The UC Center for Public Engagement with Science (PEWS) is back with its monthly feature, Cincinnati Science Roundup. Check out events and news related to science happening in September from PEWS, our collaborators, and community partners around Greater Cincinnati!
FREE Museum Admission for college students in September
Throughout September. Cincinnati Museum Center.
That’s right, fellow college kids – we’re getting studious all through September. Simply show your valid college ID at the box office any day we’re open throughout September and get *FREE Museum Admission! See how our city’s grown over the centuries in the Cincinnati History Museum, be dwarfed by dinosaurs and shuttled to space in the Museum of Natural History & Science and let your inner child out in The Children’s Museum, all in a day at Cincinnati Museum Center. Click here to plan your next visit!
Backpacking Skills Series
Wednesdays from 5:30pm-8:30pm, starting September 4th. Winton Woods | Winton Centre Auditorium.
Curious about spending a night in the wilderness, but not sure where to start? Our adventure team at Great Parks is here to help! In this comprehensive series, you’ll learn everything you need to know for a successful backpacking trip. Sessions will cover topics like trip planning, gear selection, water purification, meal planning, navigation, campsite selection and handling wildlife encounters. By the end of the series, you’ll walk away with valuable knowledge, expert tips and some new gear. Guests may purchase the full series package, which includes all five sessions and a branded beanie.
STEM Girls
Various dates in October and November. Cincinnati Museum Center. Register starting September 5th.
Discover authentic and relevant STEM experiences in these free programs aimed at children grades 3 – 8. Meet women actively working in STEM-related fields, and learn what they do through hands-on presentations and programing! In our upcoming programs, learn about medical devices and engineering, marvel at inventions as you empower your future as an innovator and unlock the secrets behind the science of streams!
Fall Native Plant Festival
Saturday, September 7th, 9am-3pm. Civic Garden Center (2715 Reading Rd. 45206).
Are you a native plant novice? Expert? Somewhere in between? Join us for the Civic Garden Center’s annual Fall Native Plant Festival, the first Saturday after Labor Day! Whether you don’t know what a native plant is or have been growing them for years, this free, multi-vendor celebration of all things native plants is for you. Our Fall Native Plant Festival includes local growers, educational sessions, live music, food and drinks, family-friendly activities and more.
Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist Course
Tuesday, September 10th, 6:00pm- 8:00pm. Preregistration required by September 6th.
Hosted by Cincinnati Nature Center in collaboration with OSU Extension in the School of Environment and Natural Resources, the mission of the Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalist program (OCVN) is to “promote awareness and citizen stewardship of Ohio’s natural resources through science-based education and community service.” Participants of this course will have 26 hours of live online class time and 16 hours live at Cincinnati Nature Center, plus readings and multiple-choice quizzes. Those who complete the course will receive certification through OSU. The program emphasizes hands-on natural resource and environmental education coupled with volunteer service. Register here!
Explore Alleys, Public Stairways, and Urban Greenspaces
Friday, September 13th, 3:00pm-4:30 pm. Meet in the courtyard of Deeper Roots Coffee (1814 Race), across from Findlay Market.
Join Green Umbrella on September 13th for our next Meet a Greenspace hike. This time we will venture on a 2-mile walk weaving through three neighborhoods—Mount Auburn, Over-the-Rhine, and CUF (Clifton Heights)—using alleys, public stairways, and local streets. Many of these walkable public corridors feature greenspace that blurs the lines between private and public land. Co-hosted by Spring in Our Steps.
Red Wolf Rampage
Sunday, September 15th, starting at 9:00am. Red Wolf Sanctuary at 3027 SR-262, Rising Sun, IN 47040
The Red Wolf Sanctuary is once again hosting it’s 5K and 10K Trail Walk/Run, across their beautiful, 452 acre facility in Rising Sun, Indiana. The event will be timed but recreational runners and walkers are welcome. All proceeds from the event will be used to support the sanctuary and its endeavors to preserve native North American wildlife through environmental education and the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife. The 5K is a beautiful course, the first couple of miles take you along the waterways, through wetlands and fields and the final mile takes you down the trail passed the large wildlife enclosures. If runners choose to take on the challenge and continue with the 10K they will at one point run up an over 240 feet in elevation in just under a mile. The 10K is not for the faint of heart. *Should we experience any flooding we may need to reroute the course. Register here!
Celebratory luncheon to honor Marilyn Wall, Enquirer Woman of the Year
Sunday, September 15th, 12:00pm. French Park Pavilion, 3012 Section Road, Cincinnati.
For over 50 years Sierra Club Miami Group has fought for clean air, clean water and protection of our natural places in southwest Ohio and beyond. From fighting to save Red River Gorge in the ‘60s to fighting to ban “forever chemicals” today, Miami Group continues its efforts on behalf of the environment and social justice. Come help us celebrate the rich history of Miami Group and the contributions of our very own Marilyn Wall, 2023 Enquirer Woman of the Year, on September 15, 2024. The celebration takes place at French Park Pavilion, 3012 Section Road, Cincinnati. Luncheon begins at noon, followed by celebratory remarks and a tree dedication.
Tickets are only $25. Please purchase your tickets at this link before September 7. For questions contact Kathy Kugler at 812-599-0234.
Celebrate our Food System Champions @Cultivate+Connect
Thursday, September 19th, 5:00-8:00 pm. The Reliquary @ Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock St, Cincinnati.
Join Green Umbrella on September 19th for an evening of connection and storytelling in celebration of our region’s food system champions — organizations and community leaders who cultivate connections and resources, educate decision-makers, eliminate food deserts, support local farmers, create community orchards, and get fresh, local food into our schools and neighborhoods. The evening will feature delicious food from a variety of local food businesses and each attendee will receive two drink tickets. Thank you to sponsors Urban Artifact and Edible Ohio Valley!
Civic Garden Center Classes
Classes throughout September in community gardens around Cincinnati.
The Civic Garden Center has a number of upcoming classes and events for all ages. This month’s free HUB garden classes include Healthy Nutrition Culinary Class (9/14 @ Pamela’s Garden), Season Extension (9/19 @ Riddle Yates Community Garden), and Healthy Nutrition Culinary Class (9/28 @ Northgate Community Garden). A class on Planting for Pollinators will be held on September 25 from 5:30-7pm (register here).
A free nature-based drop-in program for kids, Lil’ Sprouts, will be held on Mondays, September 9 and 23, 9-10:30am.
Reporting on Science in an Era of Misinformation
Thursday, September 26th, 6:00-8:00pm. Probasco Auditorium,
2839 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati.
Please join us for this timely and important free event for the public featuring a panel of scientists and journalists who will discuss how news media cover scientific topics in this era plagued with misinformation and disinformation. Our panelists will discuss: (1) how journalists cover scientific topics, including the process of selecting what science stories are covered in news outlets and how they’re reported, (2) what challenges are involved in accurately interpreting and communicating scientific/health/environmental topics to the public (from the viewpoints of scientists and journalists), and (3) how scientists and journalists can best work together to effectively and accurately communicate scientific topics to the public.
Panelists will include local scientists and health/science journalists, as well as national representatives from SciLine (a free and editorially independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit organization that connects journalists with scientists) and The Open Notebook (a nonprofit organization that provides training and educational materials for journalists who cover science). The event is sponsored by the UC Center for Public Engagement with Science (PEWS) and the Greater Cincinnati Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).
EPICC Art Gallery
Friday, September 27th – Friday, October 4th. Opening Reception: September 27th at 6pm. Cincinnati Art Academy, 1212 Jackson Street.
Explore the EPICC Art Gallery at the Cincinnati Art Academy! This unique exhibition showcases a collection of photographs taken by families, capturing how they perceive and experience STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in their daily lives. The gallery presents a compelling visual narrative of STEM’s role and impact, as seen through the eyes of those who integrate these fields into their everyday activities. Each photograph tells a story of how STEM influences and shapes everyday moments, reflecting the creativity and innovation present in our community. Join us in celebrating the intersection of art and STEM, and discover the diverse ways families experience and engage with these fields. We look forward to sharing these insightful perspectives with you.
For more information, please visit this website or contact Whitney Gaskins.
Volunteer Opportunities
Opportunities throughout September.
Join the Civic Garden Center and make a difference this month by volunteering for the following events: Treeforestation habitat restoration (9/14 @ Walnut Woods of Evanston), Installing an urban prairie (9/14 @ Mt. Auburn Pocket Park), Camp Washington Community Garden Workday (9/21), and Butterfly Garden & Native Plant Workday (9/28 @ the Civic Garden Center).
Learn How 2030 Districts Are Innovating & Evolving!
Monday, September 30th, 5:00-8:00 pm. 1819 Innovation Hub, 45206.
Green Umbrella is proud to host this year’s 2030 Districts Network Summit in Cincinnati – with building and energy leaders from across North America’s twenty-four 2030 Districts. The week will begin with a reception and networking celebration featuring a panel discussion focused on how 2030 Districts are evolving in innovative ways. Learn how the Cincinnati 2030 District is expanding to support the whole Greater Cincinnati region. Lite bites & complimentary beverages by HighGrain Brewing. Thank you to sponsors Duke Energy, IBEW Local 212, and Cincinnati Metro!
The Electrify Cincy Website is Here!
Visit: https://electrifycincy.org/
The City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability and partners are thrilled to announce the launch of the official Electrify Cincy website! As a collaborative effort that supports Cincinnatians to accelerate electrification of our homes and businesses, Electrify Cincy aims to educate residents and contractors as we work towards the Green Cincinnati Plan goal of 20,000 electrified homes by 2028. With our new site, we hope to empower Cincinnatians with the information and understanding needed to make the switch to fossil fuel-free buildings as we grow towards even more stable, comfortable, and healthy lives. Explore electrifycincy.org, share the site with others, and remember: “when it dies, electrify!”
