDIENCE: All ages

WEBSITE: www.themuseknoxville.org

Pumpkin Fun

HOST: Breeden's Orchard

WHEN: Sunday, October 15th 2023, 1:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 631 Beckwith Rd, Mt. Juliet TN 37122

WHAT: Join us throughout the day for different pumpkin STEAM fun.

COST: Pumpkin activities will have a small charge to cover the cost of supplies.

AUDIENCE: This day and activities will be great for children ages 4-8.

WEBSITE: www.breedensorchard.com

Pumpkin Patch STEAM

HOST: Imagine Foundry 

WHEN: Weekdays from October 9th-20th 2023, 10:00am-5:30pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 1225 S. Willow Ave, Cookeville TN 38506

WHAT: Join us to explore pumpkins through hands-on activities such as pumpkin catapults, carving and painting, pumpkin guts and seeds, and more! We will also practice culinary pumpkin skills and enjoy yummy treats. We can't wait to see you there!

COST: $5 per person (all children must be accompanied by an adult)

AUDIENCE: All ages

WEBSITE: imaginefoundry.org

NASA ASTRO CAMP

HOST: Central Magnet School Science National Honor Society

WHEN: Saturday, October 21st 2023, 1:30pm-2:30pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 502 SE Broad St, Murfreesboro, TN 37130

WHAT: Come join us at the Discovery Center to explore STEAM through hands-on activities, interactive demonstrations, and lessons on Earth and space science aligned with NASA-designed science experiences and inspiring the next generation of scientists!

COST: Free

AUDIENCE: All ages

WEBSITE: https://snhscentralmagnet.wixsite.com/mysite

Math Fest

HOST: Mathnasium of Franklin

WHEN: Saturday, October 14th 2023, 11:00am-1:00pm

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 539 Cool Springs Blvd, Ste 105, Franklin, TN, 37067

WHAT: Celebrate Math Fest! We will be exploring different math concepts for 1st through 12th grade and providing fun activities that are math-based.

COST: Free

AUDIENCE: Children, Teens

WEBSITE: https://www.mathnasium.com/franklin/our-team

Black Light Ocean Art

HOST: Oakdale Public LIbrary

WHEN: Tuesday, October 17th 2023, 5:30pm-6:30pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 212 Queen St. Oakdale, TN 37829

WHAT: We will read picture books about creatures who live in the deep ocean. We will use neon and flourescent paint to create our own sea creatures who glow under a black light.

COST: Free

AUDIENCE: All ages

WEBSITE: https://www.facebook.com/people/Oakdale-Public-Library/100077650665391/

Nature Walk

HOST: The East Tennessee STEM Hub

WHEN: Wednesday, October 18th 2023, 5:30pm-6:30pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 2915 Island Home Ave., Knoxville, TN 37920

WHAT: Join us for an adventure through nature in this guided walk through the trails of Ijams Nature Center! Come dressed in your walking gear for a fun evening exploring the habitats and natural environment we know as East Tennessee. We hope to see you there!

COST: Free

AUDIENCE: All ages

Solar Eclipse Event

HOST: Adventure Science Center

WHEN: Saturday, October 14th 2023, 9:00am

REGION: Middle Tennessee

WHERE: 800 Fort Negley Blvd, Nashville TN 37203

WHAT: ASC is celebrating the annular solar eclipse! The eclipse will take place from 10:38am-1:36pm with maximum coverage (about 52%) at 12:05pm. We will have community partners and staff-led educational programming about astronomy, eclipses, and other STEAM topics!
Hands-on activities and community partners will be available 9am-3pm. Planetarium shows will continue throughout the entire day until we close at 5:00pm.

COST: Regular ASC admission will cover the whole event:
Adult (13+): $22
Youth (2-12): $18
Toddler (under 2): free
ASC Members: free 
We encourage visitors to purchase tickets in advance through adventuresci.org/visit/pricing, but tickets can be purchased the day of the event at the counter.

AUDIENCE: All ages

WEBSITE: www.adventuresci.org

LEGO Family Fun with Bricks 4 Kids

HOST: Bricks 4 Kidz Knoxville

WHEN: Wednesday, October 18th 2023, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Thursday, October 19th 2023, 1:00pm-2:30pm and 4:00pm-5:30pm
Friday, October 20th 2023, 1:00pm-2:30pm
Saturday, October 21st 2023, 10:30am-12:00pm

REGION: East Tennessee

WHERE: 9724 Kingston Pike Ste 1000 (Courtyard 5, Building 10), Knoxville TN 37922

WHAT: Experience LEGO STEAM concepts the Bricks 4 Kidz way! With activities that cover all 5 aspects of STEAM, fill your Brick Passport to earn a prize! Bricks 4 Kidz inspires and mentors the next generation of rocket scientists, robot engineers, and video game designers, all with engaging LEGO building!
Please register for our event at Bricks4Kidz.com/knoxville

COST: $29 includes 1 child and 1-2 guardians (2 mini-figures included, additional mini-figures $6 each)

AUDIENCE: Children, Families

WEBSITE: Bricks4Kidz.com/knoxville