Holiday Lecture for Families Series
Since December 2002, SEAS has held holiday science lectures for families. Modeled on a famous set of presentations first given to children a century ago as part of the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures in London, the lectures highlight science in an engaging and fun forum geared for children aged 7 and up.
This event, which is free and open to the public, brings science to the community through experiments, audience participation, and highlights from current research.
Holiday Lecture 2024
SCIENCE BY CANDLELIGHT
What burns to sustain a candle flame?
What is the chemical reaction that occurs when you light a candle?
What is the shape of a candle flame & why is it shaped that way?
Join us on a scientific adventure at the 2024 Holiday Science Lecture for Families as we take a close look at the candle and learn about the scientific ideas it inspires. We will use experiments, interactive demonstrations, and family activities to show how exciting, visually beautiful and scientifically informative a candle can be when examined closely!
Sunday, December 8, 2024
10am & 1pm
Harvard University Science Center
Lecture Hall B
1 Oxford Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Click here for more information and registration details
Click on the dates below to see our archive of past lectures.
What is symmetry? How are crystals formed? Where can we see patterns in our daily lives?
Beauty and wonder surround us every day. Our world is full of amazing patterns: from the smallest scale of molecules arranging into crystal structures such as snowflakes, to the stripes on a tiger, to large geological wonders like Devils Postpile. Join us at the 2023 Holiday Science Lecture for Families as we take a close look at some of the amazing patterns observed in nature and the science of their structure and formation. We will use experiments and interactive demonstrations to illustrate ideas of shape, symmetry, packing, and pattern formation!
Sunday, December 10, 2023
10am & 1pm
Harvard University Science Center
Lecture Hall B
1 Oxford Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Click here for more information and registration details!
ENGINE EARTH: THE SCIENCE OF OUR CLIMATE SYSTEM
How is Earth like a greenhouse? How do scientists use measurements and models to understand Earth’s climate? How does human activity contribute to the warming of our planet?
Join us at the 2022 Holiday Science Lecture for families as we explore the science behind the climate of our home, planet Earth. We will use experiments and interactive demonstrations to understand how the sun, atmosphere, oceans, land, and human activity affect the operation of “Engine Earth.” Come and be a scientist with us as we learn how measurements and models can help us understand our climate and how it is changing!
Sunday, December 4, 2022
Click here to download the flyer.
GO WITH THE FLOW: A FESTIVAL ABOUT FLUIDS
Join us for a virtual celebration of fluids! Fluids are a part of our everyday lives - you can think about the water that flows from a faucet, the syrup you pour on pancakes, the winds and rains that are part of big storms. You can think about the air that flows out of the hole in a flat tire or the hot candle wax you pour in a mold. We'll investigate some of these common fluids that are all around us, and then we will go into the lab and check out some not-so-everyday fluids that might behave strangely. The presentation is designed for children ages 7 and up and their families, but all are welcome to join and learn something new!
Saturday, December 11, 2021
A MATERIALS WONDERLAND: A CELEBRATION OF HOW MATERIALS SCIENCE MAKES OUR HOLIDAYS FUN
Join us for a virtual celebration of materials, and their importance in our lives. We will investigate the wonders of common materials, and delve into the science of some materials that make our holidays special. Get ready to learn some interesting science about materials you use every day; we will then go into the lab and check out some not-so-everyday materials. The presentation is designed for children ages 7 and up and their families, but all are welcome to join and learn something new!
Saturday, December 12, 2020
THE SCIENCE OF ICE CREAM: IT'S LEGEN-DAIRY!
What gives ice cream its creamy texture? How does adding salt to ice help in the making of ice cream? What happens when ice cream melts then re-freezes?
Join us at the 2019 Harvard Holiday Science Lecture as we observe, taste, and explore the science of ice cream. Kids, families, students, teachers and the curious are welcome! You will discover the physics, chemistry and biology of how ice cream is made, and what makes it such a yummy treat. Using live experiments and interactive demonstrations with children from the audience, we will investigate the wonders of ice cream. Come and be a scientist with us!
Saturday, December 7th, 2019
Click here to read more about the 2019 lecture.
THE SCIENCE OF PIZZA: IT'S A LITTLE CHEESY!
Why does pizza crust have holes? How does cheese form from milk? How do you break down food into the fuel your body needs? What makes pizza dough stretchy?
Join us at the 2018 Harvard Holiday Science Lecture as we observe, touch, taste, and explore some of your favorite foods. Kids, families, students, teachers and the curious are welcome! You will discover the physics, chemistry and biology of cheese and bread, look at them under a microscope, make a simple cheese (yum!), and learn about digestion (yuck!). Using live experiments and interactive demonstrations with children from the audience, we will investigate the wonders of pizza. Come and be a scientist with us!
HOLD YOUR TEMPER: CELEBRATING THE SCIENCE OF CHOCOLATE
Where does chocolate come from? Why does some chocolate melt in your mouth but not in your hand? What makes a chocolate bar smooth and creamy?
Join us at the 2017 Holiday Science Lecture as we explore the science behind the chocolate we all love. We will use experiments, taste tests, and interactive demonstrations to investigate what makes the perfect chocolate bar. Together we will understand basic chocolate science: how to get chocolate from cocoa beans; how chocolate melts and can be formed into a solid bar that stays together; and what makes chocolate taste gritty or smooth. Come and be a scientist with us as we observe, touch, and taste one of your favorite foods: chocolate!
Click here to download the flyer.
THE SCIENCE IN A BUBBLE: ILLUMINATING INTERFACES
How can some bugs walk on water? What can we learn about a soap bubble? How can we make oil and water mix?
In this interactive presentation led by Professor Howard Stone of Princeton University, we will learn about the science of surfaces and interfaces. We will examine the boundary between liquid and air or between two liquids. This “surface” is so common that we take it for granted but we will see it introduces us to many fascinating ideas in science. Children will help demonstrate the interaction of different kinds of molecules at these boundaries.
Click here to download the flyer.
A GRAIN OF SALT: ISN'T IT IONIC?
How does salt dissolve in water? What is a precipitate? Why is salt essential for health?
Table salt, or sodium chloride, is important to human history - and human health - in many ways. In this interactive presentation led by Professor Howard Stone of Princeton University, we will learn about the many properties of salt that make it so universally useful. Children will help demonstrate the chemistry of salt, from solubility to conductivity. Audience participation is a big part of this interactive show, and every child receives a free t-shirt.
DNA: A DETECTIVE STORY
What is the code of life? How does DNA work? How did scientists figure out the structure of DNA?
Your genetic code is what makes you unique! Explore the science, beauty and elegance of DNA. In this interactive presentation led by Professor Howard Stone of Princeton University, we will learn how scientists cracked the universal code and structure of DNA. Kids will help demonstrate the chemistry of DNA, and how DNA copies itself.
