The Colorado Springs Cool Science Festival

Cool Science brings a wide variety of fun and engaging hands-on science activities year-round to schools, libraries and other public venues throughout eastern Colorado. Discover 16+ days of exciting, educational and engaging special events designed to showcase STEAM where it's taking place in Colorado Springs and around the Pikes Peak Region.

There are tons of awesome science-focused events taking place all around the Pikes Peak Region during the Cool Science Festival. We've listed our top 7 that you don't want to miss. For a full list of all the events, head to the Colorado Springs Cool Science Festival webpage.

Saturday, September 30: Cool Science Carnival Day for Kids

When:10 am - 4 pm
Where: UCCS
Cost: Free

The biggest event of the year! It's STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) featuring dozens of exciting and educational science shows, demonstrations, lab tours and hands-on activities for kids. Primarily K-8th grades, but fun for the whole family! Check the Carnival Day web page for much more information.

Sunday, October 1: Cool Bugs at the May Museum

When: 9 am - 6 pm
Where: May Natural History Museum
Cost: $9 (adults), $5 (children), $8 (seniors)

Their collection is home to over 7,000 species of insects, arachnids and other arthropods, one of the world's largest private collections of tropical insects. You'll see beautiful moths, bizarre beetles, amazing butterflies and much more. Bring the whole family for a fun adventure.

Tuesday, October 3: Live Night Sky Show at the US Air Force Academy Planetarium

When: 12 pm, 2 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm
Where: US Air Force Academy Planetarium
Cost: Free

Take a 30-minute live tour of the Night Sky, seeing wonders of the cosmos you can see with your own eyes and some you can’t. Immediately followed by "Oasis in Space," a full dome movie that will take you on a journey through the universe in search of water.

*You will need your driver’s license or military ID and proof of vehicle insurance to enter the base. Military ID is NOT required to enter the Academy. Please be prepared for potential security measures such as vehicle inspections.

Friday, October 6: Pikes Peak Summit House Tour - Behind the Scenes

When: 11 am - 12 pm
Where: Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center
Cost: $15 (adult) $5 (child) to enter the Pikes Peak highway. The event itself is free

Get a special behind-the-scenes tour of the new Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center! Learn about the ways this building situated at the top of 14,115 mountain was built to last and be sustainable.

Tuesday, October 10: Nature's Classroom - Discover Bear Creek

When: 1 pm - 2:30 pm
Where: Bear Creek Nature Center
Cost: $4 - prepaid registration required

A puppet show and discovery hike give children the opportunity to learn about and fine-tune their senses. Geared towards Pre-K and Kindergarten.

More information >

Wednesday, October 11: Family Friendly Bats & Cave Tour

When: 10 am - 4 pm
Where: Cave of the Winds Mountain Park
Cost: $12 - pre-registration required

Explore the electrically lit portion of Cave of the Winds on a guided walking tour which includes 15 rooms, a 1/2 mile of concrete walkways, and 196 stairs. On this family-friendly tour, you will learn about the history and geology of the cave and see some of the most beautiful formations. This is a special tour geared toward kindergarten through 5th grade but anyone can join!

More information >

Saturday, October 14: National Fossil Day Celebration

When: 10 am - 2 pm
Where: Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center
Cost: FREE

The folks at the Garden of the Gods Park and the Western Interior Paleontological Society (WIPS) are partnering with several other local organizations to bring you this FREE family event. There will be several fossil, dinosaur and natural history-themed activities for all ages with lots of giveaways. Live animals, informative lectures, educational tables, free fossils and much more. Bring in your own fossil to get identified!