On Saturday, October 14th, Fernbank Science Center goes underground to celebrate National Earth Science Day. We will explore the subterranean world of caves in a very special, hands-on spelunking experience provided by CaveSim (www.cavesim.com). We are also pleased to present University of Georgia Professor Todd Rasmussen as he shares his experiences in world record-breaking expeditions to the deepest caverns on Earth. His 1:00 pm lecture, Hiking Underground: Caves as Windows into Planet Earth, will be presented in the planetarium free of charge.

The day will be filled with hands-on activities, exhibits, and opportunities to talk with caving experts. General admission to activities and exhibits is free.  Planetarium admission is $7 for adults/$5 for students and seniors. Please check our website (www.fernbank.edu) for full admission policies.

The full Earth Science Day schedule is below. Planetarium shows requiring paid admission are marked with an asterisk (*).  

10:00 am-4:00 pm CaveSim (www.cavesim.com) Interactive Spelunking Experience (side parking lot)

 *11:00 am-12:00 pm The Earth Today: It’s Full of Holes (live narration planetarium show)

*12:00 pm-1:00 pm Earth’s Wild Ride (full-dome planetarium show)

11:00 am-3:00 pm Caves of Water: Cave Diving Exhibit and Discussion with Cave Rescue Expert Forrest Wilson  (Exploration Center) 

11:00 am-3:00 pm Caves of Fire: Lava Caves Experience and Discussion with Lava Tube Caving Expert Scott Harris (Portable Planetarium- Curiosity Corner) 

12:00 pm-4:00 pm  Cam’s Fossil Exhibit (lower exhibit hall) 

1:00-2:00 pm Hiking Underground - Caves as Windows into Planet Earth (planetarium) Special Speaker: Todd Rasmussen, Professor of Hydrology, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia

*2:00-3:00 pm Cosmic Recipe (full-dome planetarium show)

* 3:00-4:00 pm Aurora: Lights of Wonder (full-dome planetarium show)

 Additional Hands-On Activities for All Ages in Upper Exhibit Hall