First Friday: School Lunch Unboxed

Join us this first Friday for a special treat! To pair with our new exhibition, Lunchtime: The History of Science on the School Food Tray, we will be exploring the surprising history of school lunch. How do we decide what goes on the menu and how do we get it there? Have you ever thought about the history behind your favorite lunch box or trusty thermos?
Interact with our handling collections to learn about how we keep food safe and accessible to children, locally and internationally. Try your hand at making the best sandwich in our school lunch-themed card games while enjoying some snacks you may have wished you had on your lunch tray. Our library will be showcasing some of our rare books paired with a fun craft using images from our digital collections!
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: Detail of “Every Child Needs a Good School Lunch” poster, Works Progress Administration Oklahoma Art Project, 1944. Courtesy University of North Texas Digital Library.
More events
First Friday: Diving into Ocean Science
Journey into the heart of our oceans as we explore the urgent challenges of water pollution, microplastics, and the incredible creatures that call the deep-sea home.
Science & Activism Tour
From Rachel Carson to ACT UP, explore how scientists and activists have shaped discovery and created change.
Stories of Science: Earth Month
Join us in our museum EVERY SATURDAY for a family-friendly program that highlights strange and surprising stories from the history of science!