Science Saturdays

Join us at Severson Dells for these family-friendly, open-house style events. Each month will have a different nature theme full of hands-on, minds-on activities for guests of all ages to participate in. Weather permitting, there will also be guided hikes.


All Science Saturdays are FREE!


Most Science Saturdays are 10 am to 2 pm except when specified.

Fungi Funday

Make room for mushrooms! View fungi under microscopes, embark on a mushroom hike, learn about mushroom uses in food & medicine, and even create spore art!

Green Guardians

Become Green Guardians and learn about sustainable living! Hands-on activities include composting, water purification, clean air experiments, upcycled crafts, and when to reduce, reuse, or recycle.

Pollinator Palooza

Celebrate our Pollinators! Learn about life cycles of bees, butterflies, birds, and more! Meet live buterflies, and even take home Milkweed!

Beat the Heat

Find out how to survive the summer from the coolest plants and animals around! Experience their adaptations with hands-on activities and take-away resources on how to keep you and your family cool this summer!

Nature's Blueprint

Engineers learn from nature everyday! How do bees build hives? How do animals build shelter? Learn how engineers mimic animal ingenuity. Hands-on acitivites also include lessons on nature materials used in building: silk, wood, etc., and energy in nature: wind turbines, solar power, water power

Winged Wonders

Learn all about our flying creatures! Bugs vs. Birds: who has the better wings? Engage with activites on the science of flight, bat echolocation, and test your skills in a flight simulator. Plus: meet live winged creatures!

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We’re grateful that 2025 Science Saturdays are generously supported by The Dr. Louis & Violet Rubin Fund with the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Nicor Gas, & United For Literacy with United Way Rock River Valley!

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