The Lawrence Hall of Science

The public science center of the University of California, Berkeley.

At The Lawrence, we make science learning fun. Just ask the millions of kids we connect with science every year. This time, the fun is for you, grown-ups! 

Join us Thursday, November 6th from 5:30pm to 8:30pm for Champagne Supernova: a party that combines science and storytelling, an evening of thrillingly brisk micro-talks to delight you and ignite curiosity.

A view of the Lawrence Hall of Science from the plaza at dusk. The front door is illuminated in purple.

Event Info

The Lawrence Hall of Science and Ignite San Francisco have teamed up to bring you Champagne Supernova:

  • The Lawrence changes lives through science learning: we make curriculum for schools nationwide, welcome young visitors to our Berkeley science center, and conduct research that changes science learning around the world. 
  • Ignite Talks delight audiences across the globe with their signature program of high-energy 5-minute talks, earning their motto: “Enlighten us, but make it quick!”

As you explore science through entertaining lightning talks, you’ll be inspired by the bright scientific future we’re building at The Lawrence. We’ll eat, drink, laugh, and raise funds for The Lawrence’s important work!

Tickets

General Admission – $150/Person

  • Strolling supper in The Lawrence’s beautiful Robert and Elizabeth Karplus Outdoor Nature Lab
  • Two complimentary drink tickets
  • General admission seating for Ignite Talks program

VIP Admission – $500/Person

  • Invitation to private wine and cheese tasting experience
  • Strolling supper in The Lawrence’s beautiful Robert and Elizabeth Karplus Outdoor Nature Lab
  • Complimentary drinks throughout the entire evening
  • Reserved premium seating for Ignite Talks program
  • Recognition as a Champagne Supernova patron
  • $350 of ticket purchase is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law
Purchase Tickets

Meet a Luminary

Purchase a VIP Ticket or any VIP Package, and you’ll be invited to our pre-party VIP experience (5:00 p.m.)!

Black holes are spectacular end products of the fatal attraction of gravity. The most hefty black holes weigh more than 10 billion suns and may even come in twins. Learn more about these cosmological wonders with Dr. Chung-Pei Ma.

Chung-Pei Ma is the Judy Chandler Webb Professor in Physical Sciences and a Professor in Astronomy and Physics at UC Berkeley. She is an astrophysicist who enjoys using luminous matter to study the dark side of the universe: black holes, dark matter, and dark energy. Ma is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is an avid violin player and was a student at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston while pursuing her undergraduate and PhD degrees at MIT.

Become a VIP

What’s better: local wine or luscious cheese? Because they’re actually better together, VIP ticket-holders are invited for a private tasting of both at 5pm, before the party even starts. We’ll have wine and cheese experts with us to guide your experience.

Purchase VIP Admission or any VIP Package, and you’ll be invited to this private tasting. In addition, VIP ticket-holders will receive complimentary drinks throughout the evening, reserved premium seating for the program, and a portion of your ticket purchase is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

VIP Packages

Star Package – $1,800

VIP Admission for 4

$1,200 of this ticket purchase is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law

Nova Package – $2,600

VIP Admission for 6

$1,700 of this ticket purchase is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law

Supernova Package – $5,000

VIP Admission for 12

$3,200 of this ticket purchase is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law

Purchase a Package

Sponsors

Sponsors

Bayer

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Patrons

Ayyana Chakravartula and Will Holt

Roger and Patricia Falcone

Kelly Flagella

Alan Gould and Diane Tokugawa

David Patterson

Submit a Talk

Be part of the program! Submit your idea for a short science talk before Friday, August 29, 2025.

Donate

Event tickets and packages are not able to be purchased using a Donor Advised Fund. If you are interested in making a donation to The Lawrence through a Donor Advised Fund, please contact develop@berkeley.edu.

Unable to attend Champagne Supernova, but still want to support The Lawrence?

donate now

Additional Info


Recommended Attire
Business, dressy casual, or whatever makes you most comfortable!

Contact
Questions about the event? Contact lawrencehallevents@berkeley.edu

If you require accommodation for a disability in order to fully participate in this event, please contact Duran Reyes at lawrencehallevents@berkeley.edu as soon as possible.