Sargassum—A Curse and a Blessing

2026-03-27 – 2026-10-18

Secret Service: Women in Natural Sciences

2026-09-25 – 2027-10-31

Design for, with, and in harmony with nature

2026-09-11 @ 14:00

Eco is out—or so it seems, at least in light of current global political events. But why nature is important to us and how we can engage with it aesthetically—both practically and theoretically—is what we’ll explore in a three-day summer school together with the team from the design blog Gestalt Error 409. In addition to lectures and guided tours of the city and the museum, there will be two workshop tracks that examine, from various perspectives, what nature is or could be,…

The Rights of Nature—A Living Counterpart or a Resource?

2026-09-12 @ 19:00

While natural ecosystems are being destroyed, forests cleared, and waterways polluted around the world, a quiet resistance has been taking shape since the early 2000s that has since become one of the most dynamic movements in the field of law: the granting of legal rights to nature. When glaciers, rivers, and forests can go to court to demand that their rights be upheld, it’s not just in the courtroom that things change. Granting rights to nature acknowledges its inherent worth…

Our Blood—The Body’s Primary Means of Transport and Elixir of Life

2026-09-16 @ 18:00

with Heidrun Janka Blood is a true all-rounder: It is the central transport and regulatory medium in our body. It ensures that oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and metabolic byproducts are distributed quickly, effectively, and evenly throughout the body. And, as an added bonus, it also keeps our body temperature and pH level in balance. The complex protective and defense mechanism provided by certain blood cells—the leukocytes—is both a lifesaver and a source of fascination. A closer look…

Adventure Museum: A World of Color Underwater—Discover the Coral Reef!

2026-09-19 @ 10:00

There’s quite a lot going on here: Colorful animals and plants—big, small, or camouflaged—are bustling about everywhere. Where are we? Of course, in the coral reef! We’ll dive into a colorful underwater world and discover what corals actually are and all the creatures that call the coral reef home. Together, we’ll take a close look and find out why coral reefs are so special. Participation without a parent

Expedition Museum: Life in the Colorful Underwater World

2026-09-19 @ 12:00

We’re going on a museum expedition to dive into the fascinating world of coral reefs. How do these colorful habitats form, and what animals live together here? Together, we’ll discover why coral reefs are among the most species-rich ecosystems on Earth and why it’s so important to protect them. Participation without a parent

A Small Fly, Big Research—The Fascinating World of the Fruit Fly, Drosophila melanogaster

2026-09-20 @ 14:00

with Dr. Gesa Poetzsch and Ruben Petry To most people, it’s just an annoying guest hovering over the fruit bowl. But the unassuming fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is one of the most important model organisms in modern science. What makes this tiny fly so special? How does it help us understand fundamental processes of life—from genetics to the development of complex organisms? Dive into the fascinating world of this little insect, which for over a century…

From grass paper to coffee-ground cups—renewable resources for greater sustainability?

2026-09-23 @ 13:00

At our open-concept themed stations, visitors can drop by spontaneously and delve deeper into scientific topics. Our experts are on hand to answer both general and tricky questions. From grass paper to cups made from coffee grounds—are renewable raw materials the key to greater sustainability? On September 23, 2026, the 9th Hessian Sustainability Day will take place. Under the motto “Sustainable Hesse: Together. More. Make a Difference!”, a variety of events will be held to generate new ideas together…

Thinking Outside the Box—How Our Diet Affects Biodiversity

2026-09-23 @ 18:00

With Gabriela Rabeschini: Corn from the U.S., rice from Pakistan, beans from Kenya, and soybeans or steaks from Argentina—some of our food travels halfway around the world before it ends up on our plates. Currently, a good half of the farmland that Germany uses to produce its food is located outside its borders. But what impact does growing food and animal feed locally have on the environment? The soil, biodiversity, water, and climate—they…

Special Exhibition "Edmond: The Last Days of the Dinosaurs"

2026-09-23 @ 19:00

What was the world like before a meteorite brought the Age of the Dinosaurs to an end? The exhibition “Edmond: The Last Days of the Dinosaurs” takes visitors on an amazing journey into the past. In addition to the impressively well-preserved and extremely rare mummy of the Edmontosaurus “Edmond,” original fossils from the excavation site in Wyoming (USA) help tell the story of the final chapters of the Mesozoic Era. The clock is turned back—to a world of primeval landscapes,…

At Night at the Senckenberg Museum

2026-09-25 @ 22:00

Have you always wanted to explore the museum at night? Now’s your chance! Join us for an exciting tour of our museum with one of our guides after closing time. Enjoy a guided tour with a twist! In a special atmosphere, you’ll walk through the dimly lit exhibition in mixed groups of about 15 people, guided by the light of your flashlights. Admission: 15 minutes before the event. Participants must be 16 years or older.

Special Tour for the 7th Sponsorship Day

2026-09-26 @ 12:30

Sponsorship Day at the Museum! We’re thanking our museum sponsors for their support and inviting them to an exclusive guided tour—covering Senckenberg, the sponsored exhibits, and those that are still waiting to be sponsored.

Highlights – A Glimpse into the Diversity of Our Properties

2026-09-30 @ 18:00

with Jan Wacker Over 200 years of collecting have provided our exhibition with many first-class exhibits. Among the museum’s spectacular objects, for some it’s the anaconda, for others perhaps the dinosaurs—or is it the reef or the deep-sea exhibit after all? But in addition to the classics, there are also quite a few highlights that you only notice at second glance. They may be a bit hidden, but they also have great stories to tell. Please note: Accessibility…

Vacation Tour: Six-Legged Superheroes—Insects

2026-10-05 @ 15:00

Tiny and incredibly diverse: Insects are nature’s true superheroes! This family tour takes you on a journey of discovery through the fascinating world of these six-legged crawlers. Which is the world’s largest beetle? How do ants find their way back to their nest, and what do wasps want with your lunch? What special abilities make beetles, bees, and other insects true masters of survival? Exciting exhibits and surprising facts invite children and adults alike to marvel, ask questions…

Summer Workshop: Bringing Dinosaurs to Life Through Drawing

2026-10-07 @ 11:00

In the dinosaur drawing class, we take a closer look: What can our fossils—footprints, skeletons, and skin and feather impressions—tell us about what living dinosaurs looked like? And what can’t they tell us? We’ll learn what science has already discovered about horns and claws, colors, and plumage. Do you have any ideas about what we can learn from animals living today to fill in the gaps? Armed with this information, we’ll grab our pencils and learn to draw long necks using simple shapes…

Let's Protect Biodiversity!

2026-10-07 @ 18:00

with Michael Kubi What do birds, insects, and a tropical coral reef have in common? They all showcase the beautiful and fascinating diversity of life, and you can marvel at them in our museum. But biodiversity isn’t just beautiful—it’s also important! Today we’re taking a tour through the diversity of life. It’s not just about getting to know individual species. The focus is on the question of what biodiversity actually means, how it arises, and how the different…

Wolves Return to Germany – Research on the Return of Wolves

2026-10-09 @ 14:00

with Dr. Nilanjan Chatterjee A century after disappearing from the region, wolves are once again crossing borders and restoring ancient ecological connections. This research traces Europe’s most compelling wildlife comebacks by the new colonizing population from Germany, offering fresh insights into their behavior, adaptation, and successful return. This Science Live event will be held in English with German translation. The event will take place in English with German translation.…

Blood Donation

2026-10-09 @ 14:30

The German Red Cross offers the opportunity to donate whole blood at Senckenberg twice a year. On this day, the blood drive will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Donations are only possible with an individual appointment; please register (starting a few weeks before the event) at: terminreservierung.blutspende.de/m/ffm-senckenbergx Not sure if you can donate (at this time)? Take the quiz at: www.drk-blutspende.de/spende-check/bawuehe Note: The entrance is not through the Natural History Museum, but through…

Biodiversity—We Discover the Diversity of Life

2026-10-11 @ 15:00

with Michael Kubi Today at the museum, everything revolves around the diversity of life. About two million species have been scientifically described so far, and many more remain unknown. How do different species influence one another? And what impact does the current rate of species extinction have on us and the planet? Join us on a journey through exciting, diverse habitats and learn why biodiversity isn’t just beautiful—it’s also vital to our lives. The…