Have you ever been curious to learn more about the globally prestigious award established by Alfred Nobel? Most people know of the Nobel Prize, but there are many compelling science stories to discover.

This First Friday, join us at the Science History Institute to celebrate Nobel Prize Week, which takes place October 5–12, when the winners of the most coveted science awards will be announced. Learn about past winners through our collection of oral history interviews with Nobel laureates and books written by Nobel Prize winners.

Test Your Knowledge with Nobel Prize Trivia

Throughout the evening, guests may visit various activity tables within the gallery to answer Nobel Prize-related trivia. Chat with our museum educators to discover the history and science related to the science prizes.

Highlights Tour: What’s Behind a Nobel Prize?

At 6:15pm, join our curator of instruments and artifacts, Roger Turner, for a brief tour that reveals “What’s Behind a Nobel Prize?”

Roger’s playful tour will uncover the hidden people and the unique scientific instruments behind the work of Nobelists Bruce Merrifield and John B. Fenn. While the Nobel Prize turns a select few into celebrities, guests will leave with the understanding that scientific research is a team game.

Othmer Library Tours

Did you know? We are giving public tours of our research library every First Friday! Come by at 5:15pm to get a behind-the-scenes look upstairs at the resources and archives available to all scientifically curious minds. Registration is not required, but space is limited. Learn more here.

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: Panamanian postage stamp commemorating Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Prize, undated.

More events

women in lab
August 1, 2026
Drop-In Tours

Women in Chemistry Tour

Drop in for a tour highlighting the central role of women in shaping chemistry and the material sciences throughout history.

August 1, 2026
Drop-In Tours

From Nature to Nylons Highlights Tour

Join our museum educators as we explore the history of the materials that fashion our clothes.

vials of powder paint pigments
August 1, 2026
For Families

Stories of Science: Color and Light

Join us in our museum EVERY SATURDAY for a family-friendly program that highlights strange and surprising stories from the history of science!

    Republish

    Copy the above HTML to republish this content. We have formatted the material to follow our guidelines, which include our credit requirements. Please review our full list of guidelines for more information. By republishing this content, you agree to our republication requirements.