A Glowing Good Time for Grownups is Coming Up

By Misty Cryer

Inspired By Science’s STEM After Dark event is scheduled for October 17, with tickets going on sale on September 8.

The sponsorship opportunity supports the nonprofit organization’s 2027 STEM education events for youth in the community, including the summer STEM camp and the STEM workshops held throughout the year. Sponsorship donations received by September 20 will also be considered STEM After Dark fundraiser sponsors, with certain sponsorship levels receiving free event tickets.

“We are offering a unique night out for grownups,” said Deena Antiporda, Executive Director of Inspired By Science. She said the STEM After Dark fundraising event was started last year to raise funds for the program. “It’s also a way for adults to see why kids enjoy it so much.”

This year’s event has a glow lab theme. “It is basically all of the same stuff that we do for kids, but we’re just presenting it a little differently so adults can enjoy it too,” said Antiporda.

Various STEM activities will be presented to have some fun with black lights, seeing what glows and fluoresces, she said, including writing with light, glow-in-the-dark slime, glow-in-the-dark challenges, and robotics.

The event will be held on October 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, 400-1 Cascades Ave., where

many of the family lab partner workshops are held throughout the year.

“Only adults 21 and over will be allowed in because we’ll have Milton’s Brewing Company there doing a cash bar,” said Antiporda. She added that hors d’oeuvres prepared by D&E Catering will also be served.

Tickets will be $50 each or $85 for a couple and will be limited to 100. “Those will go on sale September 8 on our website ( https://inspiredbyscience.org/),” said Antiporda.

“Everyone is encouraged to wear clothing that glows in the dark or shows up well under the black lights,” said Antiporda, mentioning bright white or neon, and glow-in-the-dark accessories like glasses or hats to make the event fun. She said they will be selling raffle tickets for baskets with various themes. Baskets to be raffled include themes such as Halloween, Christmas, Cool Gadgets, Golf, Night In, and Night on the Town.

Last year, the event was held at the museum, presented as an elegant evening supporting STEM education with cocktail attire requested. “It was quite successful; we had a lot of fun,” said Antiporda. “I have really enjoyed finding other adults that love STEM as much as I do.”

While everyone had a blast, she said some guests stood out and seemed surprised by how much fun they had. “They really enjoyed it. It’s not something that adults normally just go do,” she said.

“The deadline for sponsorships for this event is September 20,” said Antiporda. “These sponsorships not only sponsor the fundraiser but also help support our camp and workshops in 2027,” she said.

There are four levels of sponsorship—Copper, Silver, Gold, and Platinum—which provide various benefits that can be reviewed on the website: (https://inspiredbyscience.org/sponsorships/).

“Free tickets will be given to sponsors at the Silver (two tickets), Gold (four tickets), and Platinum (six tickets) levels, and they will also be able to purchase discounted tickets for their employees,” said Antiporda.