Cranbrook Institute of Science

06/01/2026

TEACHERS: Visit Cranbrook Institute of Science for free during our Teacher Open House on Wednesday, June 3, 2026!

We've emptied out our education storage and are giving away the items! Pre-register online to shop one hour before everyone else!

Plus, you can meet community partners, attend breakout sessions for SCECHs, and attend a planetarium program!

https://science.cranbrook.edu/visit/events/2026-06/teacher-open-house

05/30/2026

Thank you to the Community Partners who will be participating in our Teacher Open House next week!

⭐ Cranbrook Art Museum
⭐ Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research
⭐ Detroit Zoological Society
⭐ Michigan Agriculture in the Classroom
⭐ Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
⭐ MDHHS Environmental Health Bureau
⭐ Michigan Department of Natural Resources – Nature Awaits
⭐ Oakland Community College
⭐ Oakland County Parks
⭐ Oakland Schools ISD
⭐ Oakland Talking Book Service
⭐ REMC Association of Michigan

https://science.cranbrook.edu/visit/events/2026-06/teacher-open-house

05/29/2026

We’re pleased to announce the breakout session topics for our Teacher Open House on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Teachers, these count towards your SCECHs!

"Dinosaurs & 3D Science" and "Place-based Climate Science with a Positive Spin"
Cranbrook Institute of Science

"EGLE Classroom Lending Station"
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

"Framing & Minimizing Educator Science Anxiety"
Oakland Community College

"MI Green Schools"
Michigan Department of Environment

"SubjectToClimate: Free Teacher Guides"
Michigan Education Climate Hub (SubjectToClimate)

"Universal Design for Learning: Designing The Educational Experience to Foster Learner Agency"
Oakland Schools - Michigan

https://science.cranbrook.edu/visit/events/2026-06/teacher-open-house

05/28/2026

Did you see something streaking through the sky yesterday morning? Cranbrook Institute of Science Director of Astronomy Mike Narlock spoke with WWJ about what it might have been.

What was that fireball in the sky? The phones in the WWJ Newsradio 950 newsroom lit up Wednesday morning, shortly after 5 a.m., with people reporting seeing something burning falling from the sky — some of them in the area of Detroit Metro Airport. | WWJ Newsradio 950

05/26/2026

Don’t miss your chance to explore the Mystery of the Mayan Medallion exhibit and reveal the lost jade medallion before it disappears!

🗺️ Translate glyphs
🐍 Identify dangerous rainforest animals
⚱️ Explore tombs and artifacts

⏳ Time is running out to experience this immersive, family-friendly exhibit!

05/25/2026

Love rocks, fossils, and the stories they tell? We’ve got two incredible opportunities for you this June!

DISCOVERY DAYS: ROCK ON
Saturday, June 13, 2026

Discover the fascinating world of rocks, minerals, fossils, and meteorites!

Meet local experts, try hands-on activities, and explore:
🪨 Rock and mineral identification
🪨 Crack open your own geode
🪨 Earthquake engineering challenges
🪨 Meteorite vs. imposter games

UNEARTH ALPENA: FOSSIL EXPEDITION
Saturday, June 20, 2026

Ready to take your curiosity into the field? Join us in Alpena for a fossil-hunting adventure with renowned paleontologist “Paleo Joe.” You’ll:

⛏️ Dig for real fossils at a quarry
⛏️ Learn excavation techniques
⛏️ Explore Devonian-period history (350 million years ago!)
⛏️ Get expert guidance from Cranbrook Institute of Science fossil specialists

This is a one-of-a-kind experience—and spots are limited!

🪨 Start with discovery.
⛏️ Then dig deeper.

👉 Spots are limited for Unearth Alpena—sign up now!

https://science.cranbrook.edu/visit/events

05/23/2026

The Erb Family Science Garden is now open for the season!

Wednesday - Saturday: 10:00am - Dusk
Sunday: 12:00pm - Dusk

Explore Michigan native plants and enjoy flow pools in this garden designed by Landscape Architect Peter Osler!

Access to the garden is included FREE with admission to the museum.

https://science.cranbrook.edu/explore/science-garden

05/21/2026

Educators: Discover our field trip and outreach programs, explore professional development offerings and resources, and more during our Teacher Open House!

📅 Wednesday, June 3, 2026
🕠 5:30pm – 8:00pm

✔️ Earn SCECHs while enjoying breakout sessions with Cranbrook Institute of Science, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Michigan Education Climate Hub (SubjectToClimate), Oakland Community College, and Oakland Schools - Michigan.

🍎 Meet community partners who can elevate your classroom experience.

✏️ Free teacher supplies ranging from STEM kits to large science equipment (register for early access).

🌠 Experience a program in the Acheson Planetarium.

🆓 The Teacher Open House is free for educators.

Visit our website to learn more and register.

https://science.cranbrook.edu/visit/events/2026-06/teacher-open-house

05/20/2026

We’re excited to introduce the Community Science Network—a new initiative connecting our community directly with real scientific research!

Be part of our flagship project, Project BEACON, exploring how artificial light at night impacts insect communities across metro Detroit.

As a community scientist, you’ll:

🔬 Collect real ecological data
🦇 Observe nocturnal insects and wildlife
🌃 Explore the night sky through guided observation
📱 Contribute to global research using iNaturalist

We welcome participants ages 18+ with all levels of experience—whether you are new to community science or already love insects, astronomy, photography, or nighttime ecology.

Training sessions are now open for registration. Learn more and get involved at: https://science.cranbrook.edu/explore/community-science-network

Project BEACON is funded via ASTC and iNaturalist’s Seeding Action program, and in partnership with Oakland County Parks.

05/15/2026

We're open late tomorrow, May 15, 2026!

Experience an Acheson Planetarium program (or two!), join a conversation on the impacts of light pollution, check out the observatory, and explore the Mystery of the Mayan Medallion exhibit.

https://science.cranbrook.edu/visit/schedule/2026-05-15