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Science Café: A visual natural history of insect jumping

Date: Thu, Sep 17, 2026

Time: Thurs., 7-8pm

Venue: Daily Planet Cafe, Raleigh

Price: Free

Category: Family

Grab a bite from the Daily Planet Café and join host Chris Smith for our monthly Science Café. Gather with other curious minds at this after-hours event for an informal presentation and conversation about current science topics with guest experts. The Daily Planet Café is open 5–8pm with a full menu during the Science Café. Get ready for BugFest! Dr. Adrian Smith (NCMNS & YouTube/AntLab) will present a visual showcase of the surprising ways that bugs jump! The talk will highlight recent and ongoing research projects in the lab as well as slow-motion visual natural history from his YouTube channel Ant Lab. Dr. Adrian Smith is Head of the Insect Research Lab at NCMNS and creator of the popular YouTube channel.

Raleigh Mom Club — Raleigh, NC

Family · Raleigh

Science Café: A visual natural history of insect jumping

“Arrive by 6:30 PM to grab a table and order food before the presentation starts.”

When
This Thursday
Thu, Sep 17, 2026
Thurs., 7-8pm
Where
Daily Planet Cafe
Raleigh, NC
Ages
Check ages with the venue
Price
Free
raleighfreefamily friendly

Science Café: A visual natural history of insect jumping is an interactive evening presentation at the Daily Planet Cafe featuring slow-motion footage of bugs in action. Dr. Adrian Smith from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will share his latest research and videos showing the surprising mechanics of how insects leap. This presentation is best suited for school-aged children, teenagers, and parents who do not mind looking at close-up footage of bugs. The event is completely free to attend, and the cafe stays open until 8:00 PM with a full menu of food and drinks available for purchase. You can park for free in the green square lot on Jones Street or use the deck on Edenton Street after 5:00 PM. It is a smart Thursday night outing because it offers a relaxed, educational environment where kids can ask real scientists questions. The casual cafe setting means you can feed your kids dinner while they learn, making for an easy school-night transition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this event suitable for toddlers?
While all ages are welcome, the presentation format and scientific discussion are best suited for elementary-aged children and older who can sit through a one-hour talk.
Where should we park for the Daily Planet Cafe?
You can find free street parking nearby after 5:00 PM, or use the state government visitor parking lot located at 329 West Jones Street.
Do we need to buy tickets or register in advance?
No tickets are required for this event. It is completely free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

Last updated

FREE

This Thursday

Directions

Plan Your Visit

Schedule

Science Café: A visual natural history of insect jumping runs Thu, Sep 17, 2026, Thurs., 7-8pm.

Getting There

Daily Planet Cafe is at 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh, NC. Open in Google Maps.

More events at Daily Planet Cafe →

What to Bring

Nothing but the kids — this one's free, with no tickets to buy.

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