Discover the fun of science at the Science Mill in Johnson City! Housed in an historic 1880s mill within an easy drive of San Antonio, this innovative science museum offers a fun, interactive learning experience for all ages.
With more than 50 innovative, hands-on indoor and outdoor exhibits, the Science Mill encourages interactive learning, with something that all ages will enjoy. They also offer regular special events, like Robot Mania over spring break! For two weeks (March 9-13 and March 16-20), they’ll be racing, building and coding robots at special pop-up stations all over the museum. Grab an iPad and head to the mBot obstacle course to race against other robot operators. Step behind the joystick to maneuver extreme K’Nex machines. Ready to build your own robot? Design and program a one-of-a-kind creation! Robot Mania activities will take place Monday-Friday, and the museum will also be open Saturday and Sunday. Check the Science Mill website for activity dates and times.
Half-price military discount includes a free Whataburger through April 30!
At their April 10 (Good Friday) Butterfly Bonanza, you’ll learn why butterflies – along with bees and bats – are crucial to the local ecosystem. Experience the feeling of being surrounded by hundreds of butterflies in the Science Mill’s 1,000-square-foot Aquaponics Greenhouse. Receive a butterfly to release in the outdoor Butterfly Garden (while available), and make wildflower seed bombs to plant at home to attract pollinators. They’ll also have special showings of Flight of the Butterfly 3D. 
In the Science Mill’s newest exhibit, SciDive 4D, visitors put on a VR headset and use their arms to control the full-body motion table, exploring the coral reef from the vantage point of a sea turtle. SCIDive is perfect for ages 8 to 80 (younger kids with an armspan of 48” or help from their parents can also experience it). You can make reservations online here. 
The outdoor Science and Art Park features unique experiences such as the Colossal Robotic Hand, the Giant Wave Pendulum, the Incredible Ball Machine, the Fossil Dig and more.
These are just a few of the many exhibits that combine creativity and hands-on learning through art, kinetic technology, augmented and virtual reality, computer gaming and 4D experiences. While each exhibit has a brief description in English and Spanish, visitors won’t find lengthy how-to guides or instructions. This is by design, so each visitor can create their own unique Science Mill experience each and every time they visit. Highly trained Explainers are positioned across the museum to answer questions.
A 3D movie theater features short films throughout the day, and the museum’s Science Store has the best selection of science-focused toys, books, games and gifts in the Hill Country. When museum-goers get hungry, the on-site Lady Bird Lane Café, a small farm-to-table restaurant, offers lunches using local and regional ingredients, or families are ALWAYS welcome to bring picnics to eat on many tables in the Science & Art Park.
Admission and Military Discount
General admission to the Science Mill includes all exhibits and 3D movie and is free for ages 0-2; $9.50 for ages 3-18; $11 for adults, $9 for seniors.
Thanks to the generous support of Whataburger, the Science Mill is pleased to offer half-price admission for any active or retired military service member with a valid ID and up to three family members. And through April 30, 2020, anyone who uses the military discount will also receive a coupon for a free Whataburger!
Visit sciencemill.org for more information about special events that bring science to life through fun and engaging activities and special presentations, sign up for their email list or find them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to get the latest information on upcoming events. 
