IRL Science Festival

09/30/2026

Session 2 of our Mini Junior Naturalist Program (Ages 5-8) starts next week, and there's still time to register! 📚

Wednesday Session: Meets weekly beginning Oct. 7
🔗https://bws.givecloud.co/product/0945985/wednesday-mini-junior-naturalist

Friday Session: Meets weekly beginning Oct. 9
🔗https://bws.givecloud.co/product/F88F78E/friday-mini-junior-naturalist

Our Junior Naturalist program is the perfect place for kids to explore, experiment, and engage with the natural world. Students will dive into conservation, ecology, and Florida wildlife -- all while building confidence, real-world skills, and a lifelong connection to nature💚

For more information, visit our website: https://www.buschwildlife.org/naturalists

09/29/2026

Ever wonder what goes into monitoring and tagging sea turtles along Hutchinson Island? Inwater Research Group works with the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners to monitor nesting sea turtles and collect valuable data that helps researchers better understand and protect these incredible animals.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the process here https://youtu.be/E5DgU9qFrfU?si=VNSyKEbGGGEENkoC

09/29/2026

Don't forget to vote on your favorite design

What's your favorite t-shirt design for the 2026 IRL Science Festival?

Like for Established 2014
Love for "NASA" logo
Care for 1980's style
HaHa for 1970's Science Magic that works

Let us know

09/27/2026

What's your favorite t-shirt design for the 2026 IRL Science Festival?

Like for Established 2014
Love for "NASA" logo
Care for 1980's style
HaHa for 1970's Science Magic that works

Let us know

09/25/2026

The Indian River Lagoon Science Festival returns for its 11th year Saturday, Oct 24, from 10 am to 3 pm, offering a free day of hands-on discovery and family fun at a new location.

This year’s festival will be held at Museum Pointe Park, 414 Seaway Drive, between the St. Lucie County Aquarium and Regional History Center. Construction at the festival’s previous location prompted the move.

Families can explore science, technology, engineering, art and math through dozens of hands-on activities. The festival also will feature food trucks, free parking at Causeway Cove Marina with walking access to the event, and free admission to the St. Lucie County Aquarium and Regional History Center throughout the day.

The festival is made possible through funding from the Smithsonian Marine Station and Bill and Clare Bohnett, with support from Dyer Subaru, Remnant Construction, St. Lucie County, Causeway Cove Marina, Treasure and Space Coast Radio and the Treasure Coast Almanac.

To learn more about the IRL Science Festival visit irlsciencefest.org

09/25/2026

Happening this weekend! Celebrate this incredible ecosystem during National Estuaries Day on Sat, Sep 26, at the St. Lucie County Aquarium, featuring the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit.

Join us for a day of special programming designed to celebrate, explore and learn more about the unique habitat right in our backyard. All programs are included with regular Aquarium admission.

The Aquarium will be open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Learn more by visiting https://ow.ly/VeyH50ZM7kA

09/25/2026

Are your students eager to learn science hands-on, but you don't want to have two dozen specimens taking up your freezer? 🐸 Now's your chance to skip the hassle and join our dissection lab programs!

Each month, we host a different dissection to bring students into the wonderful world of anatomy. Our specimens for 2026-27 include squid, sea stars, owl pellets, worms, and more. Labs are in-person and approximately $27 per student, with all materials and instruction by our scientists included.

Advanced registration is required, and students must be mature enough to handle sharp tools. Students under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult, but queasy parents can notify us to work out arrangements.

Look at our monthly schedule and register for programs here: https://www.stellamarisenvironmentalresearch.org/homeschool-dissection-labs.html

09/25/2026

09/25/2026

🌊Happy National Estuaries Week! 🌊

Join us tomorrow, September 26 to celebrate the Indian River Lagoon. Take a deeper dive with our model ecosystem exhibits, participate in a beach clean-up, discover the microscopic world of plankton, or get your feet wet as we head into the seagrass beds with seine nets! We have a day packed full of special activities to help us all appreciate the estuary right in our own backyard!

🌴9:00am - Beach Clean-up at South Causeway Beach (meet on Aquarium porch)
🐠10:30am - Feeding Frenzy Aquarium Feeding Tour
🔬11:30am - Plankton Discovery: Collect a water sample from the lagoon and use a microscope to see the tiny but might animals within
🦀12:30pm - Family Seining Fun: Prepare to get wet as we head into the seagrass beds outside of the Aquarium to work in a team, pulling long nets through the grass to collect small fish and invertebrates
🦀1:30pm - Family Seining Fun: Prepare to get wet as we head into the seagrass beds outside of the Aquarium to work in a team, pulling long nets through the grass to collect small fish and invertebrates
🐠2:30pm - Snack Time Aquarium Feeding Tour
🔬3:15pm - Plankton Discovery: Collect a water sample from the lagoon and use a microscope to see the tiny but might animals within

Sea you there!

09/25/2026

UF/IFAS Extension of Indian River County, Pelican Island Audubon Society, and Indian River County Natural Resources Department are teaming up again this year for CAMP WILD ROOTS, a 3-day, adults-only nature camp designed to help you reconnect with the outdoors!

Adventures include:
🛶 Kayaking in the Indian River Lagoon
🌲 Exploring the woods and Egret Marsh
🎯 Playing classic camp-style games
🌱 Participating in local environmental projects
🔥 And of course... s'mores! 🍫🔥

Reconnect with your inner child, make new friends, and experience nature like never before. Last year's camp filled up lightning fast ⚡—don't miss your chance this year!

🎟️ Spots are limited—register today!
https://bit.ly/campwildroots26

❓Have questions before registering? Email Alexis at [email protected].