The Science Of Galileo, Copernicus And Renaissance Comes Alive This Weekend

The Science of Galileo, Copernicus and Renaissance opens at the Delaware Museum on Nature and Science

WILMINGTON, Del. — The Delaware Museum of Nature and Science is inviting families, history buffs and science lovers to step back in time for a Renaissance-inspired weekend of hands-on exploration, discovery and fun. The event runs Saturday, Sept. 13, and Sunday, Sept. 14, at the museum, 4840 Kennett Pike, Wilmington.

Visitors can expect a mix of science and history, blending the wonder of the Renaissance with modern interactivity. Activities range from launching a trebuchet to studying the stars in the inflatable planetarium, from creating Renaissance-style art to testing out a Da Vinci bridge. Guests are encouraged to dress in festive attire to add to the atmosphere.

Special highlights include “Copernicus’ Cosmos,” a 20-minute star show in the museum’s planetarium ($3/$5 add-on for members/non-members), and a Renaissance-themed Dungeons & Dragons adventure on Sunday, perfect for beginners eager to learn the popular game.

The weekend also features presentations and demonstrations by community partners. On Saturday, University of Delaware professor Victoria Muir and her research team will explore “alchemy” with chemistry experiments, while Greenbank Mills & Philips Farm will demonstrate wool processing. Both days, retired Delaware State University professor Mike Cimorosi will lead a “Galileo & Lasers” session, and members of the Society for Creative Anachronism will share demonstrations of life before the Renaissance. Robotics teams from local schools will also showcase how mechanics evolved from the Renaissance to today.

Live animal presentations, storytimes, scavenger hunts, art workshops, face painting, and local artisans selling crafts and gifts will round out the family-friendly experience. The Dixie’s Down Home Cooking Food Truck will be on site from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.

The event is free for museum members and included with admission for non-members. Pre-registration is suggested, as some activities have limited capacity.

What Is Renaissance-Inspired Science?

The European Renaissance (14th–17th centuries) was more than an artistic rebirth — it was the launchpad for modern science. Scholars rediscovered ancient texts, questioned long-held beliefs, and began relying on observation and experimentation rather than tradition alone.

This was the era of Copernicus, who placed the sun at the center of the solar system, and Leonardo da Vinci, whose anatomical sketches and engineering designs merged art with science. Advances in navigation, astronomy and the spread of ideas through the printing press fueled an age of discovery that laid the groundwork for today’s scientific method.

By recreating this spirit of curiosity through hands-on activities, the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science is reminding visitors that the Renaissance wasn’t just about new inventions — it was about a new way of thinking, one that continues to shape innovation today.

For more information or to register, visit delmns.org or call (302) 658-9111.