CLEVELAND, OH—September 23, 2026—The Cleveland Museum of Natural History will welcome two prominent voices in science this fall for evening programs exploring scientific discovery, communication, and the ways science shapes how we understand the world.
Renowned physicist and gravitational-wave detection expert Gabriela González will visit the Museum on Tuesday, October 6 at 7pm as part of its Conversations with Women in STEAM series. Science communicator, YouTuber, and novelist Hank Green will follow on Thursday, November 19 at 7pm for The Science of Optimism with Hank Green, part of the Linda and Les Vinney Know Your World Lecture Series.
Tuesday, October 6 | Conversations with Women in STEAM: Gabriela González
Originally from Argentina, González is a professor of physics and astronomy at Louisiana State University and a founding member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration. The group achieved a landmark scientific breakthrough when their Advanced LIGO detectors recorded the first direct detection of gravitational waves produced by the merger of two black holes, confirming a prediction made by Albert Einstein in his theory of general relativity.
In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, González will join Museum astronomer Monica Marshall for a moderated discussion about the discovery of gravitational waves, González’s career in astrophysics, and her efforts to encourage more women to enter the field.
Limited tickets remain for this lecture!
Museum doors open at 6:30pm; the discussion will begin at 7pm. Beverages and grab-and-go items will be available for purchase in Origins Café until 7:30pm.
Thursday, November 19 | The Science of Optimism with Hank Green
On November 19, the Museum will welcome Hank Green, one of the internet’s most recognizable science communicators. Green has built a combined social media following of more than 20 million people through educational content spanning subjects from microbes to supernovae. He is also a bestselling science-fiction novelist and co-founder and CEO of Complexly, which produces educational YouTube channels including SciShow and Crash Course.
During a moderated Q&A, Green will discuss his career, his influence as a science communicator, and how important it is to remain optimistic in a world where distrust in science is becoming more normal. The program is part of the Linda and Les Vinney Know Your World Lecture Series.
Tickets for The Science of Optimism with Hank Green go on sale Wednesday, October 14. Early registration for Museum members will open at 9am, with tickets available to the general public beginning at noon. Tickets are limited to four per order.
About the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History illuminates the world around us and inspires visitors to engage with the natural forces that shape their lives. Since its founding in 1920, the Museum has pioneered scientific research to advance knowledge across diverse fields of study and used its outstanding collections, which encompass millions of artifacts and specimens, to deepen the public’s understanding of the dynamic connections between humans and nature. Through its Natural Areas Program, the Museum stewards more than 12,500 acres of protected ecosystems across northern Ohio. A community gathering place, educational center, and research institution, the Museum is a vital resource that serves Cleveland and the nation. For more information, visit CMNH.org.
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