Children ages four and up are welcome to join SMLI on their days off from school to enjoy hours of fun, hand-on science activities. Children can participate in experiments, create crafts, and observe demonstrations.

Schedule/Themes: 

• September 23: Down by the Bay: Head to the beach and discover the vast diversity of univalves, bivalves, birds and other creatures that call Manhasset Bay home by exploring their habitat up close. 
• September 24: Earth Connections: Discover just how alive the earth is and all the ways different living things are connected to one another. From tree root and fungus relationships to the water cycle and more, learn just how hustle and bustle the world is.
• October 2: Autumn Adventures: Celebrate the return of chilly weather, as we observe the changes of the season at Leeds Pond Preserve. Find out what species of birds are preparing to hunker down for the winter, and which will be jetting off to migrate someplace warmer. 
• October 13: Spooky Science: Halloween is almost here! Let's explore the spookier side of science, with strange creations, creepy critters and more. Join us for the return of our Hissing Cockroach race. 
• October 20: Brilliant and Bright: Dive into the fascinating world of light and color, discovering how deeply connected they are. Explore the mysteries of light waves, visible light, and the mesmerizing phenomenon of bioluminescence. 
• November 21: Physics of Fun: Jump into the world of physics through play! Discover how forces such as gravity, friction impact how objects interact with the world around them. Play with toys that spin, pop, and even create something of your own to take home.
• November 26: Did you know that scientists make great cooks? Explore how chemical reactions are responsible for some of our favorite foods like bread, cookies and more! Experiment with different ingredients and taste test your creations. 
• December 4: Fossil Finds: Let's go back in time to when dinosaurs roamed our planet. Learn the unique differences between herbivores and carnivores, how each dinosaur got their name and more. Try your hand at designing a dinosaur of your very own.

Send your child with a packed lunch. Children are grouped by grade, starting with pre-k (3.5 years old). Some grades may be grouped together.