Asteroid Appreciation Week

Rise of the Mammals

June 23–30, 2025 at Edelman Fossil Park & Museum

Cue the cosmic celebration - it's Asteroid Appreciation Week at EFM! While International Asteroid Day officially lands on Monday, June 30, we’re launching into a week-long space-rock spectacle from Monday, June 23 through Monday, June 30th to honor the giant rock that changed Earth forever.

Why celebrate an asteroid, you ask? Because 66 million years ago, one asteroid made a seriously earth-shaking entrance - and while it caused the end for most of the dinosaurs 💀, it gave mammals like our tiny ancestors the opportunity to survive and thrive. No asteroid, no rise of the mammals… no us! So this week, we’re rocking out in appreciation of that history-altering impact with science, stories, and just the right amount of prehistoric pizzazz.

Highlights Include:

🔭 Rubin Observatory First Look Watch Party

Monday, June 23 • 11AM-12PM • Theater

Experience a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical moment - right here in our EFM theater! We're hosting a Rubin First Look Watch Party, streaming the unveiling of the first-ever images from the NSF‑DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory live from Washington, DC. ✨rocketcenter.com+9rubinobservatory.org+9noirlab.edu+9

Whether you're a star-gazer, science enthusiast, or curious mind, come together with our community as we celebrate the dawn of a new era in astronomical discovery! This event is included with museum admission and does not require registration.

🌠 Special Presentation: The Universe Within Us with Amy Barraclough, Edelman Planetarium Director

Tuesday, June 24 • 12:30pm • Theater

Join Amy Barraclough, Director of Rowan University’s Edelman Planetarium, for an inspiring presentation in our theater titled "The Universe Within Us: How Astronomy Fuels Innovation and Discovery." Discover how technologies developed for space exploration - like medical imaging, GPS, and even cancer detection—have transformed life here on Earth.

With a special focus on asteroids and the urgent importance of continued astronomical research, this talk offers timely insight, especially as proposed federal budget cuts threaten to reduce NASA funding drastically. Don’t miss this eye-opening look at how gazing into the cosmos helps us thrive right here at home. 🪐 ☄️ This event is included with museum admission and does not require registration.

🦕 EFM PM: Rock the Night

Thursday, June 26 • 5:30-9:30 pm

Join us for a special night at the Fossil Park for our first-ever after-hours event! Experience our incredible galleries, enjoy twilight quarry tours & digs, nature walks, cosmic pop-up programs, and a special screening of Armageddon on our outdoor veranda (because what's an asteroid party without a little Bruce Willis?)

This is a ticketed event - to learn more and purchase tickets, click HERE.

🧬 Fibs & Facts: "How NOT to Die During an Asteroid Strike" with Dr. Kenneth Lacovara

Friday, June 27 • 11:30 am & 1:30 pm • Theater

Think you’ve got what it takes to survive a mass extinction? Join world-renowned paleontologist Dr. Kenneth Lacovara for an exciting and mind-expanding talk in our theater all about the asteroid that ended most of the dinosaurs and launched the age of mammals (a.k.a. us).

Find out what happened the day Earth got rocked, how some creatures managed to survive, and why you should be very thankful your ancestors were small, furry, and good at burrowing. 💬 Bring your curiosity—and your weirdest questions. Seriously. Ask things like: “Could dinosaurs have survived with sunscreen and pool floaties?” or “If it happened again… what’s my best bet - space, bunker, or EFM (basically a bunker)?”

It’s smart, it’s funny, and it might just prepare you for the next big one. (Probably not. But maybe.) This event is included with museum admission and does not require registration.

🦕 Schleich Toys Giveaways

Saturday & Sunday, June 28-29 • throughout the day

Stop by during the weekend for a chance to score a prize! We’ll be giving away mammal-themed toys from Schleich - two chances each day to win. Explore the museum, join the fun, and keep your eyes peeled… these giveaways could pop up anywhere!

🦴 Rise & Roar: Breakfast & Fossil Dig with Dr. Zack

Sunday, June 29 • 8-10 am • Fossil Field Station & Quarry

Dig into the past with paleontologist, Dr. Zack Boles, during this exclusive morning fossil dig in our quarry, paired with a hot breakfast buffet at the fossil field station. Limited tickets available - get them before they go extinct. Registration is required and does not include admission to the museum.

*Breakfast Buffet Menu: Eggs, bacon, potatoes, pastries, coffee & other drinks.

This is a ticketed event - to learn more and purchase tickets, click HERE.

🧘‍♀️ Yoga with the Dinosaurs

Sunday, June 29 • 9 AM-10 AM • Veranda

Our recurring Yoga with the Dinosaurs series is a local FAVE! Stretch, roar, and flow in this prehistoric outdoor yoga session on our veranda. BYO-mat and a sense of adventure. This is a ticketed event and does not include admission to the museum.

To learn more about our yoga series and purchase tickets, click HERE.

🌟 Asteroid-inary Activities!

Every day during Asteroid Appreciation Week is an adventure waiting to happen! The Fossil Park will be buzzing with surprise encounters, cosmic curiosities, and hands-on fun for dino fans and future scientists alike. Here’s what’s in orbit:

• 🚀 Asteroid-themed activities and interactive stations around the museum

• 🎥 Osiris-Rex: To An Asteroid and Back” Screenings - Join us in the EFM Theater for this awe-inspiring documentary that follows NASA’s daring mission to chase down an asteroid, collect a sample, and return it to Earth! With stunning visuals and real space drama, this film explores how studying ancient space rocks might just unlock the secrets of our solar system—and our origins. Screening daily (except on Sunday).

• 🦖 Surprise visits from our larger-than-life prehistoric pals - don’t be surprised if a dinosaur crashes your selfie!

• 🍪Out-of-this-world treats and specials in the Quarry Grounds Café

• 🧠 Mammal moments & asteroid experts - exclusive chats exploring what survived... and why!

From crater-sized questions to out-of-this-world fun, join us as we honor the asteroid that rocked our world (literally). It’s science. It’s survival. It’s Asteroid Appreciation Week at EFM. Let’s make an impact! ☄️