Friday Night Science
Because you’re old enough to sign your own permission slip.
Friday Night Science is a quarterly, adults-only workshop series at WaterWorks where you can get hands-on with real science. No textbooks, no tests— just weird, wonderful, wild discovery.
Each session dives into a new topic— perfect for young professionals, science lovers, and anyone who’s ever said, “Why didn’t we do this in school?”
Upcoming Workshops
June 2026
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Nocturnal Insects:
Bug Light Disctrict
At Bug Light District, participants will explore the world of nocturnal insects and discover the species that become active after dark.
The program will begin with a short introduction to insects that are active at night, including common groups found in wetland ecosystems and the roles they play in food webs and biodiversity. Participants will gain a better understanding of how these insects interact with their environment and why so much activity happens after sunset.
After the introduction, the class will move outside to the WaterWorks wetlands, where blacklights will be used to attract insects. As insects arrive, participants will observe them up close, compare different species, and learn to recognize key characteristics of groups such as moths, beetles, flies, and aquatic insects emerging from the water.
This program is designed to be hands-on and exploratory, with participants engaging directly with insects in their natural environment and applying what they’ve learned in real time.
Archive
Take a look at our past Friday Night Science classes!
Participants learned about prescribed fire and participated in a wetland burn using drip torches and other forestry tools.
Participants learned how to relax, pin, and spread butterfly specimens using techniques similar to those used in museum collections, leaving with a beautifully prepared specimen.
This workshop explored the growing issue of microplastic pollution. Participants learned how scientists filter and examine water samples for microplastics and were encouraged to bring in their own water samples to test and analyze during the workshop.
A seasonal version of our insect pinning workshop featuring bat wing cicadas and sawtooth beetles. Participants practiced pinning specimens while celebrating Halloween with a costume contest and “bug snacks,” including edible crickets, cookies made with cricket flour, and gummy worms.
Participants explored the incredible diversity of beetles and learned basic specimen preparation techniques. The workshop introduced participants to beetle anatomy and the role beetles play in ecosystems while giving them a chance to examine and work with real specimens.