First Friday: Black Mirror

Welcome to your future. Take a deep dive into the big questions surrounding futuristic technology at our Black Mirror First Friday. Explore the fact vs fiction of artificial intelligence, robotics, and virtual reality. Test out technology from those on the leading edge. Free screenings of Black Mirror episodes at 9:00 PM in the Planetarium.#FridayGeekOut

What is First Friday?

Unless otherwise noted by the , all activities are FREE! All items marked with a require tickets. Tickets for free screenings available at any box office, starting at 6pm.

Not to Be Missed!

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Entire Campus
“Escape the Shadow Museum” Building Wide Game

You find yourself in the Shadow Museum. What choices will you make? Will you make it out or be trapped forever? Start your journey by the UMSL Technology and Learning Center table on the Lower Level.

6:30 PM, Classrooms

Mini Presentations begin. Learn about technology on the bleeding edge from experts in these 30-minute sessions

 

Ongoing Activities, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Lower Level-LL

• Stop by Dino Den to see Game Nite and try out a new game or two.

First Floor-1

• Meet game developers and tech experts that work right here in St. Louis.
• Tour our special exhibition POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION for it’s final weekend!. Last Entry at 8:00 PM. Special First Friday pricing:
  • $18.95 for Adults
  • $15.95 for Seniors
  • $13.95 for Children (5-12)
    • 4 and under free; ticket still required
  • $12.95 for Members
  • Final admission and sales to the exhibit is one hour before the First Friday ends. Tickets for First Friday will be available for purchase onsite only at the Pompeii kiosk starting at 5pm and are subject to availability.
• Learn about the human mind in “Bio-snatch,” a choose your own adventure game in the Life Science Lab.

Second Floor-2

• Try out programming and coding in the Makerspace Classroom.
• Stop by the Makerspace Garage for a 3D Printer chat at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm.
• Shop from local crafters and artists.

Planetarium

• Test out the Blue Motion Simulators, the I-360 Interactive Flight Simulators, and our Virtual Reality Transporter (cost varies by activity).
• See the night sky with Public Telescope Viewings by the St. Louis Astronomical Society, beginning at 7:00 PM on Archery Field(weather permitting).
• Discover more about space exploration with St. Louis Space Frontier, The Moon Society and other astronomical groups.
• Learn about robotics with the Webster Groves High School Statesbots Robotics Team.

Scheduled Activities

6:30pm, Energy Stage/LL
Virtual Reality Demonstrations

Try out a VR experience or take a seat and watch on the big screens. First come, first served until 7:30pm.

 

6:30pm, Life Science Lab Classroom/1
Mini Presentation: Big Questions in Big Data
Presented by UMSL Technology and Learning Center

What is Big Data? How does it affect our lives now and in the future? What happens when someone owns our online “selves”? This session will consider some of the big questions surrounding big data, using Black Mirror episodes “Be Right Back” and “The Entire History of You” as points of entry for the discussion.

 

7:00 PM, Planetarium/2
Planetarium Show: Live Sky Tonight

Free! (45 minutes)

 

7:00 PM, Loft/2
First Friday Trivia

Registration begins at 6:00 PM and limited to 15 teams of up to 6 people.

 

7:00pm, T-Rex/LL
Mini Presentation: Our Future with Robots

As robots become more advanced, the way they relate to us as humans will change dramatically. Join the discussion on the evolution of human and robot interactions as we move toward the future.

 

7:30pm, Life Science Lab Classroom/1
Mini Presentation: Big Questions in Big Data
Presented by UMSL Technology and Learning Center

What is Big Data? How does it affect our lives now and in the future? What happens when someone owns our online “selves”? This session will consider some of the big questions surrounding big data, using Black Mirror episodes “Be Right Back” and “The Entire History of You” as points of entry for the discussion.

 

7:30pm, GROW Meeting Room/1
Mini Presentation: Your Life on Blockchain
Presented by Andrew Brick, Blockchain Engineer

What do blockchain and cryptocurrencies mean for our future world? How will blockchain protocols affect the economy, healthcare, and even our democracy? Find out more and ask questions from a blockchain engineer and futurist.

 

8:00 PM, Energy Stage/LL
Virtual Reality Creation 101

Learn about the process of developing VR software (not just for games!) from local company BunnyGun.

 

8:00pm, T-Rex/LL
Mini Presentation: Our Future with Robots

As robots become more advanced, the way they relate to us as humans will change dramatically. Join the discussion on the evolution of human and robot interactions as we move toward the future.

 

8:30pm, GROW Meeting Room/1
Mini Presentation: Your Life on Blockchain
Presented by Andrew Brick, Blockchain Engineer

What do blockchain and cryptocurrencies mean for our future world? How will blockchain protocols affect the economy, healthcare, and even our democracy? Find out more and ask questions from a blockchain engineer and futurist.

 

9:00 PM, Energy Stage/LL
Geek Universe Live! Radio Show

 

9:00pm, Planetarium/2
Black Mirror Episodes:

“Nosedive” (2016, TV-MA, 63 minutes)
“Hang the DJ” (2017, TV-MA, 51 minutes)

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Attending Vendors

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Answers to Your First Friday Questions

How do I get free tickets? (for shows, presentations, activities, etc.)

• Get your tickets at any box office, starting at 6pm. Science Center Members may use the Member-Only Ticket Line, at the Membership Desk. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each person is allowed up to four tickets for your group. Once you have a ticket, you must be in the theater by show time to claim your seat. If you decide not to use your ticket, please return it to the Membership Desk in the Main Building Lobby. Tickets turned in for sold-out shows will be redistributed at the Membership Desk until 30 minutes prior to show time. After this, visitors without tickets may wait in a standby line outside of the show’s venue. We will let in those standing by to fill all seats not claimed by show time.

 

What are the costume guidelines?

• We encourage guests to wear costumes!
  We encourage guests to wear costumes! Weapons as part of costumes are subject to the approval of Saint Louis Science Center Security. No firearms or illegal weapons are allowed and if the weapon has a blade, you must have a covering for it. Masks or full-face helmets must be carried into the building.
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Interested in becoming a First Friday vendor?

Apply Now!

 

Plan to attend these upcoming First Fridays!

• December 6 – I ❤ the 90s
• January 3 – Star Wars

Price: First Fridays are free but some activities are ticketed.
Parking: Free at the Oakland and McDonnell Planetarium Lots
Location: Entire Science Center Campus
Ages: All ages are welcome. First Friday activities such as presentations, pop culture trivia, and the 10 pm OMNIMAX film are primarily designed for visitors 16 years and older.