Sock skating, reindeer, penguins, and more at 12 Days of Science 2019
What a way to end the decade! From Jan. 26 through Jan. 1, we turned LSC into a winter wonderland during 12 Days of Science, our annual holiday celebration.
From reindeer visits to penguin encounters to sock skating rinks and beyond, this was an unforgettable way to close out the year. Take a look at some of the highlights:
A visit from real reindeer
Did you know both male and female reindeer grow antlers? Or that some reindeer migrate more than 3,000 miles a year – farther than any other land mammal?
Reindeer are real, and during 12 Days of Science, one visited us right here at LSC! Guests loved meeting and learning about this incredible animal, taking a rest at the Science Center before heading back to the North Pole after a busy holiday season.
Meeting the penguins
Once again, guests had the opportunity to meet African penguins – up close and personal – visiting us from Jenkinson’s Aquarium!
Did you know African penguins are an endangered species? In presentations throughout the day, guests learned about these fascinating, flightless birds, and what they can do to help them.
Meeting big, bold birds
The animal visits only continued from there! Guests also met some new feathered friends – a red-tailed hawk, an Eastern screech owl, and a turkey vulture – visiting us for 12 Days of Science from the Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge.
Taking a spin on the Sock Skating Rink
Who needs ice skating when you have SOCK skating? This year, we debuted our new Sock Skating Rink, made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface. It isn’t made of real ice – but it is really slippery!
Making frozen hot chocolate
What better way to end 2019 and start off a sweet new year than with frozen hot chocolate? Guests loved our Frozen Hot Chocolate Show, where our scientists used liquid nitrogen to turn hot chocolate into a frozen treat. Of course, all guests got to try a taste!
Using the scientific method to investigate gift packages
The holiday season can be a chaotic time, and sometimes things get lost in the mail! That was the idea behind our new “Puzzling Packages” lab, where kids used the scientific method to figure out what was inside some gift packages that got jumbled up in the craziness of the season.
Creating snow at the Snowflake Factory
In our new “Snowflake Factory” lab, guests used a classic Rube Goldberg mechanism to make faux snow! The best part? They even got to take it home with them!
Warming up cold campers
In another new lab – “Cold Campers” – guests learned about body temperature by picking a material to bundle up some very chilly campers. Via thermal FLIR cameras, guests discovered how much they warmed up the campers!
Fun at the photo op
This year, guests had a blast at our fun family photo op, taking great pictures to share with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Sending birds soaring in Angry Birds Universe
In our premium exhibition, Angry Birds Universe, guests played a real-life version of the Angry Birds games with physically challenging and mentally stimulating adventures!
Some of the coolest parts of the exhibition include using real slingshots to aim birds through the air, building and racing vehicles in a live version of the Angry Birds Go! kart racing game, conquering a climbing wall, and animating birds in a high-tech design studio.
Angry Birds Universe will be at LSC through April 19, 2020. It is available with the purchase of a Combination or Premium Pass.
Exploring the Age of Dinosaurs in Dinosaur Train: The Traveling Exhibit
Over in Dinosaur Train: The Traveling Exhibit, guests joined a curious Tyrannosaurus rex named Buddy who travels the world to discover everything there is to know about dinosaurs!
Based on the Dinosaur Train TV series, the exhibition embraces and celebrates the fascination kids have with dinosaurs and trains, taking visitors through all three time periods during the Age of Dinosaurs (Mesozoic Era – Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous).
Dinosaur Train: The Traveling Exhibit will be at LSC through Jan. 20, 2020. It is included in general admission.
Taking photos for the 12 Days of Science photo contest
Every year during 12 Days of Science, we hold a photo contest where we ask guests to share the best photos from their visit via the hashtag #LSC12Days! Prizes included a 1-year LSC membership for the first place winner, and free tickets for the runner-ups.
Check out this year’s winners:
Thanks to everyone who joined us for 12 Days of Science 2019! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on all amazing events at LSC like this one.
