Science

Vacation Week Flyby: Furry, Fat, and Feathered Friends

Learn about the birds that stay in New England for Winter, and what they do to survive at Mass Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary! Photo: ©Bill O'Connor

Our school vacation programs offer a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities while we keep minds active and hands busy during school break with free-flow learning for the whole family. Each session offers a different theme, with scheduled family presentations and something to engage hearts and minds for all ages and interests.

When: 
Monday, December 29, 2015 10am - 3pm

Imagine, Sing, & Learn 12A: Do Animals Decorate?

Hermit Crabs are natural decorators of their homes.  Preschoolers will find out more at Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport.

This parent/child program is designed for the creative, curious, and active preschooler. Each 90-minute session offers a structured series of activities including original songs, movement, dramatic play, hands-on science, and a thematic snack. You'll receive coloring pages, song lyrics, vocabulary, a fun fact sheet, and a suggested reading list via email.  This Session is all about animals who decorate!

When: 
Thursday, December 17, 2015 1-2:30 pm

Friday Morning

Hermit Crabs are natural decorators of their homes.  Preschoolers will find out more at Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport.

This parent/child program is designed for the creative, curious, and active preschooler. Each 90-minute session offers a structured series of activities including original songs, movement, dramatic play, hands-on science, and a thematic snack. You'll receive coloring pages, song lyrics, vocabulary, a fun fact sheet, and a suggested reading list via email.  This Session is all about animals who decorate!

When: 
Thursday, December 17, 2015 1-2:30 pm

Geminid Meteor Shower at Ipswich River

The Geminid Meteor Shower at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

Step out under the December night sky to seek out shooting stars associated with the Geminid meteor shower, which is considered by many to be one of the strongest showers of the year, rivaling in strength the better known Perseid meteor shower of mid-August. The Geminids have a reputation for producing very bright shooting stars, or fireballs. Although it is not possible to know just how many meteors we will see, the fact that the shower reaches maximum intensity on this night should improve our chances of spotting some of them. The observing portion of the program will be preceded by an indoor presentation that will explain the origin of meteor showers in general, and the Geminids in particular, as well as the best way to observe them.

When: 
Saturday, December 12, 2015 8-10pm

Owls & Art at Ipswich River

Learn about owls, then create art from what you learn at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary!

We are all intrigued by the elusive owls. We'll learn about these creatures and have the opportunity to observe owls mounts and touch feathers, followed by a walk outside to look and listen for owls. Upon our return, we will let Mother Nature be our inspiration and create owl art from a variety of mediums at different work stations.

When: 
Friday, November 13, 2015 5-7pm

Fungi and Lichens: A Closer Look

Find out everything about fungus and become a fungus detective at IRWS!

As fall descends, we will explore the sanctuary forests and wetlands for various fungi and lichens. We will learn what they are and how they are different, and what habitats are common to each. Their beautiful colors, textures, and patterns reveal a beautiful world in all seasons. This can become a wonderful family outdoor hobby, and you will always find new treasures awaiting you if you look closely.

When: 
Sunday October 11, 2015 1:30-3pm

Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Family Whale Watch

A whale breaches on Stellwagen Bank off of the coast of Massachusetts.

This is a whale watch with a birding twist! Joppa Flats Education Center invites families on a special excursion offshore to discover the wonder of whales aboard the Captain's Lady III! Play the part of a whale researcher and learn about the lives of whales and the habitats they use to feed, live and breed.

When: 
Sunday, July 7, 2013 8am-1pm

Second Fridays at MIT Museum: Living in the Future

Come to MIT Museum and see what may be in your future!

Get a jump start on your weekend with the Second Friday Program at the MIT Museum! Second Friday Programs are oriented for open exploration with opportunities to attend performances, demonstrations, and lectures through out the museum galleries. November's 2013's Second Friday will focus on food science. Featuring Kenji López-Alt, Chief Creative Officer of Seriouseats.com and members of Clover Food Lab.

When: 
Friday, September 12, 2014 5-8pm
Location: 

Wild Science with Clay

Kestrel Adventures present Wild Science with Clayton Kern!

Kestrel Educational Adventures invites you meet at the 'Get Outside Center' and caravan to a nearby wild to explore, get muddy, go wading, or stay dry and just watch! Kestrel naturalist Clayton Kern will lead an adventure in the study of reptiles and amphibians. Each week, participants will learn to catch and identify animals and will participate in a wildlife study. Your findings will be displayed at the Kestrel Educational Adventures Get Outside Center in Gloucester!

When: 
Fridays, July 25 - August 29, 2014 3:30-5:30pm

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Brookwood School Summer Program for kids Pre-K through 9 in Manchester Massachusetts

Music Together - Saturday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
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...
9:15 am to 11:15 am

Befriend the Barnyard

Befriend the Barnyard is a hands-on barnyard experience at the Trustees of Reservations' Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts
Discover our special barnyard animals! Our Angora rabbits Violet, Mabel, Oiver and Charles; Nubian goats Maeve, Morgana, and Mordred; dairy cows Gray, Jasmine, their calves Gigi and Joanie and our friendly flock of heritage chickens will take center stage as we learn about what makes them so unique...
11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Trustees Winterlights at Stevens Coolidge Place

The Trustees of Reservations Winterlights at the Stevents-Coolidge Place North Andover North Andover.
Winterlights is back! Join the Trustees for a magical outdoor experience at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, and see the gardens aglow with your favorite light installations as well as marveling at new components. Bring the whole family for a fun and safe outdoor experience. Winterlights runs...
4:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Nice n' Easy Hike at Breakheart Reservation

Nice and Easy winter hike at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Join the Park Interpreter for this weekly guided hike! Each trip will highlight natural and historic features unique to Breakheart. Hikes are moderately paced and range from 2-3 miles over sometimes uneven and rocky terrain. Best for ages 8 years and up. Meet at the Visitor Center.
9:30 pm to 11:30 pm
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