Set Sail During Hands-On Event at UA Museum

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” have nothing on this year’s pirate-themed Hands-on Family Night at the Alabama Museum of Natural History on The University of Alabama campus.

A collaborative effort between UA’s Graduate School, the Graduate Student Association, Graduate Parent Support and Alabama Museum of Natural History, the event will wreak havoc on the open seas from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at the natural history museum in Smith Hall.

The event features exhibits by graduate students in different departments, as well as music, food and door prizes. It is open to students, faculty, staff and community members, and it is free.

“This event provides an evening where graduate students can give back to the community and provide fun, educational activities for children that correspond with the graduate students particular departments,” said Dr. Cori Perdue, director of UA’s Graduate School Programs. “It also provides an evening where student parents — we have more than 3,000 — can bring their children to an event on campus that is family friendly.

“Student parents often feel socially isolated, and they think they are the only one on campus who have kids, but in reality, nationally, more than 1 in 4 students have kids. Events like this help student parents connect two important parts of their life: school and kids,” she said.

Following this year’s pirate theme, children and their parents are invited to explore the magical wonders of land and sea while they embark on a treasure hunt.

Each department has created activities related to pirates, water travel, treasure hunting and more. From pirate-themed math activities and creating treasure maps to visiting with live animals and discovering some of the museum’s hidden secrets by using a compass, the young “pirates” will have one goal — to find where “X” marks the spot.

Attendees are welcome to don their favorite eye patches, boots, sashes and vests and give Captain Jack Sparrow a run for his money when it comes to the best dressed pirate.

“The grad students are embracing the theme very well,” Perdue said. “They are excited to provide both a fun and educational event for families.”