First Friday: 80s Night
Get ready to travel back in time to the fabulous 1980s! Whether you rocked the Jazzercise leotard or spent hours trying to solve the Rubik’s Cube, we’ve got something for everyone.
Come dressed in your best 80s attire—think leg warmers, scrunchies, and hairspray galore. Join in on the ultimate 80s scavenger hunt through our museum, then explore the science of vinyl records and VHS tapes with our educators. In addition to having one of those world famous 3-D puzzle cubes on display, other throwbacks include a Teddy Ruxpin mechanical toy and the Sony Walkman.
This is the night to celebrate the vibrant, funky, and totally tubular decade we all know and love, and the surprising science behind it all.
About First Fridays
Spark your curiosity while exploring the exhibits after hours! First Fridays bring together a myriad of activities covering everyday science, historical oddities, and everything in between. Grab your friends, and kick off an evening of discovery, surprise, and a little nerdy fun.
First Fridays at the Institute are always free and open to the public. Attendees will receive a 10% discount to National Mechanics restaurant.
Featured image: Teddy Ruxpin Mechanical Animal, 1985.
More events
Fall 2025 Meeting of the Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry
Invited speakers will present on topics ranging from medieval medicine to modern climate science.
School Lunch Tour
This interactive drop-in tour reveals how food scientists, the government, and the public have shaped in-school nutrition.
Stories of Science: Spooky Science
Join us in our museum EVERY SATURDAY for a family-friendly program that highlights strange and surprising stories from the history of science!