Morehead Planetarium and Science Center

Magic Tree House Space Mission
2026-05-02 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-04-25 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-04-18 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York)

Saturday Science Sparks: Migration
2026-05-02 10:00 - 15:00 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Credit: The Avian Society at UNC-Chapel Hill

The Science of Migration

Calling All Bird Brains: Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day at Morehead

In this Saturday Science Sparks session, explore the wonders of winged migration through the tools of a bird researcher! With the help of UNC’s Sockman Lab, the UNC Avian Society, and the New Hope Bird Alliance, you’ll get the chance to help the scientists uncover how the Earth’s seasons impact a bird’s journey, discover the diverse bird species of North Carolina, and talk with Gloria Gao ’27, Founder of the Avian Society, as you engage in hands-on activities and learn how to become a community scientist for the benefit of birds (and people!).

Included with paid admission and located in the Launch Lab.

Schedule

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Please note: there will be a midday break.

MORE is happening at Morehead this year

New for 2026, Saturday Science Sparks offers Morehead guests a closer encounter with current science. Covering topics like astronomy, the physics of juggling, and computer science, this program collaborates with community partners and academic clubs, bringing you up-close experiences in the exciting world of STEAM. Saturday Science Sparks is open to the public and included in admission.

Credit: New Hope Bird Alliance

One Sky, Many Eyes
2026-05-01 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-04-24 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-04-17 16:30 - 17:30

Messengers of Time & Space
2026-05-01 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-24 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-17 15:00 - 16:00

Yoga Under The Stars
2026-04-29 18:00 - 19:00

Carolina Skies
2026-04-26 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-04-25 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-04-19 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-04-18 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-04-12 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-04-11 16:30 - 17:30

Supermassive Black Holes
2026-04-26 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-19 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-12 15:00 - 16:00

We Are Stars
2026-04-26 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-04-19 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-04-12 13:30 - 14:30

Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
2026-04-25 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-18 15:00 - 16:00

Astronaut
2026-04-25 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-04-18 13:30 - 14:30

From Earth to the Universe
2026-04-25 12:00 - 13:00

Teen Science Cafe: Hollywood Science
2026-04-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, United States
Hollywood Science with Dr. Alper Bozkurt

Please join us at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center for April’s Teen Science Cafe! In this interactive session, Dr. Alper Bozkurt will share his firsthand experiences at the intersection of science and storytelling. From consulting on Disney films to collaborating with creatives behind movies, documentaries, and games, he has seen how science inspires Hollywood and how Hollywood, in turn, inspires real scientific breakthroughs.

This talk will take you behind the scenes of:

Interactions with studios like The Walt Disney Company and Pixar

Collaborations with Oscar-winning or nominated actors and filmmakers

Visits to Hollywood studios and creative environments

How ideas from science shape Xbox and PlayStation games

If you are curious about the future of technology, storytelling, and imagination, this is your chance to see how your interests can come together in unexpected ways.

Open to teens ages 13-18, our monthly cafes include exciting activities, engaging talks from expert speakers, and even free food! Plus, we cover a variety of different topics, ranging from cell biology to deep space galaxies, making it a one-of-a-kind spot for high school students to explore new ideas, interact with each other, and have fun!

Doors will open at 6:00 pm for pizza and conversation. The cafe will start at 6:30 pm and wrap up around 7:30 pm.

Learn more about Teen Science Cafe

About Dr. Bozkurt

Prof. Alper Bozkurt joins us from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at NC State University where he holds an associated appointment at UNC-NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering. He is the director of the Integrated Bionic MicroSystem (iBionicS) Lab and co-director for National Science Foundation Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST) and NC State Institute of Connected Sensor Systems (IConS).

Alper Bozkurt is the McPherson Family Distinguished Professor in Engineering Entrepreneurship at NC State University. At iBionicS Lab, he builds technologies that connect electronics with living systems, from insects to plants, from animals to humans. He received his PhD in electrical engineering from Cornell University and his MSc in biomedical engineering from Drexel University. His work has been featured by major media outlets and earned him a spot on Popular Science’s “Brilliant 10” list. His research achievements on the Internet of Bionic Things have been covered by several media agencies, including BBC, CNN, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Science Channel, Newsweek, and Reuters.

Program Schedule

6:00 pm: Arrive and check in. We will gather inside the west, main entrance of Morehead.

6:00 – 6:30 pm: Pizza social. The pizza social will take place in our classrooms, located on the 2nd floor.

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Discussion & activities. Trivia will take place in the Science Stage.

Please Note: Depending on scheduled activities, the program may end between 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

Cosmic Colors
2026-04-18 12:00 - 13:00
