Sustainable Shelter: Dwelling within the Forces of Nature exhibition

February 1– May 26, 2014

Explore biodiversity, human and animal architecture, ecosystems, and energy and water conservation —all from the perspective of the "home". See innovative home building technologies and learn about strategies that can help restore the health and viability of natural systems. On view in the second-floor gallery February 1–May 26, 2014.

What can we learn from nature to make our dwellings more sustainable parts of the earth's natural systems? Shelter is a universal human need—a need we share with other living things. Since buildings consume lots of resources and almost half of all the energy used in the United States it's important that we make them more efficient. Explore biodiversity, human and animal architecture, ecosystems, and energy and water conservation —all from the perspective of the "home", in a new traveling exhibition at the Montshire Museum. Visitors will see innovative home building technologies and learn about strategies that can help restore the health and viability of natural systems in the Sustainable Shelter: Dwelling Within the Forces of Nature, at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont, February 1 through May 26, 2014.

http://montshire.org/exhibits/featured-exhibitions/sustainable-shelter-dwelling-within-the-forces-of-nature/

What can we learn from nature to make our dwellings a sustainable part of the earth’s natural environment ? Find out when visiting the new exhibition, "Sustainable Shelter: Dwelling within the Forces of Nature" opening Saturday, February 1 at the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vermont.

link to press release: http://montshire.org/about/pressroom/press-releases/sustainable-shelter-taking-cues-from-nature/

Young Scientist Program

Program dates for the 2013-2014 school year:

Session 4 - March 5 - April 9  (6 weeks) Montshire member $170,  non-member $185

Session 5 - April 23 - May 14  (4 weeks) Montshire member $115,  non-member $125

(Register for 2 sessions at a time, save $10; register for 3 sessions at a time, save $20.)

A weekly program designed to ignite and foster young children’s curiosity about the physical and natural world. This program for preschoolers and kindergartners (ages 4-6) integrates hands-on experiments, fun projects, and individual explorations in the physical and natural sciences. The science investigations and natural history explorations are specially designed to introduce young learners to the tools and processes of science in an age appropriate manner. Both morning (9:30–11:30 a.m.) and afternoon (1–3 p.m.) sessions are offered during the Fall, Winter, and Spring terms. A typical Young Scientist program includes the following activities:

• Free Play

• Circle and Class Meeting to introduce the day’s theme

• Hands-on Science Investigation

• Snack

• Story time

• Outside Exploration or additional Science Investigations

The Young Scientist program is taught by Amy VanderKooi and Rebecca Haynes, and two assistant teachers who help with activities to ensure every child is receiving individual attention.

http://montshire.org/programs/children-families/young-scientist-program/

https://www.formstack.com/forms/mms-young_scientist_program_2013_2014

Montshire Unleashed: An Evening for Adults

Fridays, 6-9 p.m.

April 4, July 18

Allow your inner curiosity to run wild! The Montshire is open after hours for adults of all ages. Pull up a stool at the Science Discovery Lab for some amazing activities or simply explore the Museum’s visiting and permanent exhibits on your own. Jasper Murdock Ale and wine from the Norwich Inn will be available for purchase. Programs free with museum admission: $14 for adults, free for members.

Montshire Museum of Science Hands On Activities

Saturday, April 5

11:00 a.m. Skulls

Learn about New England wildlife as you examine their skeletal remains.

3:00 p.m. Creeping Colors

Watch as capillary action causes water to creep up your paper strip. As it creeps you will see it separate the dyes from markers into a rainbow of colors.

Montshire Museum of Science Hands On Activities

Sunday, April 6

11:00 a.m. Parachutes

Construct a miniature parachute and learn how air resistance works to slow down a falling object.

3:00 p.m. Cells (Lab Coat Investigation for those ages 9 and up)

Books and Beyond: Science for Preschoolers

April 7, 10:15-11 am or 11:30 am-12:15pm

This popular Montshire program combines great children’s literature and hands-on activities for fun science learning and exploration. Each day features a different book and activity. For children ages 3-5 and their parent or caregiver. Free with museum admission.

http://montshire.org/programs/children-families/books-and-beyond1/

Egg Drop Contest

Saturday, April 12, 2014, 12-3 pm

Will a raw egg survive the harrowing 18-foot plunge over the second story balcony? Design a container at home or at the Museum from noon to 2 p.m. that will protect the egg from breaking. Beginning at 2 p.m., it's "eggs away" as you launch your egg and container over the balcony.

http://montshire.org/programs/special-events/egg-drop/

Gravity Makes it Go! April Vacation Program

Monday, April 14, 10 a.m.–noon

We all know that force of gravity makes things fall. But what happens we harness the energy of a falling object? We will experiment with motion and make a toy that uses gravity to make it go. Limit 12 participants. For children in grades k-2. Fee: Montshire members $35, non-members $40. A supervised lunch hour will be provided for student signed up for both programs on April 14.

Register online: https://www.formstack.com/forms/mms-gravity_makes_it_go_april_2014

All About Air: April Vacation Program

Monday, April 14, 1–3 p.m.

Air can be a powerful tool and incredibly fun to experiment with! In this workshop we will investigate the properties of air. We will squish air, move air, and use it to create wonderful pneumatic toys. Limit 12 participants. For children in grades k-2. Fee: Members $35, non-members $40. A supervised lunch hour will be provided for student signed up for both programs on April 14.

Register online: https://www.formstack.com/forms/mms-all_about_air_april_2014

http://montshire.org/programs/children-families/all-about-air-april-vacation-program/

Montshire Museum of Science Hands On Activities

Wednesday, April 16

11:00 a.m. Optical Tops

Experience how rotational motion can create some unusual optical illusions.

3:00 p.m. Parachutes

Toy Cars: April Vacation Program

Thursday, April 17, 2014 10:00am - 3:00pm

Imagine spending the day designing and building cars! We'll start the day experimenting with wheels and axles to make a self-propelled toy car. Using what we learned in the morning, we'll add motors, pulleys, and gears to make motorized cars that can zoom through the Museum. And, participants get to take their car home. For children in grades 3–5. Montshire members $70, non-members $80. Pre-Registration Required: https://https//www.formstack.com/forms/mms-toy_cars_april_2014.

http://montshire.org/programs/children-families/toy-cars-april-vacation-week/

Montshire Museum of Science Hands On Activities

Tuesday, April 22

11:00 p.m. Hoopster Glider

Build a glider that flies! You will experiment with and change your design to see if you can make it fly even further.

3:00 p.m. Exploring Magnets

Discover some cool things about magnets and their properties as we conduct some experiments using lots of different materials. 

Lab Coat Investigations

April 22-25, 1-1:30 pm

Lab Coat Investigations explore a different topic—from making batteries to using microscopes, extracting DNA to modeling glaciers. This activity is for adults and children 9 years of age and older.

Dr. Charles C. Palmer is Chief Technology Officer for Security and Privacy for IBM Research where he focuses on special projects relating to security and privacy, unique customer challenges, and national security issues. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at Dartmouth College

where he teaches Security and Privacy and other courses. Prior to taking on these roles, he led the Security and Privacy departments at IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Research Center for several years, where he also founded IBM’s ethical hacking lab.

Young Scientist Program

Session 5 - April 23 - May 14  (4 weeks) Montshire member $115,  non-member $125

A weekly program designed to ignite and foster young children’s curiosity about the physical and natural world. This program for preschoolers and kindergartners (ages 4-6) integrates hands-on experiments, fun projects, and individual explorations in the physical and natural sciences. The science investigations and natural history explorations are specially designed to introduce young learners to the tools and processes of science in an age appropriate manner. Both morning (9:30–11:30 a.m.) and afternoon (1–3 p.m.) sessions are offered during the Fall, Winter, and Spring terms. A typical Young Scientist program includes the following activities:

• Free Play

• Circle and Class Meeting to introduce the day’s theme

• Hands-on Science Investigation

• Snack

• Story time

• Outside Exploration or additional Science Investigations

The Young Scientist program is taught by Amy VanderKooi and Rebecca Haynes, and two assistant teachers who help with activities to ensure every child is receiving individual attention.

http://montshire.org/programs/children-families/young-scientist-program/

https://www.formstack.com/forms/mms-young_scientist_program_2013_2014

Montshire Museum of Science Hands On Activities

Wednesday, April 23

11:00 a.m. Mirror Mirror

Use mirrors to investigate symmetry. You will turn simple shapes into complex and interesting patterns.

3:00 p.m. Parachutes

Construct a miniature parachute and learn how air resistance works to slow down a falling object.

Montshire Museum of Science Hands On Activities

Thursday, April 24

11:00 a.m. Skulls

Learn about New England wildlife as you examine their skeletal remains.

3:00 p.m. Color Mixing

Mix it up by experimenting with primary colors and seeing what new colors can be created.

Montshire Museum of Science Hands On Activities

Friday, April 25

11:00 a.m. Straw Rockets

Using the power of air, you will make a rocket and see how far it can fly.

3:00 p.m. Sound Science

Sounds are all around us. You will experiment with how sounds are created and how they travel.

Afterschool Adventures - Science Friday: Kids Edition

Fridays, April 25, May 9 & May 16, 3:15pm - 5:15pm. Drop-off between 3:15–3:30 p.m., pick-up by 5:15 p.m. For kids who love "doing" science! This is an opportunity to explore science and nature using hands-on experiences and real experiments. We will hypothesize, test, and  observe, and use our creativity as well. Explore a different theme each week! For children in grades k-2. Fees: Montshire members $85, non-members $95. Pre-Registration Required: https://www.formstack.com/forms/mms-afterschool_adventures_science_friday_2014

http://montshire.org/programs/children-families/afterschool-adventures-science-friday-kids-edition/

Montshire Museum of Science Hands On Activities

Saturday, April 26

11:00 a.m. Creeping Colors

Watch as capillary action causes water to creep up your paper strip. As it creeps you will see it separate the dyes from markers into a rainbow of colors.

3:00 p.m. Balance (Lab Coat Investigation for those ages 9 and up)

Explore the ups-and-downs of balance and make your own balance toy to take home.