This July marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, the space mission that landed the first two people on the moon.
The New York Hall of Science in Corona is marking the momentous occasion with special summer activities for the whole family.
From May 17 until the end of August, NYSCI is treating guests to flight and space-themed exhibits, workshops, demonstrations, installations and a new film. The celebration begins with the premiere of “Apollo 11: First Steps Edition,” which includes never-before-seen footage of the historic day on July 20, 1969.
“NYSCI is excited to have the excuse of the Apollo 11 anniversary to celebrate past and present space exploration,” said Liz Slagus, director of public programs and residencies at NYSCI. “Achievements in terms of technologies, research and brave first steps will be on display with a full program of exhibitions, experiences, hands-on activities, screenings and events. Please join our summer-long party!”
Other activities include NYSCI’s summer exhibition, “Above and Beyond – The Ultimate Flight Exhibition,” and an evening event celebrating the Apollo 11 lunar landing called Apollo, A Party!
Check out the full summer program schedule below.
Apollo 11: First Steps Edition
May 17 to June 14; daily, 2 p.m. and June 15, 2019, to Jan 21, 2020; daily, 3 p.m.
The 20-minute film gives viewers an inside look at what really happened during the first lunar landing 50 years ago. Filmmakers were able to reconstruct the final moments of preparation, liftoff, landing and return of the 1969 mission using never-before-seen footage and newly discovered audio recordings. “Apollo 11: First Steps Edition” is directed by Todd Douglas Miller, produced by Statement Pictures in partnership with CNN Films and presented by Land Rover and Samsung.
Cost: $6 adults, $5 children, students and senior citizens, plus NYSCI admission.
Above and Beyond – The Ultimate Flight Exhibition
June 1 to Sept. 8
Visitors will be treated to interactive experiences that open their eyes to the wonders of flight, space travel and aerospace innovation, design and technology. The exhibition uses flight simulation, augmented reality, touch-tables, design and skill challenges and virtual reality. Exhibits include a 180-degree immersive theater presentation, a high-tech media-rich historical timeline, a simulated space elevator ride, a challenge to design and test a supersonic fighter jet in a virtual high-speed flying competition, and an aviator-based motion-capture group experience that demonstrates flight like a bird.
Cost: $4 per person, plus NYSCI admission. Members get in free.
Pick It Up: Space Edition
June 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30, 2019; 10 a.m to 5:45 p.m.
Visitors design a grabber to collect space rocks.
Cost: Free with NYSCI admission.
Shadow Stories
June 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30, 2019; 10 a.m to 5:45 p.m.
Kids use shadows to tell stories about flight and space.
Cost: Free with NYSCI admission.
Scroll Saw Gliders
Fridays, June 14 to Sept. 6. No workshop on July 26; 2 to 4:30 p.m.
This activity is recommended for people ages 7 and older. Participants use a power tool called a scroll saw to cut, assemble and test customized gliders. Visitors get the option to work from pre-made templates or design their own gliders.
Cost: Free with NYSCI admission.
Origami Airplanes
Fridays, June 14 to Sept. 6. No workshop on July 26; 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Remember making paper airplanes as a kid? This workshop will give visitors a taste of that nostalgia and learn different techniques to make paper airplanes. Their completed airplanes will help to contribute to a collaborative airplane origami structure and will even get to take some airplanes home. This activity is recommended for visitors ages 7 or older.
Cost: Free with NYSCI admission.
Ziplines
July 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28, 2019; 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Visitors design aerodynamic objects that can move across the room via ziplines.
Cost: Free with NYSCI admission.
Planet Exploration
July 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28, 2019; 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Visitors design items to either survive, explore or collect data on a planet that has different parameters than Earth.
Cost: Free with NYSCI admission.
Imaging Women in the Space Age
July 13 – Nov. 3
This exhibition, curated by Julie Wosk illustrates vintage and current images of women in the space age. It includes images from fashion, television, film, animation, video games and pop culture such as Barbie astronaut dolls. The exhibition also shows new developments in space-inspired fashion for women, like space gear and space suits.
Cost: Free with NYSCI admission.
Escape the Planet!
July 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28; noon to 4 p.m.
Artist Andrew Scoville and scientist Moiua McTier collaborated to create this 15-minute space adventure. This project was created as part of NYSCI’s ACCESS 2018: Space Exploration project, where artists and scientists partnered to create experiences around a theme of space exploration.
Cost: Free with NYSCI admission.
Apollo, A Party!
July 20; 7 to 10 p.m.
This late-night party celebrates the lunar landing after hours. This family-friendly party allows visitors to enjoy space-themed music, drinks, treats, solar observations and stargazing with members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of NY, a Mars Rover replica to maneuver and other astronomy and tech-related hands-on activities with Jupiter Joe’s Sidewalk Astronomy, a DIY solar charger workshop (extra fee required), as well as interactive projects and performances created by artist and scientist collaborations focused on space exploration. Also included is a special screening of “Apollo 11: First Steps Edition” and access to NYSCI’s summer exhibition “Above and Beyond – The Ultimate Flight Exhibition.”
Cost: Free with NYSCI admission.
Astronomy Discovery Lab (Ages 8 to 9)
July 22 to 26; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This weeklong camp will be chock full of activity for aspiring young astronomers. Children ages 8 and 9 will learn about astronomy, observe constellations in the museum’s Stellarium, and make their own telescopes. They will also get the opportunity to discover the conditions necessary for life to survive on other planets and how life adapts to conditions otherwise hostile to humans. Interactive activities include exhibit exploration, a student certificate of completion and a free six-month student membership. Includes a mid-morning snack.
Cost: $400 per child and $375 for NYSCI members. Preregistration required.
Dropped Calls: Space Edition
Aug. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31, 2019; 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Visitors engineer a way to safely drop a sensor pack from 15 feet in the air.
Cost: Free with NYSCI admission.
Air-Powered Vehicles
Aug. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31, 2019; 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Visitors design a vehicle to travel across terrains from around the world.
Cost: Free with NYSCI admission.
For more information, visit nysci.org or call 718-699-0005. Follow NYSCI on Twitter and Instagram @nysci, and on Facebook at facebook.com/nysci.
