Trying to keep up with all the amazing programming coming out of the Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) in Rochester, New York, is quite challenging. A recognized leader in immersive experiences, RMSC strives to create a better world through inspiring curiosity, exploration and engagement across history, science, culture and the natural world. Today, almost 115 years since inception, RMSC operates a 4-story museum building, the Strasenburgh Planetarium adjacent to this, and the 850-acre Cumming Nature Center in Naples, New York.
After a colossal effort across multiple years to engage audiences in the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse (“ROC The Eclipse,” April 6-8, 2024; attracting visitors from around the world), RMSC continues to raise the bar and push the limits of creativity and innovation to bring its community unique, out-of-this-world STEM experiences. Here is just a glimpse of the past year (August 2025-August 2026), featuring only some of the RMSC programs focusing on space:
August 2, 2025
Intro to Astro Photography (part of RMSC’s annual two-day Perseid Fest celebrating the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower): Elliot Maddox, a Rochester astrophotographer with 18 years experience, offered guided expertise about capturing the night sky through photography.
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Storytime on the Dome in the Strasenburgh Planetarium: This first-ever event featured a live reading of Milo’s Moonlight Mission by author Kathleen Blasi. The story came to life in the sky, as participants watched pages turn above as the Leonid meteor storm streaked through the sky. Explorers of all ages experienced the magic of night sky watching, while also meeting the author and engaging with interactive space activities.
The book, Milo’s Moonlight Mission, follows Captain Milo, who is ready to launch into outer space, but his most important crew member, his Mom, is too busy with everyday life. When a rare meteor storm lights up the sky, Milo hopes she’ll join him on one unforgettable adventure.
October 17, 2025–May 6, 2026
Astronaut an exhibition: in this highly interactive exhibit, audiences get a real sense of what it’s like to live and work in space. From a rocket launch and G-force simulator to examples of how astronauts eat and sleep in a zero-gravity, Astronaut investigates the day-to-day activities alongside the unique science conducted in space. The exhibit also explores teamwork, giving participants the opportunity to work together to solve problems, perform tasks, and overcome real challenges that astronauts face.
Throughout 2026
STEM Ambassador Program: The RMSC STEM Ambassador Program continues beyond its success during the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse, building on themes of scale, distance, and measurement from the macro of the Milky Way to the micro of the atom. The goal of the Ambassador program is to impact and serve communities in the Greater Rochester region that may not be able to visit the museums. Ambassadors represent community organizations, businesses, or municipalities, and are trained in basic astronomy, night sky viewing, and math communication. Ambassadors are provided with details about upcoming NASA missions and are given equipment for community engagement such as binoculars, educational materials, tools for hosting star parties, and materials for activities.
This program is supported by the Simons Foundation and is part of its Infinite Sums initiative
February 6, 2026
Tattoos Under the Stars in the Strasenburgh Planetarium: This first-time event sold-out! Participants had the chance to get a planetarium, science, or math-themed flash tattoo while sipping Capri-Sun and other space-themed, non-alcoholic beverages.
Information about the next Tattoos Under the Stars event: https://rmsc.org/events/tattoos-and-bazaar/
April 1, 2026
Artemis II Launch Party in the Strasenburgh Planetarium: Jim Bader, Planetarium Director, hosted a live viewing of the Artemis II launch that included educational context as viewers followed along with the crew’s journey to the moon.
A recording is available here: https://www.facebook.com/rocRMSC/posts/pfbid02YB1LPkeidwSeTziNsMzWNJW6268ue1Q7UsrzKiasx2t1R2ywJDrBzxjdWL6128ksl
April 24-25, 2026
Space! with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO): This cosmic Pops program is an expansion of one from the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse concert. Jeff Tyzik and RPO took audiences on a journey through the galaxy with iconic themes and classical masterpieces from TV and film. Vocal harmonies from renowned chamber choir, Madrigalia, further developed the celestial soundscape, which was brought to life visually by Troupe Vertigo (a theatrical circus company that creates eclectic fusions of circus, dance, and theater) and visual artist Marc Webster.
May 2, 2026
Star Wars Day: This intergalactic celebration featured Jedi Training, character activities, a chance to program Ozobot Droids, a special tour of The Sky Tonight in the Strasenburgh Planetarium, and the opportunity to watch your own Jedi or Empire logo pin be created on the Glowforge 3D laser printer. Collaborators onsite adding to the excitement were the Astronomy the Astronomy Section of the Rochester Academy of Sciences (ASRAS), Flower City Comic Con (FC3), Rochester Kung Fu and Fitness, and Rochester LEGO Users Group (ROC LUG).
August 12, 2026
Partial Solar Eclipse: During RMSC’s viewing party, audiences learned from astronomy experts as they experienced the Moon blocking 9.28% of the Sun. RMSC also had long time NISE Network partner Dan Schneiderman on the ground in Iceland for the Total Solar Eclipse visible across Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and a small corner of Portugal. This was the first time a Total Solar Eclipse was visible in Iceland since 1954.
Learn about Iceland’s Eclipse lore with Dan Schneiderman: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CBH9FHuPH/
Sunday, August 30, 2026
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Launch: RMSC has a lot to celebrate with the launch of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The telescope’s primary mirror, which measures 7.9 feet (2.4 meters) across, was developed and built by L3Harris Technologies in Rochester, New York. The Museum is celebrating this and women in STEM with hands-on activities (including NISE Network Explore Science: Earth and Space activities Pack a Space Telescope, Pocket Solar System, and Exoplanet Transits) and a replay of the launch with an expert panel discussion thereafter.
Learn more about activities at the Museum and Planetarium on the RMSC’s site.
The NISE Network is honored to be a small part of this big celebration at RMSC. Keep up the great work, and we’ll try to keep up with all of it too!