Science City at Union Station

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Science City at Union Station An interactive hands-on science museum located in Downtown Kansas City in historic Union Station. Throw the don't touch mindset out the window.
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Science City is a place of wonder, where kids and adults can find something new with each visit. There are no tests and no wrong or right answers, just a chance to explore with freedom and pure imagination. Its magic starts with its location. An architectural and historic marvel, Union Station provides a venue unlike any other science center in the nation. From the moment you pass under the clock tower to your first step inside the cityscape of Science City, the experience sets the stage for making memories. The educators at Science City are equally passionate about taking that magic outside the science center's walls. Every year, its educators reach out to schools and organizations across the Kansas City metropolitan area with assembly programs, stage shows and science nights.

Can we cure DIPG? Join us to explore the science behind emerging treatments for one of the most challenging pediatric br...
10/20/2026

Can we cure DIPG? Join us to explore the science behind emerging treatments for one of the most challenging pediatric brain tumors.

This Saturday, October 24, don’t miss the next installment in our 2026–27 Saturday STEM Seminar series, featuring a presentation and interactive Q&A with Dr. Monika Yadav, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Children’s Mercy Research Institute.

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is among the most challenging pediatric brain tumors, with limited treatment options and a critical need for new therapies.

This seminar will introduce attendees to the biology of DIPG and explore why this disease has remained such a formidable challenge in pediatric oncology. Learn how advances in genomics, epigenetics, neuroscience, and immunology have transformed our understanding of these tumors and opened new avenues for treatment.

Dr. Yadav will also highlight emerging strategies, including targeted therapies, immunotherapies, CAR T-cell therapy, novel drug delivery systems, and precision medicine approaches currently being evaluated in clinical trials.

Each Saturday STEM Seminar features a 45-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute interactive Q&A.

• Saturday, October 24, 9:00–10:00am
• Union Station's Extreme Screen Theatre
• Geared toward students in grades 7–12
• Open to everyone with an interest in STEM
• FREE to attend (registration required)

For FREE registration to attend the October 24 Saturday STEM Seminar >> https://bit.ly/Oct24SaturdaySTEM

Explore the entire 2026–27 Saturday STEM Seminar series and register for future events >> http://bit.ly/SaturdaySTEMSeminars

This month at Science City, it’s Engineering Exploration, with special activities and interactive demos happening daily ...
10/20/2026

This month at Science City, it’s Engineering Exploration, with special activities and interactive demos happening daily throughout the science center! PLUS Nature Works Animal Chats, Act Natural workshops, Early Learner activities, Workshop Wednesdays and more!

All included with Science City admission. Free for members.

PLEASE NOTE: This Saturday, Oct 24, is Science City's annual Spookfest celebration! Our regular monthly activities will be replaced by special Spookfest activities for the day.

MAKER STUDIO

Make a Mechanism – Create your very own simple mechanism using Makedo and cardboard construction tools. Will you create an arm, a leg, a robot claw?

CREATIVE CORNER

Paper Lanterns – Experience using a ruler and making exact measurements, as well as fine motor skills with scissors. Create your own lantern and take it home with you to help decorate for spooky season!

PERIODIC TABLE

Creating a Creature – Learn how probability and genetics help determine the different ways that creatures can look. Roll dice and decide what characteristics your creature will display.

Engineering Fun – Learn about physics principles such as gravity, speed and momentum as you construct components of a roller coaster project that will be added to throughout the month.

ENGINEERIUM

Design a spooky picture by using the provided LEGO bricks and base plate.

NATURE WORKS ANIMAL CHATS

Join us for our daily Animal Chats to learn more about our amazing animals!

11am and 3pm Tuesday through Saturday
12:30pm and 2pm Sundays

Learn how various fish and deep-sea creatures survive in some of the most inhospitable places in the ocean.

ACT NATURAL

Step into the Monster Movement Machine to become a monster, one movement at a time! Engineer your way through a series of checkpoints, adding and adapting your movements along the way to bring your chosen monster character to life. Will you become a vampire, werewolf, ghost, zombie, or another spooky character? Test, adapt, and move your way to the finish!

Wednesday, 3-4pm
Saturday, 1pm-4pm:

EARLY LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Tinker Tots – On alternating weeks all month long, your young engineer can help the Three Little Pigs construct a sturdy house and test the effects of incline and decline with various ramps and cars.

Early Learning highlights for this month:

Talk: "What is the strongest material?" "Why did that blow down?" "What if we moved the ramp lower or higher?"

Sing: "Shapes Are All Around"

Read: Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty.

Write: Fine motor skills development.

Play: Blocks, puzzles, and sensory station.

Early Learner activities take place in the PNC Learning Lab
Wednesday through Saturday
10am-1pm

👻🎃 Science City's Spookfest returns this Saturday, Oct 24, and it's an epic day of HALLOWEEN FUN for the whole family yo...
10/19/2026

👻🎃 Science City's Spookfest returns this Saturday, Oct 24, and it's an epic day of HALLOWEEN FUN for the whole family you won't want to miss!

Enjoy spooky-themed activities, live science demonstrations with a Halloween twist, creepy creatures, hands-on experiments, make-and-takes, a spectacular pumpkin drop, a spooky stage show, kids and family costume contests, and more!

Spookfest activities include:

🎃 Jumping Spiders – Create your own creepy-crawly spider!

🎃 Boo Buddies – Make your own wearable ghost or jack-o'-lantern!

🎃 Science Laboratory – Spooky science experiments, mysterious reactions, and more!

🎃 Skele-fun – Bone up on your skeleton knowledge!

🎃 Candy Catapults – Build your own catapult and see how far you can launch candy!

🎃 40,000 Leagues – Discover the creepy creatures of the deep!

🎃 Monster Movement Showdown – Move like a monster in this spooky engineering challenge!

🎃 The Great Pumpkin Drop, sponsored by United Rentals – Watch pumpkins make a spectacular SPLAT! (11am, 12pm, 2pm & 3pm)

🎃 Spooky Stage Show – High-energy Halloween-themed science experiments! (4:15pm)

🎃 Costume Contest – Show off your costume and compete for prizes! Ages 0–4, 5–9, 10+, and family categories! (4:45pm)

🎃 PLUS, allergy-friendly candy and treats available as you explore Science City!

And that's not all! Enjoy all your Science City favorites as you explore three massive floors packed with more than 300 interactive exhibits and high-energy play spaces!

All Spookfest activities are included with Science City admission and FREE for Members!

Join us:
Saturday, Oct 24
10am-5pm

Learn more about each activity and get your tickets online in advance >> https://bit.ly/ScienceCitySpookfest

PLEASE NOTE: For the safety of our guests, Union Station does not allow costumes or cosplay that include a mask or face covering for guests 13 and older.

Add to your Science City Spookfest adventure with tickets to Laser Spooktacular at the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium! 🎃👻Hal...
10/18/2026

Add to your Science City Spookfest adventure with tickets to Laser Spooktacular at the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium! 🎃👻

Halloween favorites come to life in this spectacular display of laser lights and animations featuring the unforgettable themes from Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Munsters, Ghostbusters, and Stranger Things, along with spooky classics Monster Mash, Darth Vader's March, Time Warp, and Michael Jackson's Thriller.

It's frightfully fun for the whole family and not to be missed!

• Saturday, October 24
• Showtimes: 1:00pm and 3:00pm

Get your tickets now >>
https://bit.ly/GottliebPlanetarium

General Admission $8 | Union Station Members $5

PLEASE NOTE: Laser Spooktacular is a separately ticketed experience. Science City guests may leave Spookfest to enjoy the laser show and then re-enter Science City afterward.

Discover for yourself why Science City was voted KC's Favorite Family-Friendly Attraction and Best Family Fun!Spend a fe...
10/18/2026

Discover for yourself why Science City was voted KC's Favorite Family-Friendly Attraction and Best Family Fun!

Spend a few hours or an entire day exploring three massive floors of themed discovery areas packed with more than 300 interactive exhibits and high-energy play spaces.

There’s fun for kids of every age, from toddlers to early teens (and parents, too), and something NEW to experience every visit!

Plan your visit and purchase tickets >> https://sciencecity.unionstation.org/

Science City Fall Hours
• Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-5pm
• Sunday: 12pm-5pm
• Closed Mondays

👻🎃 Science City's Spookfest returns Saturday, October 24, and it's an epic day of HALLOWEEN FUN for the whole family you...
10/18/2026

👻🎃 Science City's Spookfest returns Saturday, October 24, and it's an epic day of HALLOWEEN FUN for the whole family you won't want to miss!

Enjoy spooky-themed activities, live science demonstrations with a Halloween twist, creepy creatures, hands-on experiments, make-and-takes, a spectacular pumpkin drop, a spooky stage show, kids and family costume contests, and more!

Spookfest activities include:

🎃 Jumping Spiders – Create your own creepy-crawly spider!

🎃 Boo Buddies – Make your own wearable ghost or jack-o'-lantern!

🎃 Science Laboratory – Spooky science experiments, mysterious reactions, and more!

🎃 Skele-fun – Bone up on your skeleton knowledge!

🎃 Candy Catapults – Build your own catapult and see how far you can launch candy!

🎃 40,000 Leagues – Discover the creepy creatures of the deep!

🎃 Monster Movement Showdown – Move like a monster in this spooky engineering challenge!

🎃 The Great Pumpkin Drop, sponsored by United Rentals – Watch pumpkins make a spectacular SPLAT! (11am, 12pm, 2pm & 3pm)

🎃 Spooky Stage Show – High-energy Halloween-themed science experiments! (4:15pm)

🎃 Costume Contest – Show off your costume and compete for prizes! Ages 0–4, 5–9, 10+, and family categories! (4:45pm)

🎃 PLUS, allergy-friendly candy and treats available as you explore Science City!

And that's not all! Enjoy all your Science City favorites as you explore three massive floors packed with more than 300 interactive exhibits and high-energy play spaces!


All Spookfest activities are included with Science City admission and FREE for Members!

Join us:
Saturday, October 24
10am-5pm


Learn more about each activity and get your tickets online in advance >> https://bit.ly/ScienceCitySpookfest


PLEASE NOTE: For the safety of our guests, Union Station does not allow costumes or cosplay that include a mask or face covering for guests 13 and older.

PARENTS! Join us for hours of indoor and outdoor fun at KC's favorite family attraction! 😎 Screen-free fun for ...
10/17/2026

PARENTS! Join us for hours of indoor and outdoor fun at KC's favorite family attraction! 😎

Screen-free fun for kids of all ages, from toddlers to early teens, and parents, too!

• 3 MASSIVE FLOORS of themed spaces!
• 300+ interactive exhibits and high-energy play zones!
• Jurassic Journey featuring lifelike, life-size animatronic dinosaurs, fossils, skeletons, and interactive elements!
• Multi-level indoor climber!
• SkyBike, DinoLab, Nature Works, Maker Studio, Light Lab!
• Creative spaces, train-themed spaces, science-inspired games, robotics, illusions, and MORE!
• Dedicated spaces built just for early learners ages three and under.
• Educator-led activities, make-and-takes, science demos, and interactive workshops.
• Fun for kids of all ages — from toddlers to early teens — and parents, too!

Plan your visit and pre-purchase Science City tickets >> https://sciencecity.unionstation.org

Fall Hours:
• Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-5pm
• Sunday: 12pm-5pm
• Closed Mondays

Come for a few hours — or stay all day! Same-day re-admission is always allowed with a Science City wristband

Can we cure DIPG? Join us to explore the science behind emerging treatments for one of the most challenging pediatric br...
10/17/2026

Can we cure DIPG? Join us to explore the science behind emerging treatments for one of the most challenging pediatric brain tumors.

On Saturday, October 24, don’t miss the next installment in our 2026–27 Saturday STEM Seminar series, featuring a presentation and interactive Q&A with Dr. Monika Yadav, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Children’s Mercy Research Institute.

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is among the most challenging pediatric brain tumors, with limited treatment options and a critical need for new therapies.

This seminar will introduce attendees to the biology of DIPG and explore why this disease has remained such a formidable challenge in pediatric oncology. Learn how advances in genomics, epigenetics, neuroscience, and immunology have transformed our understanding of these tumors and opened new avenues for treatment.

Dr. Yadav will also highlight emerging strategies, including targeted therapies, immunotherapies, CAR T-cell therapy, novel drug delivery systems, and precision medicine approaches currently being evaluated in clinical trials.

Each Saturday STEM Seminar features a 45-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute interactive Q&A.

• Saturday, October 24, 9:00–10:00am
• Union Station's Extreme Screen Theatre
• Geared toward students in grades 7–12
• Open to everyone with an interest in STEM
• FREE to attend (registration required)

For FREE registration to attend the October 24 Saturday STEM Seminar >> https://bit.ly/Oct24SaturdaySTEM

Explore the entire 2026–27 Saturday STEM Seminar series and register for future events >> http://bit.ly/SaturdaySTEMSeminars

10/16/2026

TODAY! 5:30pm-9:00pm 🍹🎉 Join us for our first Science City After Hours. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

No kids. No field trips. Just one seriously fun adults-only night at Science City packed with music, drinks, science, games and plenty of opportunities to explore and play.

On Friday, October 16, experience all your favorite exhibits without the kids, then discover a whole new side of Science City with experiences created just for After Hours!

Sing karaoke beneath the stars in the Planetarium. Cozy up around the fire with s’mores. Catch an old-school film. Challenge your crew to yard games. Get hands-on in the Maker Studio and Creative Corner. And experience the wild side of chemistry with special After Hours demos!

Throughout the night, we'll feature a live DJ, themed activities, community partners, food and drinks.
Whether you grew up visiting Science City, love all things science or just want a night out that's completely unique, this is your chance to explore, experiment, create, compete and play your way through Science City.

Friday, October 16
5:30pm-9:00pm

Purchase Tickets >> https://bit.ly/ScienceCityAfterHours

• General Admission $25
• Members $20
• Plus 10% Union Station Preservation Fee

Science City After Hours is exclusively for guests 21+. Admission includes ONE cocktail ticket and ALL activities. Additional beverages and food will be available for purchase.
Outdoor activities are weather permitting. All activities are while supplies last.

Address

30 W Pershing Road
Kansas City, MO
64108

Telephone

+18164602000

Website

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