Journeys through space, environmental awareness, a sweet farewell to Daniel Tiger, and so much more!

Community Evening on May 6 was another celebration of making science fun and accessible for learners of all ages, welcoming more than 2,300 guests to Liberty Science Center. These special evenings of free programming invite families from New Jersey’s high-need school districts to experience hands-on discovery together. Each Community Evening features its own lineup of engaging activities, and this one was no exception.

More than 1,000 of the night’s attendees were involved in the Jersey City Early Childhood Family Fun Fest, where the Jersey Board of Education invited families with Pre-K through first-grade students to meet with vendors, explore options for the coming school year—including free Pre-K registration—and learn about more services available to their families.

Throughout the night, guests also journeyed through deep space in iconic planetarium shows. As a special highlight of the evening, guests were invited to learn more about LSC’s NASA After School Program. This initiative brought a portable planetarium dome to a Jersey City public school for 16 sessions, giving students in grades 4–8 the tools and training to create their very own planetarium shows. Made possible through NASA’s inaugural Innovator Award and developed in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County, the flagship program expands STEM learning beyond the classroom while inspiring the next generation of innovators. During Community Evening, guests stepped inside the planetarium to learn more about the program and watch selections of the students’ presentations.

Guests also rolled up their sleeves for the BASF Kids’ Lab We Dig Soil, where they explored the fascinating world beneath their feet. Families discovered how soil supports plant growth and provides habitats for tiny organisms, then created their own nutrient-rich soil samples to take home.

Continuing the theme of environmental science, guests could express their creativity by submitting artwork for The Air We Share, a collaborative initiative with the Association of Science and Technology Centers and Sanofi focused on helping communities better understand air quality and respiratory health. Winning artwork will be displayed on LSC’s stunning Science on a Sphere globe just outside the iconic Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium.

Community Evening also marked the final nighttime celebration for one of LSC’s traveling exhibits, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Daniel Tiger himself made special meet-and-greet appearances before the grr-ific exhibit officially said goodbye on May 10.

Liberty Science Center was proud to welcome supporters from Bank of America and Kenvue, who connected with local families and demonstrated their shared commitment to equity, accessibility, and meaningful investment in our community.

At its core, Liberty Science Center remains committed to fostering knowledge, accessibility, and community engagement; values we were proud to celebrate and share throughout the evening.

Liberty Science Center extends its gratitude to the volunteers who supported this event, and we look forward to welcoming guests back for our next Community Evening.