For adults and children ages 12 and up

Join our Planetarium Specialists for an evening under the stars. We will begin in the planetarium for an overview of the constellations and planets, then review the current events happening in our night sky. Weather permitting, we will head outdoors for telescope viewing through our 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.

Astronomy Club Members must sign into their account to receive discount and register your tickets online in advance to secure your seats for the program. 

Fee: $10/person

For ages 8 and up with one adult (16 and up - no adult necessary). 

In this 2 ½ hour program, you will have the unique opportunity to work alongside our wildlife staff and experience first-hand how we care for our resident animals. Behind the scenes, you will learn about native and domestic animals while providing food, clean housing and training. There will be plenty of photo opportunities and close encounters with our animals!

For children ages 3 - 5

This 2-hour program introduces children to the wonders of science and nature!  Our play-based nature and science themed curriculum includes social skill development, hands-on activities, math and literacy skill building, animal encounters, hikes, story time, crafts and planetarium visits. New curriculum offered each year. Children must be fully bathroom independent.

One day per week:  Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays

9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

or

Tuesdays or Thursdays

12:30 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.

2025-2026 Yearlong Preschool Programs / 30 week sessions: September 8, 2025 to May 8, 2026

No classes:

November 24 - 28, 2025 (Fall break)

December 15, 2025 - January 2, 2026 (Winter break)

April 6 - 10, 2026 (Spring break)

For children ages 4 – 6

This 2 ½-hour class is full of hands-on adventures in our Log Cabin classroom, planetarium and the great outdoors! We will investigate the wonders of Earth and the sky above by exploring science, literacy, math, technology, engineering, art and nature, creating the foundation for a love of learning in a fun and natural environment. New curriculum offered each year.

One day per week: Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays

9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

2025-2026 Yearlong Preschool Programs / 30 week sessions: September 8, 2025 to May 8, 2026

No classes:

November 24 - 28, 2025 (Fall break)

December 15, 2025 - January 2, 2026 (Winter break)

April 6 - 10, 2026 (Spring break)

For children ages 2 and 3 years with one adult

Hands-on activities, music, games and simple crafts are just the beginning of a new nature or science-based theme each week. Get ready for live animal encounters and come dressed for the weather as we head out on mini-explorations!

One day per week: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Fall 2025 15-week Preschool Sessions: September 8, 2025 to January 16, 2026                       

No classes:

November 24 - 28, 2025 (Fall break)

December 15, 2025 - January 2, 2026 (Winter break)

For children ages 1 and 2 years with one adult

Little ones love nature! Join us for fun and adventure in this 1-hour adult & child program which will feature a different nature theme each week. Meet an animal, create a simple craft, enjoy playtime, visits to our planetarium and experience nature indoors and out. Forest Friends is a great introduction to the Center’s preschool programs. 

One day per week: Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. or Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Fall 2025 15-week Preschool Sessions: September 8, 2025 to January 16, 2026                       

No classes:

November 24 - 28, 2025 (Fall break)

December 15, 2025 - January 2, 2026 (Winter break)

For children ages 2.5 to 3.5 with one adult

A step-up from our Frogs & Polliwogs program, this child and adult program will introduce your child to extended preschool classroom routines and content as we explore the wonders of nature & science. With a new topic each week, we will enjoy animal encounters, crafts, story time, planetarium visits and occasionally little hikes outdoors.

One day per week: Mondays

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Fall 2025 15-week Preschool Sessions: September 8, 2025 to January 16, 2026                       

No classes:

November 24 - 28, 2025 (Fall break)

December 15, 2025 - January 2, 2026 (Winter break)

For ages 7 and up

Discover all of the weird and wonderful objects that make up our universe! Explore different deep space objects each week, from black holes to pulsars, exoplanets, star clusters and more. Receive a Unique Universe Collector’s Card and collect stickers each visit. This program is approximately 30 minutes.

Cost: $5/person 

Please purchase a ticket for each person in your group. Children must be accompanied by an adult. If you cannot register the full number of your group, the program is sold out.

Check in at the Welcome Desk for program. For safety reasons, late admittance to planetarium program is not permitted.

For adults and children ages 12 and up

Join us for an evening in the planetarium under the stars! We will see the current night sky, discuss space news, and explore our part of the galaxy as seen from Earth. 

For ages 18 and up 

In this 2.5-hour program, you will have the unique opportunity to work alongside our wildlife staff and experience first-hand how we care for our resident animals. Behind the scenes, you will learn about native and domestic animals while providing food, clean housing and training. There will be plenty of photo opportunities and close encounters with our animals! 

This program is designed for 1 participant but are happy to increase to 2 participants if you would like to come with a friend. Please email info@lensc.org to submit a request and begin payment for additional participant.

General admission, at no charge, allows you and your family to enjoy live animal exhibits indoors and outdoors, and displays about natural history and space science.

Please follow all steps of the registration process and click "check out" to complete your order. You will receive a confirmation email that you will be asked to present upon arrival to the Center. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please call 440-871-2900 or email info@lensc.org 

Learn about the wonders of wildlife through up close encounters with a variety of the Center’s resident animals in this 20-minute program geared towards toddlers.

Please note: Ticket sales end 15 minutes before start time. 

For grades K -  1

Looking for some after school nature fun? Dress for the weather and join us for an hour of active outdoor exploration, hikes, games and activities while we investigate the natural world around us!

5-week session, one-hour afterschool program

Fee: $115 per child for 5-week session

Discovery STEM Camp

For students who have completed grades 1 - 5

Spend the summer exploring different topics each week! Each camp will include an outdoor hike, STEM activities, animal encounters, and hands-on discovery. Please be prepared to hike with sturdy shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, a water bottle, and a packed lunch. 

Fee per child per camp: $270

Put on your hiking shoes and discover the art of the great outdoors! Sketch your observations, listen for nature’s sounds and lean the leave no trace principles. Program includes a hike, please dress for the weather.

For adults and children ages 6 and up

See thousands of stars, planets and constellations on a tour of tonight’s sky. This program is approximately 30 minutes.

Cost: $5/person 

Please purchase a ticket for each person in your group. Children must be accompanied by an adult. If you cannot register the full number of your group, the program is sold out.

Check in at the Welcome Desk for program. For safety reasons, late admittance to planetarium program is not permitted.

Recommended for ages 0 - 3

See the moon, stars and explore the sky with lights, sounds and colors in this program designed for young children. This program is approximately 20 minutes.

Cost: $5/person

Please purchase a ticket for each person in your group. Children must be accompanied by an adult. If you cannot register the full number of your group, the program is sold out.

Check in at the Welcome Desk for program. For safety reasons, late admittance to planetarium program is not permitted.

Recommended for ages 3 - 7

Blast off and travel through space as you visit different destinations in the solar system and learn about constellations in the night sky! This program is approximately 30 minutes.

Cost: $5/person 

Please purchase a ticket for each person in your group. Children must be accompanied by an adult. If you cannot register the full number of your group, the program is sold out.

Check in at the Welcome Desk for program. For safety reasons, late admittance to planetarium program is not permitted.

Take a walk with a hawk! Meet our resident Red-tailed hawk, Sequoia, and learn about these awesome raptors. Then hike with our Wildlife Specialist through the trails to search for hawks in the wild. Come dressed for the weather and slightly rough terrain.

Ages: 8 and up with one adult (16 and up, no adult necessary)

Work alongside our wildlife staff to prepare food, treats and enrichment for our resident animals. Then offer them what you’ve made! As we focus on nutrition and diets in this behind-the-scenes, small group program, plan to have awesome and close interactions with our animals.

Learn about the Moon and take an up-close look in Schuele Planetarium. Make a pretend telescope and learn about the constellations and nighttime stars. Complete your adventure by making a day sky book to record your daytime observations at home!

Grab a clipboard and head outdoors to observe native birds. Count how many birds you see, identify objects you find, and explore the trails of Huntington Reservation. Complete the morning indoors to draw your very own adventure map. This program includes a hike, please dress for the weather.

Recommended for ages 2 - 7

Find three different animal constellations in the sky and hear their stories. Then, use your own imagination to see what you can find in the night sky! This program is approximately 20-25 minutes.

Cost: $5/person

Please purchase a ticket for each person in your group. Children must be accompanied by an adult. If you cannot register the full number of your group, the program is sold out.

Check in at the Welcome Desk for program. For safety reasons, late admittance to planetarium program is not permitted.

For children ages 1 – 6 with one adult

Explore the wild things of your backyard and beyond with your little one! Each class you will meet an animal, make a craft and get wild with nature. Topics change each date, so choose one or more dates!

Fee: $30/child for each class

For children who have completed grades 3 - 6

Learn all about rockets during this one-day rocket adventure! View footage on the planetarium dome of historic NASA rocket launches, then assemble and safely launch your own rocket. Campers must bring a water bottle and a packed lunch. Please dress for outdoor activities with sturdy shoes. Family members are encouraged to attend the rocket launch at 3:00 p.m.

August 1

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Fee: $90

For adults and children ages 12 and up

Calling all local sky enthusiasts! Join us for Astronomy Club and explore the world of astronomy in a fun, social environment. Planetarium Specialists will share what’s new in space, the latest gadgets, astro-tainment and mind-blowing facts. Astronomy Club meets at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center monthly and includes the following benefits:

• Monthly meetings
• Telescope Night programs (advance registration recommended)
• Telescope loan program

Annual Fee: $60/household. Astronomy Club Members must sign into their account to receive discount, memberships can be purchased here.

Those interested in Astronomy Club are welcome to enjoy their first meeting at no cost and returning attendee fee: $5/person.