The Walne Family Discovery Lab is a unique, in-depth opportunity to experience hands-on STEM learning in the Exploration Center. Stop by the counter and try your hand at daily experiments and explorations led by an experienced Arboretum educator. With multiple chances to learn each day and rotating experiments every week, there’s always something new to learn. Please note that the Walne Family Discovery Lab is for ages 6 & up.

6/27-7/3 Stomp Rockets

Design your own rocket, then see who can launch theirs the highest. 

7/5-10 Seeds on the Move
Go on an adventure and travel like a seed. We’ll float, fly, and get carried away like a Seed on the Move. 

7/11-17 Battery in Your Pocket
Learn how the coins in your pocket can be turned into a battery. Also, learn about Edith Clarke, the first woman to earn a college degree in electrical engineering. 

7/18-24 Bird Symmetry
Birds have unique adaptations so they survive in their habitats. Explore symmetry and bird anatomy in this lab. 

7/25-31 Great Flying Grasshoppers
Create a flying grasshopper and see how high your grasshopper can jump. 

8/1-7 Paper Animal-tronics
After learning how to construct a circuit, you will create your own moving paper animal. 

8/8-14 Worm Investigations
As you investigate worms, you will learn how they help create nutrient, rich soils that plants thrive in. 

8/15-21 Bird Magnetism
North, South, East, West? How do birds figure out which direction is best? 

8/22-28 Build a Bird
Join us to create your very own bird! In this lab, we will dive into the colorful genetics of birds. 

8/29-9/4 Good Vibrations
Learn the science behind music when you create your own sounds and explore how sound travels in vibrations. 

9/5-11 Marvelous Maize
Did you know that maize, or corn, was grown in ancient Mexico? In this lab, you will investigate viscosity using a corn product commonly found in the food you eat. 

STEM Stops are your chance to stop and experience in-depth science and STEM learning in the Children’s Adventure Garden! Join facilitators throughout various galleries as they share fun experiments and real scientific specimens for you to explore that relate to topic of each gallery. STEM Stops are “come-n-go,” so each experience is guided by YOU and your discovery journey.

Times & Location  

12pm Texas Native Wetlands 
1:30pm Exploration Center Plaza
3:30pm Exploration Center Plaza

6/27-7/1 Out in Space
12pm • It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30pm • Pocket Solar System – Make your very own tiny solar system that you can fold and take with you!
3:30pm • Constellation Creations – Explore legends and stories about common constellations then create your own viewer.    

7/5-10 Summer Fruits, Veggies and Herbs
12pm • It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30pm • Magical Melons – Learn about the lifecycle of melons and put your math skill to the test using melons.
3:30pm • Veggie Seed Planting-Learn how to plant and care for your new vegetable.  

7/11-17 Women in STEM
12pm • It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30pm • Scientists – Learn more about the women featured in the If/Then project.
3:30pm • Fabulous Fibonacci – Learn about the Fibonacci sequence and Ynes Mexia, a Mexican-American botanist that collected and cataloged thousands of botanical specimens. 

7/18-23 Survival of the Fittest
12pm • It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30pm • Food Webs – Plants are an integral part of our ecosystem; let’s learn how energy is transferred and how plants play a vital role.
3:30pm • Owl Pellets- Learn how owls’ bodies have adapted to eat their prey whole!   

7/26-31 Insects and Creepy Crawlies
12pm • It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30pm • Moths and Butterflies – The Arboretum has many species of butterflies and moths that visit the flowers. Do you know the difference between a moth and butterfly?
3:30pm • Dragonflies and Damselflies, Oh My! – Texas Native Wetlands is home dragonflies and damselflies. Join us as we investigate these flying insects.    

8/1-7 Animal Adventures
12pm • It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30pm • Texas Snake-lets – Do you know what snakes live in Texas? Find out in this sssssensational snake STEM Stop.
3:30pm • Polliwog to Frog – Learn how frogs and toads trade their tales for legs as they grow and turn into adults.   

8/8-14 Bird Buffet
12pm • It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30pm • What’s in the Worm Bin? Look inside a worm bin and explore decomposition. What will you find?
3:30pm • Bird Beaks – Explore why varied species of birds have diverse types of beaks in this STEM Stop.

8/15-19 Take Off!
12pm • It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30pm • Paper Airplane Investigations – Discover aerodynamics and see whose plane can soar the longest.
3:30pm • Bird Silhouettes – Learn all about wing shapes, beak shapes, and more as we understand how birds are adapted for their habitat.   

8/22-28 Birds of a Feather, Flock Together
12pm • It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30pm • Texas Birds- Study local feathers up close and learn about the birds native to Texas’ ecosystems.
3:30pm • Feathered Friends- Take a close look at some amazing feather features at this STEM Stop. 

8/29-9/4 Music to My Ears
12pm • It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30pm • Fruit Tunes – Many birds love to eat fruit. Can you make music with a piece of fruit?
3:30pm • DIY Kazoo – Create your own kazoo out of household objects. Exploration Center

9/5-9 Hispanic Heritage programs
12pm • It’s the Pond Life: Live Pond investigation
1:30pm • Fruits and Veggies -Explore the fruits and vegetables from Central and South America.
3:30pm • Papel picado – Create your own punched paper decoration.  

The OmniGlobe is an “out of this world” experience in the Exploration Center you’ll have to see to believe! This six-foot sphere is illuminated by two projectors inside which can create expansive images of planets, the Sun, and even the Earth’s weather patterns, ocean currents and so much more. Take a midday cool-off break and join us at 11:30am daily for OmniOutlook, featuring current weather or space events.

Daily • 2:30pm

6/27-7/1 Tour the Solar System 

7/5-10 The Search for Food 

7/11-17 Tour the Solar System – Highlight on Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to travel in space. 

7/18-23 Life in the Solar System 

7/26-31 The Heat is On! 

8/1-7 Which Biome is My Home? 

8/8-14 Shakin’ & Quakin’ in My Boots 

8/15-19 Starry Night 

8/22-28 Mother Earth 

8/29-9/2 Hurricanes, Cyclones, & Typhoons 

9/6-9 Wonderous Weather 

At The Glade Puppet Story Time, we explore seasonal storybooks with the help of puppets. During this 10-15 minute program, for tiniest guest (0-5 years) will explore concepts related to nature, science, or holidays.

Weekdays • 10:30am    

6/27-7/1
The Astronaut with a Song for the Stars by Julia Finley Mosca 

7/5-8
Watermelon Wishes by Lisa Moser 

7/11-17
Shark Lady by Jess Keating 

7/18-22
Cactus Hotel by Brenda Guiberson 

7/26-29
Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert 

8/1-5 10
Little Rubber Ducks by Eric Carle 

8/8-12
Whoever Heard of a Flying Bird by David Cunliffe  

8/15-19
Flight School by Lita Judge 

8/22-26
Feathers, Not Just for Flying by Melissa Stewart 

8/29-9/2
Violet’s Music by Angela Johnson 

The Glade Puppet Show is a fun, interactive performance designed for learners ages 7 and under. Explore grade level appropriate topics such as seasons, metamorphosis, habitats and more as you meet Arboretum Andy and their crew of furry friends from around the Children’s Adventure Garden.

Weekends • 10:30am   

7/9-10: Purpose of Pollinating
What is a pollinator? How can they help the Apple Tree spread seeds? Find out! 

7/16-17: Marvelous Metamorphosis
Join Olivia as she discovers that some critters go through metamorphosis! 

7/30-31: Purpose of Pollinating
What is a pollinator? How can they help the Apple Tree spread seeds? Find out! 

8/6-7: Marvelous Metamorphosis
Join Olivia as she discovers that some critters go through metamorphosis! 

8/13-14: Finding My Way Home
Join a turtle, a toad, and a butterfly as they find their way to the right habitat to call home. 

8/27-28: Marvelous Metamorphosis
Join Olivia as she discovers that some critters go through metamorphosis! 

9/3-4: Finding My Way Home
Join a turtle, a toad, and a butterfly as they find their way to the right habitat to call home.