Idaho Museum of Natural History announces “A Science for Every Season” schedule for fall 2013

The Idaho Museum of Natural History (IMNH) at Idaho State University will offer classes, programs, and special events throughout the fall to spark interest in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. These programs are taught by Idaho certificated and pre-service teachers and scientists at the Idaho Museum of Natural History.

The fall line-up includes the following events:

• IMNH and Ross Park Physics at the Park: Monday, Sept. 9 from 3 to 4 p.m. Participants will learn about gravity, energy, force and acceleration on this trip to Ross Park. Grades 3 -5, $10.

• IMNH Making & Breaking Codes: Wednesday, Sept. 11 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Codes have existed for centuries as a sneaky form of communication. Participants will learn how to identify, crack and create secret codes. Grades 4 – 6, $10.

• IMNH and the ISU Quad Collect Rocks Day Celebration: Monday, Sept. 16 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Participants will learn about different kinds of rocks and how to identify them. Participants will then take a tour of campus begin their own unique collections. Grades K-3, $10.

• IMNH Amazing Cells: Monday, Sept. 23 from 3 to 4 p.m. Participants will take a field trip to the inside of a cell and learn about cell structure and functions. Grades 4 – 6, $10.

• IMNH and the ISU Quad Tree Walk: Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The ISU campus is rich in plant life, and boasts dozens of native trees. Participants will take a walking tour to learn about what makes each of these trees unique. Grades 4 – 8, $10.

• IMNH and Red Hill Bird’s Eye Geography: Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Participants will change their point of view with a hike up Red Hill, and identify Pocatello landmarks from a bird’s eye view. Grades 3 – 6, $10.

• IMNH Academy Rocketry: Friday, Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Participants will enjoy a full day class learning about the fun and physics of rockets. A pizza lunch will be provided. Grades 4 – 8, $45.

• IMNH It’s Alive!!!: Monday, Oct. 7 from 4 to 5 p.m. Participants will learn about the traits of living and nonliving things by experimenting with yeast. Grades 5 – 7, $10.  

• IMNH Rube Goldberg Machines: Thursday, Oct. 10 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. This very hands-on class explores physics, engineering, and innovation. Grades 5 – 8, $25.  

• IMNH Pumpkin Party: Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 3 to 4. Participants will learn about math and science by measuring, weighing, estimating and counting seeds, and making sink-or-float predictions about pumpkins. Be prepared to get messy! Grades 2 -5, $10.

• IMNH Owl Puke: Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Owls have a unique digestive system, and will “throw up” a lot of their last meal. Participants will see what they leave behind! Grades 5-8, $15.

• IMNH Maps & Mazes (Part I): Thursday, Oct. 24 from 3 to 4 p.m. In part one of this two-part course, participants will learn about cartography; how and why maps are made, and then make their own. Grades 4 – 8, $10.

• IMNH and Swore Farms Maps & Mazes (Part II): Friday, Oct. 25 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. In part two of this course, participants will visit Swore Farms Corn Maze to practice understanding of cartography. Grades 4 – 8, $25.

• IMNH Ghost Stories: Monday, Oct. 28 from 3 to 4 p.m. Participants will read some spooky ghost stories and discuss their importance in developing historical and cultural understanding. Grades 4 – 6, $10.

• IMNH Animal Camouflage: Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Animals are amazing masters of disguise. Participants will explore different methods of camouflage and create a habitat that can provide a safe hiding place. Grades K – 3, $10.

• IMNH Goo and Gross Science: Wednesday, Nov. 6 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Science isn’t always pretty! Participants will get messy making goo and slime and learning about our sticky, stinky world. Grades 1 – 3, $10.

• IMNH Star Gazing: Friday, Nov. 8 from 7 to 8 p.m. In this late-night class, participants will learn about mythology, make a constellation viewer, and see if they can identify the constellations in the sky. Don’t forget a coat! Grades 3 – 8, $10.

• IMNH Electricity: Monday, Nov. 11 from 4 to 5 p.m. Does electricity “spark” interest? In this class participants will learn about this powerful source of energy by making their own electric motor. Grades 5 – 7, $10.

• IMNH Academy: CSI Science: Friday, Nov. 15 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This full-day class is perfect for future detectives. Explore the science of police work including fingerprinting and unique technologies. A pizza lunch will be provided. Grades 4 – 8, $45.

• IMNH Leaf Printing: Monday, Nov. 18 from 3 to 3:30 p.m. In this class, participants will go outside and learn about why leaves change color in the fall and collect leaves to use in a creative art project. Grades K -2, $5.

• IMNH Stop Motion Animation: Monday, Dec. 2 from 4 to 5 p.m. Participants will learn about the magic of animation by making their own stop motion film. Grades 4 – 7, $10.

• IMNH To Hibernate or Not to Hibernate: Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 3:15 to 4 p.m. Learn about how animals (including the human animal) stay warm in the winter. Participants will make fleece scarves and test their warmth out in the winter cold. Grades 2 – 4, $10.

• IMNH Cooking Science: Monday, Dec. 9 from 3:15 to 4 p.m. Participants will learn about everyday uses of math and chemistry by making a sweet treat to share. Grades 2 – 4, $10.

• IMNH Toy Factory: Wednesday, Dec. 18 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Toys range from simple, to complex. Participants will be designing and creating their own toys, just in time for the holiday season. Grades 4 – 8, $25.

Special events at the Idaho Museum of Natural History include:  

• Pre-School Picnics: Every Wednesday, from 11-11:30 a.m. This event is free with paid admission to the Museum and features hands-on discoveries for young learners and emergent readers. Each session includes science themed hands-on and movement activities, read-aloud stories, and explorations of the Museum's galleries from a preschool point of view. Ages 2-5.

• Take a Child Outside Week: Sept. 24-30. Take a Child Outside Week is a program designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from discovering their natural world. The IMNH will host special outdoor activities from Sept. 23-25.

• Muggle Magic: Saturday, Oct. 19. This even is free with paid admission to the Museum and features “Real Science from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.” Participants will explore herbology, mix potions, meet mythical creatures, and hunt for the Golden Snitch among other fascinating exhibits. All ages welcome.

• Zoo Boo: Saturday, Oct. 26. This event is free with paid admission to the Pocatello Zoo. Participants will learn more about local flora and fauna with a trick-or-treat through the Pocatello Zoo. All ages welcome.

• IMNH Academies: Friday, Oct. 4 and Friday, Nov. 15.  IMNH will host all day academies to keep students engaged during their day off.

• Natural Ornament Contest: Create a unique holiday ornament using only found, natural materials, and the winner receives free tuition to one of our exciting classes.

Bring the participant's ornament, name and phone number to IMNH before Dec. 20 for a chance to win.

Class prices are determined by duration and materials and there are no bulk discounts unless noted in the class description. Targeted age groups are firm and intended for children who have already mastered certain tasks in previous grades.

For more information, contact Kelly Pokorny, Education Resources Coordinator, at pokokell@isu.edu or by calling 282-2195.

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