Big Machines Day returns to McWane, Feb. 11 + more events to know

Sponsored

Get your hard hats ready, Birmingham! Big Machines Day—McWane Science Center’s beloved annual event—is back on Saturday, February 11 from 10AM to 4PM and you’ll want to be there. But that’s not all the fun to be had. Read on for a full list of what’s ahead all month long. Psst! Save time—get your tickets in advance.

Big Machines Day 

McWane Science Center and Craneworks are gearing up for another Big Machines Day on Saturday, February 11. If your kids love construction equipment and fire engines, this event is a must-attend.

Builders of all ages will love this unique experience featuring machines of all shapes, sizes and purposes, like cranes, dump trucks and cement mixers. The coolest part is you’ll get to climb aboard these impressive machines to pull levers, press buttons and more!

While most of the machines can be found outside on McWane’s Plaza on 19th Street North, be sure to head inside to take part in design challenges and more science-focused activities all day long.

• What: Big Machines Day
• When: Saturday, February 11 | 10AM-4PM
• Where: 200 19th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Cost: Included in general admission to McWane
• Tickets

History Makers—Black History Month at McWane

Every Saturday and Sunday during the month, you’ll discover hands-on programs highlighting the lives and accomplishments of Black Scientists. Some include:

• Mae Jemison—American engineer, physician + former NASA astronaut 
• Neil deGrasse Tyson—American astrophysicist, author + science communicator 

Event details:

• What: History Makers—Black History Month at McWane
• When: Every weekend in February | Saturdays 10AM-5PM, Sundays Noon-5PM
• Where: 200 19th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Cost: Included in general admission to McWane
• Tickets

Explore Your World!, an Imagine Exhibit

Make plans to visit McWane’s newest must-see—Explore Your World!, an Imagine Exhibit. Open now through May, you’ll learn the many ways in which mapping and navigation play an important role in science, technology, engineering and math. 

Here are just a few reasons to check it out:

• You’ll learn about coordinates as you play a giant game of Battleship.  
• You’ll navigate the Earth using the stars.
• You’ll investigate shipwrecks. 
• You’ll pilot simulated underwater vehicle.
• You’ll use sonar to scan your friends. 

Event details:

• What: Explore Your World!, an Imagine Exhibit
• When: Now-May 2023 | Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM, Saturday 10AM-5PM, Sunday Noon-5PM
• Where: 200 19th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Cost: Included in general admission to McWane
• Tickets

Engineering Week at McWane

Grab the fam—February 22-25 is Engineering Week at McWane and it will be filled with lots to see and do. From medicine and science to chemistry and architecture, engineers are meeting the challenges of the future each and every day. During this event, McWane invites you to roll up your sleeves and show off your special engineering skills through design challenges and more.

Bonus: Take a movie break during your Engineering Week visit at McWane—Dream Big: Engineering Out World plays at the IMAX Theater each day. This special film celebrates the human ingenuity behind engineering marvels big and small. *IMAX tickets are not included in general admission to McWane.

Event details:

• What: Engineering Week at McWane
• When: Wednesday, February 22-Friday, February 24, 9AM-5PM | Saturday, February 25, 10AM-5PM 
• Where: 200 19th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Cost: Included in general admission to McWane
• Tickets

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania

What’s better than watching a movie on McWane’s big IMAX screen? Watching Paul Rudd as Ant-Man on McWane’s big IMAX screen, of course. Rudd joins Evangeline Lilly (Wasp) in this must-see adventure that takes you on an exploration of the Quantum Realm.

Event details:

• What: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
• When: Opens Friday, February 17 | 1:30PM, 4PM + 7PM
• Where: 200 19th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Cost: Varies
• Tickets

There’s always something happening at McWane! Stay in the know—visit their website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Sponsored by: