Roots of Discovery: Festival of Lights at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is presenting Roots of Discovery: Festival of Lights on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It takes place at Daily Planet Theater in the Nature Research Center, 121 W Jones Street, Raleigh, North Carolina. This is a free event. Experience the vibrant traditions of India and explore the connections between cultural heritage, science and the natural world. Celebrate the Festival of Lights, Diwali through the stories and knowledge that have been passed down through generations. Learn how Indian contributions to astronomy, mathematics, medicine and more shaped how people understand the world around us. Join us to discover the ideas that still spark curiosity, creativity and innovation today. What to Expect Threads of Genius: India’s Legacy in Global Science 1 to 1:30 p.m. Speaker: Dr. Manisit Das From the invention of zero to quantum physics, understanding the genetic code and space exploration, India has continually expanded humanity’s scientific horizon from antiquity to the present. Learn about landmark discoveries and the Indian origin scientists who reshaped global knowledge. Lights from Within NC Museum of Natural Sciences Explore how different animals from the depths of the oceans to the leaves of the forest create light in a process called bioluminescence. Find out how animals use light, often invisible to the human eye, to communicate and find food.

Last updated November 3, 2026