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 July from PEWS, our collaborators, and community partners around Greater Cincinnati!
Sierra Club Educational Forum: Nuclear Energy, Promoted by the AI Craze
Monday, July 6, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Mt Auburn Presbyterian Church, 103 William Howard Taft Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45219.
Join Green Umbrella and the Sierra Club Miami Group for an educational forum exploring Nuclear Energy Promoted by the AI Craze. This timely presentation dives into how the rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence has created a massive surge in energy demand, leading tech giants to actively back a nuclear power resurgence to keep their server farms running. The session will cover what this new development means for the future of our electrical grid, the ongoing challenges surrounding nuclear waste safety, and how these changes directly impact the transition toward renewable energy. If you are looking to understand the real-world environmental costs of the digital age and want to learn how we can push for a sustainable energy future, this crucial discussion is for you!
Little Farmers Storytime – The Life Cycle of A Butterfly
Thursday, July 9th, 10:00 – 11:00 am. Gorman Heritage Farm, 10052 Reading Rd, Evendale, OH 45241.
Join Green Umbrella and the Civic Garden Center for Little Farmers Storytime: The Life Cycle of a Butterfly, a fun, hands-on outdoor adventure designed for preschool-aged children and their caregivers. Held in the active environment of the children’s garden, this engaging session brings science to life through a theme-focused storytime, an exploration of the garden beds, and an interactive craft that teaches little ones all about how butterflies grow. It’s the perfect way for young families to connect with nature, dig in the dirt, and foster an early love for environmental learning. If you are looking for a playful, educational morning outside with your child, this interactive storytime is for you!
Nurturing the Mind
Friday, July 10th, 1:00 PM 2:30 PM. The Civic Garden Center, 2715 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45206.
Join the Civic Garden Center and Episcopal Retirement Services for Nurturing the Mind, a free, dementia-friendly gathering designed for individuals living with dementia and their care partners. This welcoming session utilizes the therapeutic power of plants to promote health and community connection through a guided slideshow of global plant species and an interactive, hands-on horticultural activity in a beautiful garden setting. If you or a loved one are looking for a meaningful way to engage with nature in a safe, supportive environment, this nurturing event is for you!
Hummingbird Handshake
Saturday, July 11, 12:00 – 1:00 pm. Sharon Woods | Sharon Center, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, OH 45241.
Join Great Parks for Hummingbird Handshake at Sharon Woods, a fun, family-friendly event where you can get up close with nature’s most enchanting birds. Participants will learn all about these amazing creatures and create their very own handheld feeder to practice feeding hummingbirds by hand. It’s a unique, budget-friendly weekend nature experience perfect for families.
Shaker Trace Nursery Tour
Wednesday, July 15, 10:00 – 11:30 am, Saturday, July 18, 12:30 – 2:00 pm. Shaker Trace Nursery | Barn, 8667 New Haven Road, Harrison, OH 45030.
Join Great Parks for the Shaker Trace Nursery Tour at the Shaker Trace Nursery Barn for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Ohio’s largest native seed nurseries. Participants will tour the recently renovated facility and learn about the history of the site, the local wildlife, and how native plants support regional conservation efforts and healthy ecosystems. This free, all-ages tour runs on multiple dates throughout July and August.
Science Harvest
Wednesday, July 15th, 4:00-7:00pm. Northside Farmer’s Market, Hoffner Park, 4109 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati.
Science Harvest is a local science outreach initiative of the Center for Public Engagement with Science (PEWS). This program strives to share science with local communities through two-way conversations about science and hands-on science activities. Scientists bring bring hands-on activities and demonstrations to share with people of all ages to the Northside Farmer’s Market in Cincinnati monthly.
Ancestral Weaving: Batwa Story and Craft
Friday July 17th – Friday August 14th (Opening Reception: Friday, July 17th, 6:00–8:00 pm). Clifton Cultural Arts Center, 3412 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45220.
Organized by the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, PEWS, and the Action for Batwa Empowerment Group, this upcoming exhibit features Batwa-made craft objects alongside stories and images of their makers. Highlighting the beauty, ingenuity, and cultural knowledge embedded in these works, the exhibit amplifies the lived experiences of the Batwa community. Proceeds from the sale of the crafts directly support Batwa artisans and their communities. This event is free and open to all!
Mindful Birdwatching with the CHPL Bird Nerds
Saturday, July 18, 9:00 AM 11:00 AM. The Civic Garden Center, 2715 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45206.
Join the Civic Garden Center and the CHPL Bird Nerds for Mindful Birdwatching, a meditative approach to enjoying the diverse avian world right in the heart of the city. Hosted at the beautiful Hauck Botanic Garden, this session skips the traditional checklists and field guides to invite you into a quieter, calmer, and more intentional way of engaging with nature. No matter your skill level, you will learn to tune into the awe-inspiring, beautiful, and surprising details that urban birds have to teach us about mindfulness and life. If you are looking for a peaceful way to invite more beauty and focus into your routine, this introductory nature journey is for you!
Raisin’ Hellbenders on the River: Concert for Conservation
Saturday, July 25, 3:00 – 9:00 pm. Thomas More University Biology Field Station, 8309 Mary Ingles Hwy, California, KY 41007.
Join the Thomas More University Biology Field Station, located at the site of former U.S. lock and dam #35, for the third annual “Raisin’ Hellbenders on the River: Concert for Conservation” on Saturday, July 25 from 3-9pm. This bluegrass music festival in northern Kentucky provides a day of fun and fellowship on the Ohio River and includes live music, kayak rentals, laboratory tours in the former lockhouse (where you can meet hellbender salamanders and freshwater mussels!), an environmental organization showcase, food trucks, MadTree beverages, and more.
Tickets are $15 and can be found at tmuky.us/concertrsvp. The Biology Field Station is located at 8309 Mary Ingles Hwy, California, KY 41007.
Wild Inventions
Saturday, July 25, 10:00 – 11:30 am. Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve | Ellenwood Nature Barn, 3455 Poole Road, Cincinnati, OH 45251.
Join Great Parks for Wild Inventions at the Farbach-Werner Nature Preserve’s Ellenwood Nature Barn to explore the fascinating practice of biomimicry. Participants will discover how incredible wildlife features like falcon noses, whale fins, and mosquito bites have inspired human inventors throughout history. This free, all-ages program is a great opportunity to explore hidden natural details in everyday objects.
Destination Monarch
Open now through August 9th. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Dr, Cincinnati
Join us as we follow the incredible journey of one of the nature’s most iconic pollinators-the monarch butterfly! Trace their epic migration across the United States and into Mexico, where they find refuge in the Oyamel Fir Forests for the winter. Discover the science, beauty, and wonder behind this remarkable voyage. Wander through the vibrant landscapes in and around Krohn, bursting with color and inspiration.
Learn how you can make a difference-explore simple, impactful ways to protect pollinators in your own backyard and beyond. It’s a perfect opportunity to connect with nature and make a lasting impact on the environment. Let’s celebrate the pollinators that help our world bloom!
