Sally’s Night: Celebrating Women in STEM

Sally’s Night is a nationwide celebration of women in STEM led by the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, in collaboration with 21 Smithsonian Affiliate organizations. Sally’s Night honors Sally Ride’s legacy as an astronaut, physicist, educator, and advocate for young people. In recognition of the 40th anniversary of Sally Ride becoming the first American woman in space, over 20 organizations across the United States will hold events focusing on women and underrepresented genders in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Rhode Island’s celebration will be hosted at the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium in Roger Williams Park and will feature free museum admission, as well as the chance to participate in family friendly activities, including a space-themed museum quest.

In addition, beginning at 12:00pm guests will be able to enjoy an animal encounter from Roger Williams Park Zoo, with educators and ambassador animals on site until 1:00pm. Visitors will also be able to join members of Amateur Astronomical Society of RI, who will teach guests how to use solar telescopes until 2:30pm (weather permitting).

Visitors may also register in advance for the Astronaut Fulldome Planetarium Show at 1pm & 2pm and take a thrilling trip through space and time. This planetarium show explores what it takes to become an astronaut and takes you from Earth into space and beyond! The program is followed by a brief tour of the night sky, using the planetarium’s Zeiss star projector. Tickets are available at providenceri.gov/museum

This project received Federal support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum.