Special Holiday Events 2011
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 22 – Math Midway Exhibition
Explore surprising aspects of math in a fun-filled, carnival-themed exhibition from the Museum of Mathematics. Guests will delight to riding on a square-wheeled tricycle, playing mathematical games of chance, using a laser beam to find hidden shapes within shapes and more. Suitable for ages 6 and up. Free with paid admission or membership. In the Featured Experience Gallery, Fourth Floor. For more information see lsc.org/math-midway. Liberty Science Center is pleased to recognize Bank of America as a proud sponsor of the Year of Math.
Veterans Day, November 11 – Potato Chip Science
Meet award-winning author extraordinaire Allen Kurzweil and watch him put potatoes through their paces with his fast-moving, always exciting show. Find out why The Washington Post recently called “Potato Chip Science” an “off-the-charts fave” with kids. Suitable for ages 6 and up. Shows are free with paid admission or membership. Interactive Theater, First Floor, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm.
November 12 – The Magic School Bus
She’s back and as wacky as ever! Meet Ms. Frizzle in person and enjoy loads of fun on a real bus with interactive computer programs, games and detailed exhibits about curious-kid favorites including ocean life, the solar system, weather, volcanoes, insects and the human body. Suitable for ages 4-12. Free with paid admission or membership. Parking Lot, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
November 12 & 13 – Green Frog Survival Game
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 you reach the final pad? Suitable for ages 5-8. Free with paid admission or membership. Eat & Be Eaten, Third Floor, 2:00 pm.
November 26 – Archimedes
He’s best known for crying “Eureka” when making a discovery, but the brilliant Archimedes of Syracuse, Italy is considered by many to be the greatest mathematician of the ancient world. An inventor, physicist, astronomer, and philosopher born in 237 BC, Archimedes has a lot to teach us about creative discovery and insight. Meet him in “person” in this lively program with plenty of audience participation. Suitable for guests ages 8 and up. Interactive Theater, 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm. “Archimedes” is free with paid admission.
Daily in December – Be A Surgeon Live Science presentation (except December 25)
Working with our trained science educators, selected child volunteers will scrub and dress for exploratory surgery to diagnose why Hannah Banana has a pain in her side. Everyone will learn about germs and the importance of sterilization in this 30-minute presentation. Suitable for ages 6-12. Free with paid admission or membership. Infection Connection exhibition,Third Floor, 11:30 am.
December 3, 10, 17, 23 & 26 – 30 – 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 pm and 7:15 pm except December 26-30 when there is a single 6:15 pm show time.
The 12 Days of Science
December 21 – January 1 (closed December 25)
Make the holidays extra special with a visit to Liberty Science Center. With the kids on vacation and out of town guests to entertain, you’ll all revel in our own special brand of wintry science fun at the fifth annual 12 Days of Science celebration. Find daily event details below.
Daily December 21 – January 1 – Pocket Science
It’s an all-new program! What’s in our pockets? Science! Each enthusiastic LSC staffer in a lab coat has a mini science investigation in his or her pocket. You may encounter them anywhere in the building from the entry area to the exhibition floors. When you do, they’ll help you investigate earth science, electricity, entomology, animal facts, or another exciting topic. Find them almost anywhere in their distinctive lab coats. Ask a question and get a sticker! Free with paid admission or membership. Suitable for all ages.
Daily December 21 – January 1 – Green Frog Survival Game
Elementary school children hop and leap across a series of lily pads as they learn about the challenges faces by frogs as they mature from tadpole to adult. Free with general admission or membership. Eat and Be Eaten, Third Floor, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm.
December 21 & 22 – Liquid 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 in this 20-minute show suitable for all ages! Free with paid admission or membership. Interactive Theater, First Floor, at 11:30 am. Space and quantities are limited and available on a first come, first-served basis.
Daily December 21 – January 1 – Insta-Snow®
Learn about chains of molecules called polymers then use one with unique properties to make “snow” in this great indoor activity suitable for ages 6 and up! Free with paid admission or membership. Governors Hall, Second Floor, from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
December 22 – 24 – Animal Mythbusters
Can touching toads give you warts? Do slithery snakes have full backbones? Discover the real answers to some common misconceptions about animals and visit them up close in this 45-minute program. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Free with paid admission or membership. Eat and Be Eaten, Third Floor, December 22-24 at 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm.
Daily December 21 – January 1 – Science Arts & Crafts
Get creative by making snowman magnets and penguin puppets. You’ll create great gifts for friends and relatives while learning facts about penguins and tips for building real snowmen at home. Suitable for ages 4 -12. Free with paid admission or membership. Infection Connection, Third Floor, from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
December 25 – Closed
December 26 & 27 – Meet “Buddy” from Jim Henson’s Dinosaur Train on PBS Kids
Meet Buddy, the preschool aged Tyrannosaurus rex from Dinosaur Train in person! Buddy travels through prehistoric jungles, swamps, volcanoes and oceans teaching youngsters about biology, natural history and paleontology. Take a moment to say “hi” and make your very own dinosaur mask to take home! Free with paid admission or membership. Interactive Theater, First Floor, 11:00 pm – 2:00 pm.
December 27 & 28 – Mathemagician Art Benjamin (as seen on the Colbert Report)
If you love math and want to impress everyone you meet with your lofty mental powers, don’t miss Mathemagician Art Benjamin and his high-energy mental math show. Named “America’s Best Math Whiz” by Readers Digest and the focus of reports from the Today Show and CNN to The New York Times 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. You can do this! Free with paid admission or membership. J.D. Williams Science Theater, Second Floor, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm & 2:30 pm.
December 27 – 29 – Liquid 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 in this 20-minute show suitable for all ages! Free with paid admission or membership. Interactive Theater, First Floor, at 2:30 pm & 4:00 pm. Space and quantities are limited and available on a first come, first-served basis.
December 28 & 29 – Penguin Pointers
Join presenters from Jenkinson’s Aquarium as they explain all about these amazing birds and let you meet one of their special penguin residents in this 45-minute show. Free with paid admission. Jennifer A. Chalsty Center Forum, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm.
December 28 – 31 – Animal Mythbusters
Can touching toads give you warts? Do slithery snakes have full backbones? Discover the real answers to some common misconceptions about animals and visit them up close in this 45-minute program. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Free with paid admission or membership. Eat and Be Eaten, Third Floor, December 22-24 at 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm & 2:30 pm.
December 29 & 30 – Archimedes
He’s best known for crying “Eureka” when making a discovery, but the brilliant Archimedes of Syracuse, Italy is considered by many to be the greatest mathematician of the ancient world. An inventor, physicist, astronomer, and philosopher born in 237 BC, Archimedes has a lot to teach us about creative discovery and insight. Meet him in “person” in this lively program with plenty of audience participation. Suitable for guests ages 8+, “Archimedes” is free with paid admission or membership. Interactive Theater, 12:00 & 2:30 pm.
NOTE: All schedules and activities are subject to change without notice and space or supplies may be limited. Activities are available on a first come, first served basis.
Holiday Season Hours
November: Tuesday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Weekends 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. November 25 & 26 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. Closed Mondays and Thanksgiving.
December: Tuesday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Saturday and Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Mondays except Dec 26* Closed.
Special holiday hours: December 24 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Closed December 25.
December 26* – 30 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.
Admission Prices
Exhibition Admission
Adults $15.75, Juniors (2-12)/Seniors (62+) $11.50, Infants (under 2) free
Combination Ticket Includes Exhibits, J.D. Williams Theater regular 3D, 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 1, 2011
pat. marsden
Thursday 3rd of November 2011
They really have great exhibits--loved Jim Garry's dinosaurs from car parts art one I saw years back.