Biodiversity Day at Powdermill

Discover the biodiversity of our region—and your own backyard. Join us for an adventurous day of guided hikes, specimen identification, field work demonstrations, and more, led by scientists and collection managers from Powdermill and Carnegie Museum of Natural History.......More

Discover the biodiversity of our region—and your own backyard. Join us for an adventurous day of guided hikes, specimen identification, field work demonstrations, and more, led by scientists and collection managers from Powdermill and Carnegie Museum of Natural History. For all ages and experience levels, from novices to seasoned naturalists. Come in for the whole event, or drop in for an hour or two. Advance registration requested but not required.

Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, United States

We Are Nature conversations: The Arts and the Anthropocene

Come meet Asia Ward, Stuart Anderson, Shaun Slifer, and Michael Pisano, four local artists whose work is featured in the 2021-2022 exhibition We Are Nature: A New Natural History. Learn how the artists collaborated with Associate Curator of Anthropocene Studies, Nicole ......More

Come meet Asia Ward, Stuart Anderson, Shaun Slifer, and Michael Pisano, four local artists whose work is featured in the 2021-2022 exhibition We Are Nature: A New Natural History. Learn how the artists collaborated with Associate Curator of Anthropocene Studies, Nicole Heller in the interpretation of Anthropocene topics, such climate change, to produce engaging exhibits and explore the role of arts and community participation in the 21st century natural history museum. Following a dialogue in Earth Theater, participants will have the opportunity to join the artists and participate with the artworks on museum floor. Please note: Event will take place in the Earth theater. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Pre-registration is preferred, but walk-up registrations at time of event are welcome as capacity allows.

Earth Theater

Phenomenal Fungi at Powdermill Nature Reserve

Join us for Phenomenal Fungi! Learn from experts about the many ecological roles of fungi, venture outside on guided mushroom walks, and enjoy hands-on activities to uncover fun fungal mysteries! This family-friendly experience is open to participants of all ages, and c......More

Join us for Phenomenal Fungi! Learn from experts about the many ecological roles of fungi, venture outside on guided mushroom walks, and enjoy hands-on activities to uncover fun fungal mysteries! This family-friendly experience is open to participants of all ages, and children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants are invited to drop in any time from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please note: harvesting or collecting mushrooms or other wildlife is not permitted on Powdermill property. Program participants and visitors are expected to adhere to the public health guidance and Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh procedures in place at the time of their visit.

Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, United States

June Nature Crawl (21+)

Looking for something fun and new to do in Pittsburgh?See the museum in a new light! Join museum staff on a 21+ self-guided crawl through select exhibitions. Enjoy drop-in style activities including chats with scientific experts, tours, animal meet and greets, and more.......More

Looking for something fun and new to do in Pittsburgh?See the museum in a new light! Join museum staff on a 21+ self-guided crawl through select exhibitions. Enjoy drop-in style activities including chats with scientific experts, tours, animal meet and greets, and more. Join in as many activities as you like to customize your own Nature Crawl experience. Whether you enjoy engaging with scientists, solving scavenger hunt clues, or just being in the museum after hours, Nature Crawl has something for you. Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and light snacks will be available for purchase. Pre-registration is required. Nature CrawlFriday, June 10, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.21+  

At the Museum

Science Friday Presents Cephalopod Movie Night

Thursday, June 16 at 7 pm (doors and pre-show reception at 6 pm)Carnegie Library Lecture Hall of Oakland, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213(Enter through Carnegie Museum of Natural History.) Cephalopod Week is back, with another eight days to cephalo-brate our m......More

Thursday, June 16 at 7 pm (doors and pre-show reception at 6 pm)Carnegie Library Lecture Hall of Oakland, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213(Enter through Carnegie Museum of Natural History.) Cephalopod Week is back, with another eight days to cephalo-brate our many-armed friends! Science Friday, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and 90.5 WESA are joining forces to present an evening in observance of the octopus, a commemoration of cuttlefish, a saturnalia for squid—it’s Cephalopod Movie Night! Attendees will view short science documentaries, hear from cephalopod researchers and other experts, and have a chance to ask our special guests their deep sea questions. Arrive at 6:00pm for a pre-show reception, including small bites and drinks and a chance to rub elbows with other cephalo-enthusiasts. Our special guests include Matthew A. Birk, biology professor at Saint Francis University studying the relationship between cephalopods and the oxygen in their environment, Nicole Gioia, senior biologist, fish and invertebrates at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium who helps care for octopuses and other undersea creatures, and Tim Pearce, curator of the mollusks collection at Carnegie Museum of Natural History, who will show us how gastropods and cephalopods might be more similar than we think (plus, if we ask nicely, he’ll tell us a few snail jokes!). This event is presented in partnership with our friends at Science Friday and 90.5 WESA.FM. Presented locally by Chatham University. For your safety and the safety of those around you, all those attending this performance must show proof of a Covid-19 vaccination (final vaccine must be dated at least 14 days prior to the performance) at their time of entry with a government-issued ID (for guests aged 18 and older), and a valid ticket. Proof of vaccination can be shown via the physical card, a photo of your card, or digital vaccination passport apps. In addition, all those in attendance must wear a face mask that covers both nose and mouth. Please see our Visitor Conduct Policy for more information.

At the Museum

Science and Nature Lecture

Join us as we explore seasonal natural history phenomena of Powdermill Nature Reserve! A lecture will be given in the Parker Room at 2 pm, followed by a short outdoor exploration. A lecture will be given in the Parker Room at 2 pm, followed by a short outdoor exploratio......More

Join us as we explore seasonal natural history phenomena of Powdermill Nature Reserve! A lecture will be given in the Parker Room at 2 pm, followed by a short outdoor exploration. A lecture will be given in the Parker Room at 2 pm, followed by a short outdoor exploration. Lectures are structured for adult audiences, and children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required as space is limited, and masks are required inside the Nature Center.

Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, United States

Nature's Amazing Machines: Member Exclusive Family Night

Discover and investigate the marvels of nature and the machines it’s built at the Members’ Exclusive Family Night for Nature’s Amazing Machines! Register for this members-only party and take part in fun activities such as March Mammal Madness, light refreshments, cash b......More

Discover and investigate the marvels of nature and the machines it’s built at the Members’ Exclusive Family Night for Nature’s Amazing Machines! Register for this members-only party and take part in fun activities such as March Mammal Madness, light refreshments, cash bar, giveaways, and of course, time in the exhibition. Imagine your jaws could crush over 8,000 pounds in one bite, your ears could act as air conditioners, and your punch could break through aquarium glass. Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s new exhibition, Nature’s Amazing Machines, explores these great evolutionary innovations. Nature’s Amazing Machines was developed by The Field Museum, Chicago, in partnership with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, with generous support provided by The Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust and ITW Foundation. Register for the EventThe museum will be open to members for this event from 6 p.m.- 9 p.m. Register for the event below by choosing the time you would like to tour the new exhibition. 6 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8 p.m.

At the Museum

Science and Nature Lecture

Join us as we explore seasonal natural history phenomena of Powdermill Nature Reserve! A lecture will be given in the Parker Room at 2 pm, followed by a short outdoor exploration. A lecture will be given in the Parker Room at 2 pm, followed by a short outdoor exploratio......More

Join us as we explore seasonal natural history phenomena of Powdermill Nature Reserve! A lecture will be given in the Parker Room at 2 pm, followed by a short outdoor exploration. A lecture will be given in the Parker Room at 2 pm, followed by a short outdoor exploration. Lectures are structured for adult audiences, and children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required as space is limited, and masks are required inside the Nature Center.

Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, United States

Sensory Friendly Hours

Explore the museum in a sensory friendly environment. Tours and quiet zones will be available for all guests. Saturday, July 23, 20228:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. SponsorsSponsors

At the Museum

Super Science Saturday: Jurassic Day

Dinosaurs make good movie characters, and so do paleontologists! Find out what’s fake in some prehistoric film scenes and see where the real science shines through. Hear about the most recent discoveries in this fascinating field and ask museum staff your most pressing ......More

Dinosaurs make good movie characters, and so do paleontologists! Find out what’s fake in some prehistoric film scenes and see where the real science shines through. Hear about the most recent discoveries in this fascinating field and ask museum staff your most pressing questions about the flora and fauna that inhabited one of the most influential—and popular—geological periods in our Earth’s history. Things to do at Jurassic Day are designed for kids ages 7–12 and families. Sponsors Super Science Saturdays are sponsored by PA Cyber, TribLIVE, and Tender Care Learning Centers, a proud partner of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.

At the Museum