Extend your home classroom into the museum!

SPARKS Parent/Child Workshop
Saturday, March 6, 2010
9 a.m.–4 p.m.

The primary goal of Bronx Zoo-initiated SPARKS (Supporting Parents in Advocacy, Reform, and Knowledge in Science) is to promote parental involvement in children’s science education. During our SPARKS workshops, parents and children are divided into separate groups for the morning session, re-grouping in the afternoon. Children participate in guided museum activities while parents learn tactics to engage their children in museum exhibits, the natural world around them, and scientific exploration. Parents also learn how to design science- and nature-related activities, encourage children to ask questions, and find the answers together!

Fee
Free, but pre-registration is required. Space is limited, so register early. Recommended for children K-5th grade. For more information, please contact Marie Pocasangre at 412.578.2456 or pocasangrem@carnegiemnh.org.

Homeschool Classes

Carnegie Museum of Natural History offers a variety of programs for homeschoolers on Tuesday afternoons. These classes enhance inquiry skills and deepen your child’s interest in their world and in science.

Scheduling
All classes are held Tuesdays, 1–2:30 p.m.

Registration
Registrations must be made no later than the Friday before each class. Contact the Program Registration office at 412.622.3288 or ProgramRegistration@carnegiemuseums.org.

Fee
Members: $10 per child, $15 per parent/child pair
Non-members: $12 per child, $17 per parent/child pair
Payment is due at time of registration.

Ages 4–5

Animal Champions October 6
What is the fastest, biggest or longest living animal on the planet today?  Find out who comes in first as you explore the extremes of the animal world.

Winged Things October 20
What are the wings of bats, birds, bees, and butterflies like?  Take a closer look at these winged things to discover their similarities and differences.

My, What Big Teeth You Have! November 3
Learn about the smiles of crocodiles and the grins of gazelles. You'll be surprised at who has the biggest and who has the most teeth in the animal kingdom.

Whale of a Time November 17
Whales are wonderful! Learn all about blowholes and baleen. Check out the flukes, flippers, and fun.

Insectmania December 1
Did you know that all bugs are insects but not all insects are bugs?  Discover whether these fascinating creatures are friend or foe.

Brrr…Cold enough for you? February 9
Come in out of the cold and see how polar bears, seals, reindeer, and people live in the Arctic. Learn their secrets to keeping warm. Feel the difference between reindeer and seal fur.

Roots and shoots February 23
What makes a plant grow? Take a detailed look at the different parts of a plant and examine a flower up close. Make a plant rubbing, and learn how to press flowers and plant seeds.

Going on Safari March 16
Explore the continent of Africa! See the tremendous variety of animals, from a giraffe to a dung beetle. Examine an elephant’s ear and “spot” the difference between a leopard and a cheetah.

Spring into Action April 6
Bears seem hungry, bulbs are peeking, and squirrels are out and about. It must be Spring! From a forest in Pennsylvania to the hibernating sik-sik in the Arctic, we will look at animals waking up after a long winter.

April Fooling April 20
Now you see me, now you don’t! Learn how animals protect themselves through camouflage and coloration. Make a creature, color it, and camouflage it on yourself.

Ages 6–7

Home Sweet Home October 6
Is there something hiding in that tree? Who’s peeking out of that burrow? Find out where your favorite animals live. Explore the many different shapes and sizes of their homes. You’ll discover that animals need homes for all the same reasons that people do, and that their choice of a home suits them perfectly.

Blast from the Past (and Present, Too!) October 20
Explore our planet from the inside out as you learn about molten lava, volcanic activity, and the rocks that are formed from these Earth processes. Visit Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems to identify various igneous rocks and discover how they have been used by many different cultures throughout time.

Whale's Tales November 3
What makes whales so fascinating? Their evolution and lifestyle, as well as the many legends told about them! Explore the science of whales, and also learn about the culture of the New Zealand Māori tribe. Hear the amazing stories of whale riders. Then enjoy a special tour of the Whales | Tohorā exhibition.

Pacific Coast People November 17
Discover the world of the Tlingit Indians and learn how their coastal lifestyle differs from nomadic tribes. Explore the Tlingit people’s survival skills, daily life, and family relationships.

Slimy, Scaly Creatures December 1
Learn what it takes to be a snake specialist, an authority on alligators, and a Komodo dragon connoisseur! Examine amphibian and reptile specimens, handle the tools of the trade, and go behind the scenes into our amphibians and reptile collections room.

Grizzly Bears, Polar Bears, Black Bears, Oh My!  February 9
Where do you find bears? What do they eat? Are they good parents? Get the answers to these and other questions as we journey into the world of three North American bears and compare their lives in the wild.

Discovering the Plains Indians February 23
What was is like to live on the Great Plains many moons ago? Explore the culture of the Plains Indians and find out! Learn about their family life, the importance of the buffalo to their survival, and how to raise a tipi!

What If I Were a Paleontologist? March 16
Are paleontologists only interested in dinosaur bones? No! Come and learn about the time periods and the many kinds of creatures paleontologists unearth and study. Examine some fossils, and prepare a fossil cast to take home.

These Feet Can’t Be Beat! April 6
Why does an otter swim so well? How does a raccoon open a trash can so easily? Learn all about different adaptations that help animals hop, swim, and romp. Then make a track identification booklet to take home!

Fun and Games April 20
This is a class that is full of fun and games! Learn about the origins of some of our favorite pastimes, play an ancient game, and make one of your own. It’s all about playing games, but you will learn something new, too!

Ages 8–9

Pleistocene Parade October 6
Mammoths, giant sloths, saber-tooth cats, and more. Learn about the megafauna that shared North America with our early ancestors and discuss factors in their extinction, including climate change.

Local Herpetology October 20
Don't be afraid of things that slither, hop and crawl! Visit with a naturalist from Powdermill Nature Reserve and go to the Alcohol House where jars of thousands of preserved specimens are stored.

Time Before the Dinosaurs November 3
Discover what life on Earth was like before the Triassic Period! Examine the origins of our planet and the evolution of the earliest life forms.

People of the Plains November 17
Celebrate the life and culture of the Lakota Sioux and learn about their influence on the American West before their defeat in the Indian Wars. Learn how the Sioux managed to build a life completely intertwined with that of the American bison.

Whales | Tohorā December 1
Explore the special exhibition Whales | Tohorā! After visiting the exhibition, create whale art and stories inspired by those of the Māori people.

Hopi Life February 9
Join us for an exciting look at the history and culture of the Hopi civilization! Through classroom activities, discussion, and a tour of Alcoa Foundation Hall of American Indians, we explore the special adaptations of the Hopi people to create a life in a desert climate.

Living Fossils February 23
Did you know that according to the most current paleontological evidence, birds are the living descendants of dinosaurs? Come and examine the evidence, see amazing fossils of feathered dinosaurs, and create a take-home project.

Reuse & Recycle March 16
Get ready for the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day by making something new out of something old! Building upon the lessons learned last spring about the importance of reducing waste in the environment, this class focuses on repurposing “junk.”

Going Places April 6
All around the world and throughout history, the success of humans has often depended upon the development of transportation. Travel on foot all over the museum to see different modes of getting around, from boat to horseback and more!

Into Africa April 20
Join us as we explore Africa! This vast continent is home to an amazing variety of different species. Discuss the biodiversity of the savanna, rain forest, desert, and mountain biomes as we visit the Hall of African Wildlife.

Ages 10–12

Going Green October 6
Being “green” today is more than just a fad; it is a very important promise to the future of our planet. Learn and discuss the ways we can recycle, reuse, and reduce, to protect and conserve our natural resources. Explore how wildlife does their share to recycle materials to benefit their habitats. Let’s learn to make a difference tomorrow by being “green” today!

Into the Woods October 20
From the Pennsylvania hardwood forest to the tropical rainforest, trees give us so much, like wood, paper, shade, and, most importantly, oxygen! Explore different types of forest, and learn how to identify trees. Discover dendrochronology (interpretation of tree rings), and discuss the pros and cons of forest fires. We are not the only ones that depend on trees; wildlife does, as well. By the end of this class, you’ll want to go hug a tree.

I Can Dig It! November 3
Be an archaeologist for the day. Learn how archaeology recreates an ancient culture through a hands-on mock dig. Look at artifacts from the Monongahela people who inhabited our local river valleys hundreds of years ago. Be a detective by interpreting how these stone and bone tools tell a story of people not around to tell the story themselves.

Journey Down the Nile November 17
This is a nice follow-up to “I Can Dig It,” as we explore ancient Egyptian artifacts, discuss preservation in a dry desert environment, and take a look at the geography that allowed the ancient Egyptian civilization to thrive for thousands of years. From the farmers to the pharaohs, ancient Egypt was a fascinating culture. Join us for a journey down the Nile!

Whale Watch December 1
Whales are making a splash at the museum. Come tour the visiting exhibition Whales | Tohorā, which displays enormous skeletons of these amazing animals. Discover who their ancestors are, and learn whale anatomy. Whales are creatures of legend; meet the people whose lives are closely linked to them. This is a unique scientific and cultural experience, so jump into the world of whales.

People of the Poles February 9
Join us as we explore the earth’s poles! The Arctic is rich in cultural heritage, despite the challenging environment; on the other side of the world, the Antarctic is void of human inhabitants other than the scientists who brave the harsh environmental conditions to conduct their research. In this class, take a look at the opposite ends of our world and discover how and why the Arctic became inhabitable and what draws scientists to an uninhabitable continent such as Antarctica.

Fact or Fiction? February 23
Can a porcupine really shoot its quills? Does an opossum really “play” dead? Many animal behaviors are adaptations for survival, and are often misunderstood by the humans who share their habitats. Explore the many misconceptions about animals and their behaviors, and learn what some of these behaviors really mean.

Like a Rock March 16
Discover how rocks can reveal the secrets of the earth! Explore how geologists examine rock formations and learn how to identify the three basic rock types. Beyond the science, rocks are always present in our daily lives. Explore the many uses of rocks, and even take home your own collection.

Take a Hike April 6
Prepare for your spring hikes! Learn to be trackers and look for signs of life, beyond just tracks and scat, to interpret the clues left by those who have walked the trails before us. Explore the sites and sounds that often go unnoticed as we take a hike through the natural history museum.

Lovely Lepidoptera April 20
Spring is the time we start thinking of lepidoptera, the insect order to which butterflies, skippers, and moths belong, and Carnegie Museum of Natural History has one of the largest collections of lepidoptera in the world! Discover the similarities and differences of these lovely insects, view some our extensive collection, and learn how you can attract lepidoptera to your backyard this summer.