Overview
Family Science Day
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 1-5 pm & 7-11 pm
Science Building 36 and Theatre Building 3
Join us for science workshops, planetarium shows, firefighter demonstrations and hands-on makerspace projects from 1-5 pm. At 7:30 pm, keynote speaker Dr. Brian Day will present “Lunar Landing Sites: Past and Future,” followed by a reception, then star gazing from CSM’s rooftop observatory with live music.
Keynote Lecture
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the CSM Theatre Building 3
- 7:00 pm Doors Open
- 7:30 pm Lecture
- 8:30-9:00 pm Reception in the Theatre Lobby
9:15 pm to 11:00 pm at the CSM Science Building 36, Rooftop Observatory
- 9:15-11:00 pm Astronomical Oberservation on CSM's Rooftop Observatory
Lunar Landing Sites: Past and Future
The Active Moon
When our astronauts make their return to the lunar surface, they will begin a new
stage in lunar exploration. They will work to establish a long-term, sustained human
presence on the Moon. Understanding the lunar environment in which they will find
themselves will be a key factor to living and working on the Moon. For a long time,
we assumed that the Moon is basically geologically dead. But we are now learning that
this is not the case! Geologic (especially seismic) considerations will be important
as we plan and build our Moon bases. In this talk, we will take a fresh look at the
Moon examining signs of its history of tectonic and volcanic history, and noting the
indications that these are not necessarily strictly limited to the Moon’s distant
past. To quote Monty Python, “I’m not dead yet!”
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Lee has led over 30 expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica to study Mars by comparison with the Earth. He wintered over for 402 days at Dumont d’Urville Station in Antarctica, and led the Northwest Passage Drive Expedition – a record-setting vehicular traverse across the Arctic along the fabled Northwest Passage. The epic journey is now the subject of the award-winning motion picture documentary film, Passage To Mars.
Dr. Lee is currently a member of the US National Academies’ steering committee on “A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars.” He is a recipient of the United States Antarctica Service Medal, the National Space Society Space Pioneer Award for Science and Engineering, the Space Frontier Foundation’s Vision to Reality Award, and the Sagan Prize for the Popularization of Science.
In his free time, Pascal likes to be walked by his dog Apollo, fly, and paint. He is an FAA-certified helicopter commercial pilot and flight instructor. His oil paintings on Mars exploration and spacetime travel are in collections worldwide.
Science Workshops
All science workshops are open from 1 pm to 5 pm and walk-in (anytime), unless otherwise indicated.
| Presenter(s) | Workshop | Activities | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Wong | Phabulous Physics | Sparks fly as we discover phenomena of electricity, magnetism, light, and motion. | 36-114 |
| Katryn Wiese | Earth Rocks! Let's explore it. | Explore a variety of maps, rocks, minerals, and fossils and discover what they tell us about Earth's past, present, and future | 36-119 |
| Theresa Martin and Javier Silva | Interactive Anatomy Museum | Come and explore the amazing world of human anatomy and physiology through hands-on activities and by observing displays with models and real human organs. Immerse yourself in our one-of-a-kind museum that focuses on human anatomy. Enjoy interactive displays showcasing detailed models and real human organs. | 36-217 |
| Catherine Ciesla & Kevin Sibucao | Color Awesome | Color Awesome is a workshop showing you fun experiments you can do with everyday household items. You'll be able to experience making your own slime, see the magic in milk, make cool colorful patterns with chromatography, and see the rainbow effect with acids and bases. | 36-223 |
| Kathy Diamond, Shradha Lad, Huy Tran | Biology Hands-On Museum | The Biology Hands-On Museum is a fun interactive exhibit in which you can build and take home a virus model, learn about native plants, see some interesting animals, and discover the hidden world of cells and guess what you see! We hope you can join us for an afternoon of exploration! | 36-200 |
| Fire Science, Christy Baird | A Day in the Life of a Firefighter | Who doesn't love firefighters? Come see the College of San Mateo Fire Technology students in action as they demonstrate their skills! Learn some fire safety tips and what being a firefighter on a call is like. You can even join the CSM firefighter cadets to squirt some water. 3 to 4 p.m. | Plaza of the Sun |
| SMCAS, Loki Ingalls |
Comet Chef | The Comet Chef will make a miniature of a comet's nucleus using common household materials. The demonstration will take about 5-10 minutes and is designed to fit in-between Planetarium Shows. | Planetarium Patio |
| SMCAS, Loki Ingalls |
Making craters | Use flour and coco to simulate the formation of craters like on the Moon | |
| SMCAS, Loki Ingalls |
Solar System Model | The Solar System Model will comprise a scale model of the inner Solar System. It will demonstrate the vast distances between and the tiny size of planets relative to a one-meter Sun. | 36, Bridge Toward library |
| SMCAS Cannan Greenberg | The Sun | Telescopic observation of the Sun | 36 Bridge |
|
SMCAS, Ed Ching |
Know your Stars* | Construct your own planisphere | 36-112 |
| SMCAS Marion Weiler |
How Telescopes Work | How do telescopes gather and manipulate light to bring distant and dim astronomical objects such as the moon, planets, and galaxies into clear focus for our viewing? Interactive demonstration and learning about how telescopes work. | 36, 1st floor lobby |
| KIPAC Xinnan Du |
Build Your Own Pulsar | Build and take home a pulsar model made of LED lights and play-doh! Join us and learn how these compact objects form in the Universe and why they are interesting to study. | 36-109 |
- San Mateo County Astronomical Society (SMCAS)
- Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics & Cosmology (KIPAC)
Planetarium Shows
The planetarium shows run 1 pm to 5 pm on the hour. Obtain tickets at the planetarium entrance.
Makerspace Workshops
All Makerspace workshops are open from 1 pm to 5 pm and walk-in (anytime) in Bldg. 36, Rm. 125.
| Presenter(s) | Workshop | Activities | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jay Harvey | 3D Printing | Check out our 3D printers in action! They're fascinating & can produce practical things like tools & fun things like your favorite characters. | Library Makerspace |
| Jason Yap | Fun with Lasers | Everyone likes lasers! Our machines cut custom images & shapes into wood or acrylic. (Starts at 2:00 pm) | Library Makerspace |
| Tun Thiri May | Face Painting | Join us for some colorific face painting fun in the Makerspace. | Library Makerspace |
| Huda Shuhaiber & Theresa Vigilia | Light-Up Mini Planets | Paint your own perfect planet any way you like, install a small light & let it shine! | Library Classroom 9‑207 |
| Alexis Rose | Vintage Typewriters | Try our vintage typewriters to write a note, poem, or maybe the great American novel! | Library Main FL |
| Kate Cin | Make Your Own Buttons | Want to spice up an outfit, backpack, or bag? It's quick & easy to make a custom button! | Library Main FL |
| CSM Library & Makerspace Team | Fun Stations: Jumbo Jenga, Coloring, & Legos |
Maybe your brain has worked enough this week & you just want to have fun? If so, come check out our fun stations! | Library Main FL |
CSM Library & Makerspace Team: Valeria Estrada, Carlos Bugarin Camacho, Alejandro Hernandez, Tun Thiri May, and Student Volunteers
- Sponsored by the San Mateo County Astronomical Society (SMCAS) and CSM’s Math, Engineering, Science Achievement Program (MESA)
- Supported by CSM's Title V Grant for Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions
Family Science Day Photo Gallery
August 12, 2026
August 17, 2026
September 7, 2026