Science Museum Oklahoma is putting teens in charge for its second annual SMOTeens event on Saturday, April 11, 2026, while also announcing that applications are now open for its Teen Apprentice program through March 31.

Designed exclusively by the participants in the Teen Apprentice program for other students in seventh through 12th grade, SMOTeens offers an after-hours museum experience. The event runs from 7 to 10 p.m. and welcomes guests ages 13 to 18. No parents or younger siblings are admitted, giving teens the opportunity to explore the museum independently in a supervised environment.

SMO Teens tickets are $20 for the public and $15 for Science Museum Oklahoma members.

Applications are now open for the Teen Apprentice program which is a group of high school students who work alongside museum staff to develop programming, build leadership skills, and gain hands-on experience in science communication and event planning. Applications close on March 31. Students interested in leadership development, gaining volunteer experience, and working behind the scenes at one of the nation’s largest science museums are encouraged to apply.

“If we want strong STEM careers in Oklahoma’s future, we have to engage students now,” said Sherry Marshall, John E. Kirkpatrick President and CEO of Science Museum Oklahoma. “When teens are given meaningful responsibility and hands-on experience, they begin to see themselves not just as students, but as future engineers, scientists, health professionals, and innovators. Programs like Teen Apprentice and events like SMOTeens help make that connection real.”

Tickets to SMOTeens and applications for the Teen Apprentice program can be found at smo.org/teenapprentice.