Calendar
Ever wanted to meet a scientist and ask them directly about their work? At PaleoCon, you can! This one-day scientific extravaganza will feature paleontologists from across the country showing off their work.
Science Under the Stars is the Western Center Community Foundation's annual fundraiser to benefit science exhibits, research, and education through Riverside County's premiere natural history museum, the Western Science Center.
Join Western Science Center Educator, Margaret Ozolins in exploring the science of energy and motion with this fun hands-on 60 Minute Science. Build and race your own Spool Racers!
Join Western Science Center Educator Margaret Ozolins in exploring how electricity powers a motor while building your very own Jitterbug toy. Watch as your creation skitters around. What will yours look like?
Ready, set, science - our annual summer exhibit The Exploration Lab returns on June 13th! Learn about the shapes, sights, and sounds all round us with this interactive exhibit that has activities for scientists of all ages, but especially kids!
Get inspiration directly from the source during a free after-hours museum draw-in event!
You’ll have the chance to draw inspiration directly from Max the Pacific mastodon while the museum is closed to the public.
Join Western Science Center Executive Director Dr. Alton Dooley for an exploration of the iconic mastodon. Examine original fossils and replicas to learn about the differences between Pacific and American mastodons, how to figure out a mastodon's age, and more. Includes a behind-the-scenes visit of the museum's mastodon collection.
Join us for a hands-on class where young learners will explore the world of native bees and how they help flowers, fruit, and veggies grow.
Get inspiration directly from the source during a free after-hours museum draw-in event and get ready to submit your art to our upcoming exhibit Inspired Collections!
Get inspiration directly from the source during a free after-hours museum draw-in event!
You’ll have the chance to draw inspiration directly from Max the Pacific mastodon while the museum is closed to the public.
Discover the science of water and the important role it plays in our lives and the world around us, while also exploring the fun science of bubbles!
A new Broader Impacts exhibit, coming this spring!
The 11th annual Inland Empire Science Festival returns to the Western Science Center on April 18th, 2026!
Join us for a hands-on class where young learners will explore the world of native bees and how they help flowers, fruit, and veggies grow.
Have fun exploring the science of biology from insects to plants to us! Discover the science of life!
Join us in celebrating Riverside County Arts & Culture Month! On Friday, March 20th, the first 45 admissions into the museum are free!
Make your own T rex tooth! Join Western Science Center Laboratory Manager Leya Collins to learn how to make fossil replicas.
Kick off Women’s History Month with an exciting look at the scientific discoveries and advancements made by women throughout history.
Join us at the Western Science Center to explore the intersection of art and science. This small, hands-on natural dye workshop will cover the history and science of how a small insect, Dactylopius coccus, influenced textiles around the world.
Join WSC Director Dr. Alton Dooley for a 60 Minute Science personal tour of the exhibit “Life in the Slow Lane.” Learn about the vast range of snail lifestyles, what makes a snail a snail, and the snails that lived in Hemet during the Ice Age.
Come celebrate National Periodic Table Day while exploring the many elements that make it up through fun hand-on experiments and activities!
**Rain or shine!** Science Saturday: The Science of Straws will be hosted INDOORS due to possible inclement weather, and thanks to support from the City of Hemet, CA - City Government, the first 250 admissions from 10AM - 1PM are FREE!
The museum and museum office will closed for the holidays on December 24th & 25th.
Learn all about the science of ice, glaciers, and the melting process at our next Science Saturday!
Learn about how the ocean contributes to glacial melt in a new exhibit opening November 22nd!
Celebrate National Bison Day AND National Fossil Day with us at Science Saturday! Meet our team of paleontologists while enjoying hands-on activities.
Dive into the wild world of snails - from land to sea, learn all about these fascinating creatures in our new exhibit Life in the Slow Lane, opening October 25th, 2025!
Join us as we celebrate International Archaeology Day with hands-on archaeology themed activities, flint knapping demonstrations, and a museum scavenger hunt - all included in your paid admission!
Make your own T rex tooth! Join Western Science Center Laboratory Manager Leya Collins to learn how to make fossil replicas.
Kick off National Space Week while exploring the Science of Space with this, out of this world, Science Saturday + HUSD event! Discover what we can learn about the universe, from distant planets to our own galaxy!
Get your tickets today for our annual fundraiser Science Under the Stars and support the museum’s exhibits, programming, and research!
Join us for the first Science Saturday of the school year as we explore the Science of Motion. Discover how objects spin, race and fly with hands-on activities and experiments sure to be fun for the whole family.
