Science

Deep Sky Tour of the Milky Way

Stars are born, live for eons, and explode in a colorful display of gas & light. Find out more at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Stretching high overhead at this time of the year once the sun has fully set and darkness has settled in, from vantage points far removed from light-polluted city skies, is the starry river we call the Milky Way. In the indoor portion of this evening's program, we will go on a photographic tour of the celestial jewels strewn within its starry fields that are best viewed through a telescope. Such so-called deep sky objects include star clusters, stellar nurseries, supernova remnants, and more. Presented by physicist Gary Meehan

When:

Saturday, October 13, 2018 7:30-9pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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STEAM TEAM at Joppa

STEAM comes to the Mass Audubon Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport!

Join the Joppa Flats STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Team, where you will work together with other creative and curious students for a weekly engineering challenge! We'll study how scientists and engineers have designed prosthetic legs for elephants, prosthetic beaks for eagles, and the prosthetic tail for "Winter" the Dolphin from Dolphin Tales. In collaboration with other creative and curious students, we'll work on problem-solving skills, increase your awareness of design elements in nature, and unleash your inner scientist!

When:

Thursdays, September 13 - October 18, 2018 4:30-5:30PM

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Castle Neck River Boat Tours

Explore the the Crane Wildlife Refuge by boat with the Trustees of Reservations!

Explore the waters Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate by boat with the Trustees of Reservations! Join us for a cruise in Essex Bay aboard our pontoon boat the Osprey! We’ll view the seldom seen backside of the Crane Wildlife Refuge, and take a turn around Choate Island to view the open fields, wooded hillside and historic structures from the water.

When:

Saturday, October 6, 2018 9-10:30am

Saturday, October 13, 2018 1:30-3PM

Location:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

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Cape Ann Sustainability Fair

TownGreen 2025, a program of the Gloucester Meeting House Foundation, presents its third annual Cape Ann Sustainability Fair. This community-wide event will offer information and resources for everyone from interested students to leaders in the local sustainability movement. Speakers and exhibitors will target home owners, business owners, renters, elected officials, teachers, and all other stakeholders.

When:

Saturday, September 29, 2018 10am-4pm

Location:

O'Maley Innovation Middle School

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Sailbot 2013

Robots come in all shapes and sizes, but in Gloucester this June you'll be able to see demonstrations of one-of-a-kind sail boat robots! SailBot 2013 is an international robotic sailing regatta open to student teams wishing to design, build and compete robotic sailboats. SailBot 2013, the North American competition for robotic sailboats will be held in Gloucester Harbor, Massachusetts. This year's event is hosted by Olin College and the City of Gloucester and includes 19 teams, including Gloucester High School, seven other high school teams and teams from several universities.

When:

June 9-13, 2013

Location:

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Touch Tank Time

You can look at, AND touch the creatures in Joppa Flats touch tank!

Summer beach days are over, but our 110-gallon tide pool touch tank is still filled with marine life! Drop in for this free program at Joppa Flats and examine the critters you might have discovered on your own visits to the shore. Sea Urchiins, Moon Snails, Sand Dollars, hermits, Horseshoe Crabs, and more! This free programming for folks of all ages includes special features for little ones.

When:

Weekends September 8-23, 2018 12:30-3:30pm

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

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Backpack Babies at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Backpack Babies is a program that encourages caregivers to explore the natural world with their babies and toddlers. Photo: Sharon Grimes

Backpack Babies is a program that encourages caregivers to explore the natural world with their babies and toddlers. Bring your backpack/frontpack or jogging stroller and explore the meadows, forests, and wetlands with your baby in this four-session series. Each class will begin indoors with a nature book and a few lap rhymes, songs, and games about the topic of the day. Then we'll go outside for a closer look at nature's gifts with our:

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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Seabirds and Whales Cruise

Learn about sea birds while whale watching aboard the Privateer IV out of Gloucester, Massachusetts!

Have a wonderful time watching for whales and seabirds on a trip with naturalists from Joppa Flats Education Center out of Gloucester aboard the Privateer IV. Aside from marine mammals, we will look for storm-petrels, gannets, jaegers, terns, gulls, and phalaropes. Most trips will head to the productive Stellwagen Bank.

When:

Monday, September 17, 2018 1-5pm

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CoastSweep: Annisquam River

Some coastal trash is accidental like this lobster pot washed up by a storm.

As part of COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup, volunteers are encouraged to come to Gloucester to help in the statewide effort to keep our coastline clean along the Annisquam River. Trash collected will be measured and analyzed, and the data will be sent to Washington DC to aid the government in creating legislation to minimize trash in our oceans! This specific cleanup is coordinated by Jamie Mathison and the Gloucester Clean City Commission.

When:

Saturday, September 15, 2018 9am

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Bound for Butterflies

Joppa Flats Education Center will have Free indoor and outdoor activities for kids and families!

Join the park interpreter and special guest Russ Hopping on a walk to view and identify various butterfly species at Maudslay. Russ is an active member of the Massachusetts Butterfly Club and enjoys sharing his knowledge of butterflies with others. Russ is the Ecology Program Director for The Trustees of Reservations. He has worked for The Trustees since 1997, overseeing the stewardship of ecological resources at The Trustees’ more than 26,000 acres.

When:

Saturday, August 11, 2018 10am-Noon

Location:

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Bruins Pajama Drive

From February 1 through March 15, Cradles to Crayons®, the Boston Bruins, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and Wonderfund are coming together with organizations in your community to collect new pajamas for local children living in low-income and homeless situations. Together, we are...

7:00 am to 9:00 pm

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Music Together - Wednesday

Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...

Where: St. John's Episcopal Church in Beverly Farms

9:30 am to 11:15 am

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Mini Movers at North Shore Children's Museum

Mini Movers is an engaging dance and movement class for young children at the North Shore Children's Museum. Led by experienced instructors, the program introduces young children to the world of dance in a safe and nurturing environment.

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

10:00 am to 11:00 am

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Friday, February 21

Quarry Quest Treasure Hunt

Enjoy an outdoor treasure hunt at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations during February Vacation! Halibut Point State Park invites kids and families to follow clues then unscramble to find a treasure box!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Hike & Seek: Magic in the Winter Forest

Have you ever wondered what happens in nature during the winter months? Do you have questions like, “where do certain animals go” or “why does it snow”? Join us this February school vacation for this self-guided winter themed family-friendly bundle for use along the Stevens-to-Stevens trail in...

Where: Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Appleton Farms | February Vacation Week Camps

In the winter, many people hunker down to stay indoors, but at Appleton Farms, we make the most of the cold, quiet season. There is no better place to spend winter farm days than in exploring in the snow and learning to love the outdoors in all seasons! This program is for kids who are looking to...

Where: Appleton Farms

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

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February School Vacation at Bradley Palmer

Bradley Palmer State Park is located at 40 Asbury St. in Topsfield. All programs are free and open to the public. Reasonable accommodations upon request. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Events outside may include rough, uneven trails that contain ice and snow, warm clothing and...

Where: Bradley Palmer State Park

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

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Music Together - Friday

Where: Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham

10:30 am to 11:15 am

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Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Where: Breakheart Reservation

10:30 am to 11:30 am

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