There is always something new and exciting happening at Liberty Science Center!
222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ, www.lsc.org ▪ 201.200.1000
Through January 9 - Mammoths and Mastodons Exhibition
Journey back to the Ice Age via video installations, roam among saber-toothed cats and giant bears, see towering models of Ice Age animals hunted by our forbearers, and examine some of the oldest known human artifacts in this jam-packed exhibition. You’ll be amazed by real artifacts and fossils as well as touchable tusks, teeth and fur. This exhibition was created by The Field Museum, Chicago.
December 4, 11 & 18 –The Polar Express: An IMAX Experience pulls into the nation’s largest IMAX® Dome Theater for a limited engagement just in time for the holidays. The heart-warming film tells of a boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole on a journey of self-discovery. Based on the Caldecott medal-winning children's book written by Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express is directed by Oscar® winner Robert Zemeckis and stars two-time Academy Award® winner Tom Hanks. Run time: 100 minutes. Tickets are $8.50/ children 2-12 and seniors 62+; $11.25/ adult. Note: Infants under 2 are not permitted in the IMAX Dome Theater. Shows at 5:15 and 7:15 pm.
December 4 & 5 – Make a Craft Snowman- Ages 4-8
It’s cold out but warm inside. In this science and craft activity you’ll make an art snowman and learn about the real cold stuff outside. Free with paid admission. In the Infection Connection Gallery 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
December 4, 11 & 18 – BASF Kids Lab – Ages 6-11
If your family likes to learn together and is curious about what causes stuff to be, well, stuff, sign up for the BASF Kids Lab at Liberty Science Center and enjoy fun, hands-on experiments! Families can even take many of their creations home. As an added bonus, participants will receive a $5 voucher good towards the purchase of other Liberty Science Center experiences. Space is limited. Labs are $5 /person. Call 201.253.1310 for reservations. Sessions are 10:00 am -12:15 pm and 1:30-3:45 pm.
December 5, 12 & 19 – One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure film – Ages 4-6
One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure begins on Sesame Street when Elmo's friend, Hu Hu Zhu, visits from China. Big Bird, Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu take viewers on an exciting discovery of the sun, moon, and stars. Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu then take an imaginary trip to the Moon where they learn that it’s very different from the Earth. Recommended for ages 4-6 with adults. Made possible by the Sesame Street Workshop and the National Science Foundation. Tickets are $3.00 child/$4.00 adult. In the Interactive Theater at 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm.
December 11 & 12 – Make a Craft Penguin – Ages 4-8
Make your own friendly penguin to take home while you learn some amazing facts about these hardy birds. Free with paid admission. In the Eat & Be Eaten Gallery 11:00 – 4:00 pm
December 18 - Rubik’s Cube Competition – Ages 8+
Rubik’s Cube speed competitions are held at Princeton, Harvard and around the world. Now join speed cuber Bob Burton as he brings a Rubik’s Cube competition to Liberty Science Center. Over 100 competitors are expected to show off their skills and compete to solve cube puzzles in record time, trying to beat current record holder Erik Akkersdijk of the Netherlands. Want to compete? See http://ca.cubingusa.com/libertysciencecenter2010/index.php. Free for spectators. 9:00 am – 3:30 pm.
December 18 – Learn to Speed Cube! – Ages 8+
If you have always wanted to develop the lightning fast skills required to become a skilled speed cuber, here’s your chance! Join cubing experts in the Jennifer A. Chalsty Center for Science Learning and Teaching to improve your Rubik’s Cube skills. Space and practice cubes are limited and available on a first come, first served basis starting at 11:30 am at the Chalsty Center entrance. Cubes and books are also available for purchase online or at the Center in Connections: The Store, www.enssc.com/?store=541. Free with paid admission. Sessions at 11:30 am and 12:30 pm.
December 18 & 19 – Check Out the da Vinci® Surgical Robot – Hands on! Ages 8+
You may have heard about surgeons performing delicate operations on patients located on other side of the globe from them using the da Vinci Surgical Robot, but the robot is more likely to be used for minimally invasive obesity, heart disease and prostate cancer procedures on local patients. Its precise, computer-assisted movements result in smaller incisions leading to less pain, discomfort and blood loss, and a faster return to normal activities. Join ABC News Medical Contributor Dr. Chris Magovern and other medical professionals as they demonstrate the robot’s fine movements and let appropriately aged youngsters try it for themselves. Free with paid admission. 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.
December 18 - 20 – Make a Craft Snowflake – All ages
Create your own snowflake as you learn about the science behind winter’s most beautiful substance. Free with paid admission. 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
The 4th Annual 12 Days of Science December 22 – January 2 – All ages
Now in its fourth year, The 12 Days of Science provide an exciting finish to the year with exciting activities that will make your special holiday visit even more memorable! Schedules are subject to change without notice and space or supplies may be limited. Activities are available on a first come, first served basis.
Daily December 22 - January 2 (except 12/25)
Frozen Nitrogen Ice Cream – Watch as our professional educators make ice cream the scientific way – with liquid nitrogen. You never know what they’ll concoct next!
Insta-Snow – Learn about chains of molecules called polymers then use one with unique properties to make “snow” in this great indoor activity! 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Science Crafts and Creations – Relax and let your creativity flow as you create a custom creative snowflake, a penguin puppet and a snowflake magnet. Free with paid admission. 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
December 25 – CLOSED
December 26 & 27 – Mathemagician Art Benjamin (as seen on the Colbert Report)
If you love math and magic or you just want to impress everyone you meet with your lofty mental powers, don’t miss mathemagician Professor Art Benjamin doing his high-energy mental magic before your eyes. Named “America’s Best Math Whiz” by Readers Digest and the focus of reports from the Today Show, CNN, National Public Radio, The New York Times, People Magazine and Discover Magazine to name a few, Dr. Benjamin will demonstrate and explain his secret for doing rapid-fire mental math faster than a calculator. Don’t miss out…reserve ahead! J.D. Williams Science Theater, $5 per person.
December 26 - 1:30 & 2:30 pm
December 27 – 12:30, 1:30 & 2:30 pm
December 26 – 30 and January 1 – The Polar Express: An IMAX Experience pulls into the nation’s largest IMAX® Dome Theater for a limited engagement just in time for the holidays. See more details above. Run time: 100 minutes. One show daily at 6:15 pm. $8.50/children 2-12 and seniors 62+; $11.25/adult. Note: Infants under are 2 not permitted in the IMAX Dome Theater.
December 28 - The Playful Penguin Join presenters from Jenkinson’s Aquarium as they explain all about these amazing birds and let you meet one of their special penguin residents. Free with paid admission. Jennifer A. Chalsty Center Forum, 11:00, 12:00 & 1:00 pm.
December 28 - BubbleMania - Experience a high-energy mix of visual comedy, quick wit, swing music, and amazing soap bubble manipulations from round bubbles to intricate Bubble Art (bubble chains, bubble spaceships, fog-filled bubbles, and more). Learn how these shapes form, how to make a cube bubble and the science of bubble bursting, with each topic related to physical laws of the natural world. As seen on the Science Channel - great for all ages. Tickets are $5 per person. Joseph D. Williams Science Theater 1:30 & 2:30 pm.
December 28 - Animal Mythbuster – Live Animal Show
Can touching toads give you warts on your hands? Do slithery snakes have full backbones? Can spiny animals such as hedgehogs and porcupines throw their quills? Discover the real answers to some common misconceptions about animals and visit them up close! In the Eat & Be Eaten Gallery. Free with paid admission. 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30
December 28 – The Green Frog Survival Game
Come early or stay late after the Animal Mythbuster shows so your kids can channel their inner amphibians playing the Green Frog Survival game. They’ll hop and leap across a series of lily pads answering questions about amphibians and making real-life decisions faced by frogs as they mature from tadpole to adult. Will they reach the final pad? In the Eat & Be Eaten Gallery. Free with paid admission. 11:10 and 3:30 pm.
December 29 - Bash the Trash - You’ll never think of the contents of your recycling bin the same way again after you see this fast-paced, upbeat show. Performers build flutes, horns, percussion, and string instruments from discarded items, then play a toe-tapping concert. Finally, audience members make their own amazing instruments and take part in a triumphant parade through the Science Center. Tickets are $5 per person. Joseph D. Williams Science Theater. 1:30 pm.
December 29 – Animal Mythbuster – Live Animal Show
Can touching toads give you warts on your hands? Do slithery snakes have full backbones? Can spiny animals such as hedgehogs and porcupines throw their quills? Discover the real answers to some common misconceptions about animals and visit them up close! In the Eat & Be Eaten Gallery. Free with paid admission. 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30
December 29 – The Green Frog Survival Game
Come early or stay late after the Animal Mythbuster shows so your kids can channel their inner amphibians playing the Green Frog Survival game. They’ll hop and leap across a series of lily pads answering questions about amphibians and making real-life decisions faced by frogs as they mature from tadpole to adult. Will they reach the final pad? In the Eat & Be Eaten Gallery. Free with paid admission. 11:10 and 3:30 pm.
December 29 & 30 – Chromatography Snowflakes
You’ve heard that colors are made of different hues, but do you know how to separate them into individual components? Create your own blue snowflake then create rainbows on paper as you separate the blue dye into its constituent parts through the scientific method of chromatography. It’s colorful fun! Space is limited and signs ups are required. Gamma Lab. Thirty-minute lab sessions at 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 1:45 pm and 2:30 pm.
December 30 – Kip Rosser’s Theremin
What musical instrument is played without touching it? The theremin! Join Kip Rosser to hear the weird and wonderful sounds he generates simply by waving his hands in the air over what looks like a small box with an antenna. The hand motion mixes two oscillating waveforms to create eerie and beautiful music, but playing it is not as easy as it looks - this technique is difficult to master. Theremins have been used in movie soundtracks such as Miklos Rozsa's Spellbound and Lost Weekend. Free with paid admission. Interactive Theater, 12:30 & 1:30 pm.
December 30 - Animal Mythbuster – Live Animal Show
Can touching toads give you warts on your hands? Do slithery snakes have full backbones? Can spiny animals such as hedgehogs and porcupines throw their quills? Discover the real answers to some common misconceptions about animals and visit them up close! Free with paid admission. In the Eat & Be Eaten Gallery at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30
December 30 – The Green Frog Survival Game
Come early or stay late after the Animal Mythbuster shows so your kids can channel their inner amphibians playing the Green Frog Survival game. They’ll hop and leap across a series of lily pads answering questions about amphibians and making real-life decisions faced by frogs as they mature from tadpole to adult. Will they reach the final pad? Free with paid admission. In the Eat & Be Eaten Gallery at 11:00 am and 3:30 pm.
January 1 & 2– Meet Sid the Science Kid – In Person!
Join Sid the Science Kid from the popular PBSKIDS series SID THE SCIENCE
KID(tm) who will be on hand to greet his fans. The show introduces preschoolers to the basics of science through the eyes of an inquisitive 5-year-old named Sid whose curiosity about the world leads him to all kinds of discoveries. Sid asks adults to help answer the questions preschoolers find fascinating (Why do bananas go "bad?" How does my juice box straw work? What is hair for?). In doing so, he and his friends discover they can "do" their own science and make new discoveries every day. You'll find all the fun in Governor's Hall, including science-themed activity tables and small free souvenirs. Free with paid admission. 12:00pm - 3:00 pm.
Visitor Information
November Hours
Open Tuesday-Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and Mondays except December 27
Admission Prices
Exhibition Only Admission
Adults $15.75; Juniors (2-12)/Seniors (62+) $11.50; Infants (under 2) free
Add Lyuba visit (through November 10) $5.25 adults, $3.50 children 2-12 and seniors over 62. Infants under 2 are free.
Combination Ticket Includes Exhibits, J.D. Williams Theater and IMAX® Dome Theater
Adults $24.50; Juniors (2-12)/Seniors (62+) $18.50; Infants* (under 2) free. *Please note that films in the IMAX Dome Theater are not suitable for children under 6. Infants under 2 are not permitted in the IMAX Dome Theater.
For more information, please call 201.200.1000 or visit www.lsc.org.Dedicated to providing transformative experiences that connect schools and society with science and technology, Liberty Science Center is the New Jersey-New York City region's largest education resource. Motivated by an innovative philosophy and enabled by a $109 million expansion and renewal, Liberty Science Center is bringing the excitement of science to students, educators, families and adults in engaging new ways and establishing a progressive benchmark for the science center field. Visit www.lsc.org to learn more about Liberty Science Center in Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ.
Updated November 17, 2010