What's new at the EcoTarium?
You'll find the latest on EcoTarium news and events here. You can also check out our calendar or check us out on Facebook.
News Releases
EcoTarium selected for call to the International Space Station
Photo from NASA ISS website. Amateur “ham” radio to connect students with astronauts as the ISS orbits 250 miles above Earth WORCESTER, Mass., Jan. 15,…
EcoTarium Welcomed the New Year Early with a Joyful Noon Year’s Eve Countdown, Closing Out a Milestone 200th Anniversary Year
December 31, 2025, 12 Noon Worcester, MA – The EcoTarium rang in the New Year with a thousand smiles, music, and laughter as families gathered…
EcoTarium’s Frosty Festival Lights Up New Stoddard Exhibition Hall!
December 8, 2025 WORCESTER, MA – Hundreds of families and community members joined the EcoTarium’s second annual Frosty Festival on Saturday and Sunday. Frosty Festival…
EcoTarium Unveils Stoddard Exhibition Hall – New Access to Major National Science Experiences for Massachusetts
WORCESTER, Mass.—Nov. 26, 2025—For New England families seeking quality family time and fun educational experiences, the EcoTarium’s newest addition will enable the Museum to bring…
‘Legacy of the Stars’ Gala to Unveil EcoTarium’s New 6,400-square-foot Stoddard Exhibition Hall
Nov. 15 Event Celebrates 200 Years of Science, Nature Education; Emceed by Boston WBZ-TV’s Levan Reid WORCESTER, Mass.––The EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature will…
850 STUDENTS STEPPED INTO THE ROLE OF ATHLETIC TRAINERS, CARDIOLOGISTS, AND DIETICIANS IN SUMMER 2025
Worcester, MA – September 12, 2025 – GSK Science in the Summer™, a free science program for students in grades 2 through 6, returned in…
ECOTARIUM CELEBRATES 200TH ANNIVERSARY WITH HISTORIC COMMUNITY BIRTHDAY BASH
Among the many families attending EcoTarium’s 200th birthday party Saturday, July 19, 2025, was Worcester resident Andrew Tsang, who brought his two children to celebrate. …
Explore The World Inside Your Head; “BRAIN” exhibit opens Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the EcoTarium
Worcester, MA, May 24, 2025 – The EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature today announced the opening of its latest exhibit, Brain: The World Inside…
ECOTARIUM AWARDED AUTISM WELCOMING STATUS AFTER TRAINING BY AUTISM ALLIANCE
Worcester, MA, May 5, 2025 – The EcoTarium is pleased to announce it has partnered with the Autism Alliance, a program of Advocates, to become…
ECOTARIUM PARTNERS WITH WPI STUDENTS TO ENHANCE AFRICAN COMMUNITIES EXHIBIT WITH INTERACTIVE SOUND AND SIGHT TECHNOLOGY
Worcester, MA, March 12, 2025 – On Thursday, March 6, WPI students, led by Professor David Ibbett, demonstrated prototype sound and sight technology for the…
200 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ECOTARIUM HONORED BY THE WORCESTER REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Worcester, MA, March 8, 2025 – The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized the EcoTarium’s 200th Anniversary with a “Chamber Salute” at Thursday’s breakfast meeting.…
ECOTARIUM REVEALS 200TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION MURAL
Worcester, MA, February 22, 2025 – The EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature hosted a successful 200th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, February 21, revealing a…
THRILLS AND CHILLS: ECOTARIUM’S FREE COMMUNITY DAY BRINGS THE USA LUGE TEAM TO WORCESTER, WITH RECORD-BREAKING MUSEUM ATTENDANCE!
Worcester, MA, February 18, 2025 – The EcoTarium welcomed over 2,700 excited visitors on Monday, February 17, 2025, for a Free Admission Community Day, made…
CORNELIA MAKES HER PREDICTION AT THE ECOTARIUM’S GROUNDHOG DAY CELEBRATION!
Worcester, MA, February 3, 2025 – The verdict is in! At yesterday’s annual Groundhog Day celebration at the EcoTarium, Cornelia, Worcester’s very own weather-predicting groundhog,…
ECOTARIUM RECEIVES GENEROUS DONATIONS INCLUDING RARE NARWHAL TUSK
Worcester, MA, January 30, 2025 — The Worcester Natural History Society, Inc., d/b/a EcoTarium, today announced a major gift from benefactors Peter and Joan Dirlam.…
BUILD, RENOVATE, AND CREATE AT THE ECOTARIUM WITH NEW HANDS-ON TRAVELING EXHIBIT, BUILDING BUDDIES
Worcester, MA – January 28, 2025 – The EcoTarium invites young builders and curious minds to grab a helmet and put on a safety vest…
WORCESTER’S ECOTARIUM CHOSEN FOR “AMERICA CONNECTS” MURAL
Worcester, MA – December 30, 2024 – The EcoTarium today announced that the Museum was selected as one of six locations in North America to…
ECOTARIUM ELECTS TRUSTEES AND CORPORATORS AT THE 199TH ANNUAL MEETING
Worcester, MA, October 22, 2024 – At the 199th Annual Meeting of the EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature, the Board of Trustees elected a…
ECOTARIUM ANNOUNCES MAJOR EXPANSION OF FACILITY
Worcester, MA, October 11, 2024 – The EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature today announced plans for a major expansion of its facilities and the…
ECOTARIUM AWARDED NASA FUNDING FOR UPGRADES TO OBSERVATORY, PLANETARIUM, AND STEM ENGAGEMENT
Worcester, MA, October 2, 2024 — The EcoTarium announced it received an $856,000 NASA grant through FY24 Congressionally Directed Spending secured by U.S. Senator Elizabeth…
Press
EcoTarium rings in new year...at noon so the kids can go to bed - The Worcester Guardian, 12/31/2025
Frosty Festival transforms the EcoTarium, 'sock skating' and all - The Worcester Guardian, 12/8/2025
Charles the alligator and Goose the water monitor show reptiles need respect - Worcester Magazine, November 25, 2025
Railers, EcoTarium, and Hanover Insurance Group Partner to Facilitate Largest School Day Game in Franchise History - Our Sports Central, November 18, 2025
'Right here in Worcester': EcoTarium unveils Stoddard Exhibition Hall with gala - Telegram & Gazette, November 16, 2025
EcoTarium debuts Stoddard Exhibition Hall with gala celebration - The Worcester Guardian, November 14, 2025
EcoTarium to unveil new exhibition hall, as part of 200th anniversary fundraiser - Worcester Business Journal, November 11, 2025
EcoTarium Unveils “Lift Off! Space Explorers” Exhibit with NASA Support - Radio Worcester with Hank Stolz, September 15, 2025
Dinosaurs are not just for kids. Adults can study them, and scientists say they should - Worcester Magazine, August 22, 2025
EcoTarium celebrates 200 years of wonder at daylong anniversary event - Worcester Magazine, July 21, 2025
EcoTarium eyes 200th celebration of fostering a love of science, nature and learning - Worcester Magazine, July 15, 2025
Woo! Science: The Worcester area holds clues to the Earth's distant past - Worcester Magazine, June 29, 2025
EcoTarium bids final farewell to Ralph the turkey vulture - Worcester Magazine, June 23, 2025
'American Connects': EcoTarium to host national mural - The Worcester Guardian, December 30, 2024
EcoTarium breaks ground on new Stoddard Exhibition Hall - Telegram & Gazette, October 25, 2024
Worcester County Wonders: EcoTarium continues to expand ahead of 200th anniversary - Telegram & Gazette, July 7, 2024
Forbush Naturalist Award presented at EcoTarium's annual meeting - The Worcester Guardian, June 24, 2024
Chamber Exchange: Deb Shear, Chief Advancement Officer, Ecotarium - Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, Chamber Exchange, June 26, 2024
Ecotarium cuts ribbon for new ocean-themed exhibit just in time for summer - Spectrum 1 News, May 24, 2024
Soapbox 1339: Noreen Johnson Smith, MPH President & CEO, EcoTarium - WCCA TV 194, April 30, 2024
Thousands gather at Worcester’s EcoTarium for solar eclipse - Boston 25 news, April 8, 2024
EcoTarium's 'Sage' rat trio Parsley, Nutmeg and Sesame set to leave limelight - Worcester Magazine, March 18, 2024
Fun literally by the yard for vacation kids at new EcoTarium exhibit - Telegram & Gazette, February 21, 2024
EcoTarium holds ribbon cutting for Measurement Rules travel exhibit - Spectrum1 News, February 3, 2024
Early spring ahead, four-legged forecaster predicts at EcoTarium Groundhog Day ceremony - Telegram & Gazette, February 2, 2024
Cornelia the groundhog indicates it'll be an early spring - The Worcester Guardian, February 2, 2024
EcoTarium gets turtles into the 'Headstart Program' - The Worcester Guardian, January 16, 2024
EcoTarium caring for endangered turtle hatchlings - Spectrum1 News, November 2, 2023
EcoTarium hires Holy Cross director to lead museum advancement - Worcester Business Journal, October 13, 2023
New EcoTarium Program Allows Kids To Experiment With Physics - Patch, August 17, 2023
EcoTarium names Fletcher Tilton attorney as board chair - Worcester Business Journal, June 29, 2023
Singing night owls at the EcoTarium - Telegram & Gazette, March 22, 2023
EcoTarium receives pandemic recovery grant from Massachusetts Cultural Council - Spectrum News 1, March 13, 2023
Connell Sanders: Introducing Marty, The EcoTarium's mysterious manager of collections - Worcester Magazine, February 1, 2023
Worcester Mascots Will Help Open New EcoTarium Sports Exhibit - Patch, January 24, 2023
EcoTarium gets NYE started early with 'Noon Year's Eve' - Spectrum News 1, December 31, 2022
EcoTarium celebrates Wild About Winter Week - Spectrum News 1, December 26, 2022
Socks the fox remembered and missed at Worcester's EcoTarium - Worcester Magazine, December 1, 2022
Ecotarium unearths 40 year old Lions Club time capsule - Spectrum News 1, November 27, 2022
Chamber Exchange: Ecotarium - Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, Chamber Exchange, November 15, 2022
Worcester-Area High Schoolers Invited To EcoTarium Naturalist Program - Patch, November 1, 2022
At First EcoTarium Oktoberfest, You Can Learn As You Drink - Patch, October 18, 2022
The loon, porcupine fish or ... ? Worcester residents get to choose new EcoTarium display - Telegram & Gazette, September 14, 2022
This Open Air Train Ride In Massachusetts Is A Scenic Adventure For The Whole Family - Only In Your State, August 10, 2022
5 Things You Need To Know Today In Worcester - This Week in Worcester, July 28, 2022
Preschool graduates treated to trip to Ecotarium, Post Office Pub - The Grafton News, July 25, 2022
Trip On A Tankful: The Ecotarium in Worcester offers an out-of-this-world experience - Spectrum News 1, July 15, 2022
A Golden Eagle Has Landed In Worcester — And You Can Help Name Her - Patch, July 1, 2022
Ecotarium Celebrates International Mud Day - Spectrum News 1, June 25, 2022
Chamber Exchange: Ecotarium CEO Noreen Johnson Smith w/ Dir. of Exhibits Katie Chappell - Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, Chamber Exchange, June 18, 2022
Afghan Refugees in Worcester to Learn About Educational Opportunities - Spectrum News 1, June 3, 2022
Walk on the Wild Side: Behind the scenes at the EcoTarium as it pursues AZA - Worcester Magazine, April 11, 2022
MassRealty Interview with Kerry Castorano, VP of Institutional Advancement & Education at Ecotarium - May, 12, 2021
Ana Bottary Visits Worcester's Ecotarium On This Week's Trip On A Tankful - Spectrum News 1, August 3, 2020
As Smaller Mass. Museums Begin Reopening, One in Worcester Makes Big Changes - NBC 10 Boston, May 26, 2020
Arts, culture communities weigh post-COVID world options - Telegram & Gazette, May 24, 2020
Evolution of a science museum in a global pandemic - Worcester Business Journal, May 22, 2020
EcoTarium to Donate Family Memberships to Essential Workers - This Week In Worcester, May 20, 2020
Cultural institutions are responding to pandemic closures by going online - Worcester Business Journal, May 11, 2020
Business Matters: Leaders step up amid COVID-19 - Telegram & Gazette, May 10, 2020
Retired Hanover CEO Eppinger pledges match for EcoTarium fundraising drive - MSN, April 12, 2020
Retired Hanover CEO Eppinger pledges match for EcoTarium fundraising drive - Telegram & Gazette, April 11, 2020
Local Museums & Zoos offer STEM activities and videos for families! - Worcester Central Kids Calendar, April 2, 2020
EcoTarium bands together with other nonprofits after major losses due to COVID-19 impact - Telegram & Gazette, March 29, 2020
Massachusetts Cultural Organizations Struggle In The Midst Of The Pandemic - WBUR, March 27, 2020
Coronavirus: Worcester organizations band together and offer support during COVID-19 pandemic - Mass Live, March 20, 2020
EcoTarium Sets Attendance Record with More than 178,000 Visitors - Spectrum News 1, February 19, 2020
Acting locally: EcoTarium examines personal impact of climate change - Worcester Magazine, January 14, 2020
'What big tusks you have!' - Telegram & Gazette, January 9, 2020
A brave choice: EcoTarium hosts screening of ‘Afghan Cycles’ - Worcester Magazine, January 3, 2020
Families have a blast at EcoTarium’s Noon Year’s Eve - Telegram & Gazette, December 31, 2019
EcoTarium Celebrates Mountain Lions' First Birthday with Special Cake - Spectrum News 1, December 15, 2019
Love Your Labels showcase and exhibit - Worcester Magazine, November 19, 2019
First Person: EcoTarium not pussy-footing around - Worcester Magazine, October 22, 2019
Massachusetts kicks off STEM Week - Worcester Business Journal, October 21, 2019
A Fresh Fall Forward at the EcoTarium - Discover Central Massachusetts, October 2, 2019
Purgatory—and Beyond - Harvard Magazine, September/October 2019
Last Call with Lucy Hale, EcoTarium president - Worcester Magazine, August 29, 2019
Orphaned, Sibling Mountain Lions Find Home at EcoTarium - Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, August 2019
Hot, hotter, hottest: Citizen scientists help create heat map of Worcester - Telegram & Gazette, August 22, 2019
EcoTarium Secures Reputable Caterer For Onsite Year Round Food Service - Macaroni Kid - July 17, 2019
50th Anniversary Rocket Launch - MassLive - July 19, 2019
Lunar Launch Anniversary - Worcester News Tonight - July 16, 2019
Mayo Mountain Lions Meet Their Mascots – The Landmark, July 12, 2019
Worcester on the Moon & Beyond! – This Week in Worcester, July 8, 2019
Worcester by Bike, Episode 4: ‘Gear Up’ at EcoTarium – Telegram & Gazette, May 15, 2019
Stars of New Exhibit – MassLive, May 10, 2019
Cause For Celebration – Worcester Magazine, May 10, 2019
Wild Cat Station Debut - Worcester News Tonight - May 8, 2019
Earth Day Celebration at the EcoTarium – Telegram & Gazette, April 19, 2019
Worcester Launches Year of Festivities for Goddard – WBUR, March 16, 2019
Goddard Day Special Launch – Telegram & Gazette, March 16, 2019
Fungal Tree of Life – GoLocal Worcester – September 3, 2018
High Moon – Sentinel & Enterprise, January 17, 2019
Goodbye to 2018 On Noon Years Eve – Telegram & Gazette, January 1, 2019
Connecting the Dots – WCCA, January 2, 2019