Museum begins fall enrollment for children’s educational academies

The Idaho Museum of Natural History is beginning the fall enrollment for their two educational academies for children.

The Natural History Academy is for children in elementary school and the Pint-Sized Science Academy is for children ages 4 and 5. Classes this year will feature information about planets and the nighttime sky, snowbirds, winter time survival, insects and geology. Both academies offer young scientists an exciting and fun learning experience.

Classes begin Oct. 17 and run through Nov. 15. With exception to the Edson's Legacy class, classes for the Natural History Academy are $15 and Pint-Sized Academy classes are $14.

All classes are held at the Idaho Museum of Natural History, located at Dillon Street and South Fifth Avenue on the campus of Idaho State University in Pocatello. For more information, please call Rebecca Thorne-Ferrel at (208) 282-2195.

The following classes will be offered.

Edson's Legacy: Drawing From Nature

Tuesday, Oct. 17 and 24, 7 to 9 p.m. Ages: 12 – Adult Cost $50.00

Tuesday, Nov. 7 and 14, 7 to 9 p.m.

This two-day class will celebrate the legacy of Edson Fichter. Edson Fichter nurtured a delight in the observation of nature for his students. In this introduction to drawing, learn how to draw fur, feathers, and scales. Use your new talent to draw your favorite mammals, birds or reptiles. Come and explore the beauty in the natural world through art.

I Have A Little Shadow….

Thursday, Oct. 19, 4 to 5 p.m. Ages: 4 and 5

A shadow is a mysterious thing. Sometimes large, often small, sometimes very oddly shaped in all. Sometimes you can see your shadow, sometimes it is no where to be found. Trees make shadows, too, as do buildings, and cars whistling down the road. Why? What is a shadow? How can a shadow be large and then small?

Perk Up Your Ears

Thursday, Oct. 26, 4 to 5 p.m. Ages: 4 and 5

Hearing is an important sense to all living things. How do you hear? Can your ears move? What do elephants do with their ears? How do bats hear? Learn how ears work.

Rock Bottom Basics: A Geology Primer

Thursday, Nov. 2, 4 to 5 p.m. Ages: Kindergarten and First Grade

A rock is not just a rock. There are three different rock types, and ever so many amazing rocks within each basic type. Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary! Come and learn about the basics about rocks, have some fun and next time know all about that rock in your pocket.

Spooky Insects

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Ages: First through Third Grades

Insects are among the most amazing creatures. They come in so many different shapes,

sizes, and colors. Even though many people think insects are spooky, they do a lot of good work. Students will learn about the anatomy, habitats, and survival adaptations of insects.

Snow Birds: Heading South

Wednesday, Nov. 15, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Ages: Second and Third Grades

No, not people in RV's heading to Arizona! We're talking birds packing their satchels and heading to Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica and beyond. Come and learn where the robins and wrens spend their winters, and why they migrate south.

Backyard Birding For Children

Monday, Nov. 6, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Ages: Third through Sixth Grades

Take a look out of the kitchen window and what do you see? Flowers, trees, birds? Is there anything special that attracts birds to your yard? Learn about backyard birds, how to identify them, and how to invite them to "hang out" in yards through the Fall and Winter.

The Winter Time Sky

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Ages: Fourth through Sixth Grades

Have you noticed that the stars change from summer to winter? Except for Polaris, the stars and constellations you see in July aren't the same in December. We'll be learning not only about stars, but the constellations as well. Join us for a cosmic good time.

Whose A Planet? What's A Planet?

Tuesday, Nov. 14, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Ages: Fourth through Sixth Grades

Pluto is not a planet! Why do we now only have eight planets in our solar system? We will be learning about the characteristics of a planet, the solar system, orbital plane of the planets, and using what we learn to design a planet of our very own.

The Big Shiver: Winter Time Survival

Thursday, Nov. 9, 4 to 5:30 p.m. Ages: Fifth through Seventh Grades

Ever wonder how early Peoples survived Idaho's cold winters 5, 000 years ago? What would people find to eat? How would they keep warm? What tools would they need to make to survive? These were important questions for Prehistoric Peoples.