photo by: Contributed photo

In this contributed photo, kIds put together a puzzle during a visit to the Dole Institute of Politics. Families can learn about the July 20, 1969 moon landing and participate in activities from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 6, 2019, when the Dole Institute hosts “Mission to the Moon.”

This month marks the 50-year anniversary of the July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 lunar landing, when Neil Armstrong took the historic first step on the moon. Families can learn more about that time in history from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday when the Dole Institute of Politics hosts Mission to the Moon.

Activities for kids will include three space-themed arts and crafts projects and a moon leap activity that illustrates the impact of gravity. There will also be a chance to look through the archives of space-related materials, including letters from kids in the 1970s about outer space and moon missions, said Makayla Hipke, director of communications.

Also, kids can create a birthday card for the institute’s namesake. Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole will turn 96 on July 22, and kids can create a card Saturday to be sent to him on his birthday, Hipke said.

The museum gallery activities are free and open to the public at the Dole Institute, 2350 Petefish Drive.

Rooftop stargazing and pizza pie

The moon won’t hit your eye like a big pizza pie on Tuesday night, but there will be an opportunity to stargaze and eat pizza on the top of the parking garage next to the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St.

The Astronomy Associates of Lawrence will be on hand with several powerful telescopes, said Ian Stepp, information services assistant with the library. From the top of the parking garage, Stepp said the planets — especially Jupiter and Saturn — will be visible. The free, family event is from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesday.

“We should be able to see the planets as early as 9 p.m.,” Stepp said. “The event ties in with the theme for the summer reading program, ‘A Universe of Stories.'”

Though they’ll have several telescopes to look through, anyone who has a telescope they can bring along will be welcomed, Stepp said. Come early — the pizza will go quickly.

Be there and be square

It’s time for Nerd Nite’s Summer Shorts. The event for adults, with a $1 fee, combines learning something new with alcoholic beverages.

What makes Summer Shorts different from most Nerd Nites is that instead of one or two speakers talking, this event will have about 15 to 20 people sign up to share short bullet points about their profession or about something fascinating, said Jesse Rice, associate director of sales and marketing at Maceli’s Banquet Hall & Catering.

Since 2003, Nerd Nite has been held monthly in more than 100 cities around the world during which speakers give about a 20-minute light but informative presentation while the audience drinks along. There are often bands, acrobats, trivia and other shenanigans, according to nerdnite.com.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and talks begin at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 10 at Maceli’s, 1031 New Hampshire St.