UA Museum Offers Fun Learning for Young ‘Scientists’

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Exploring insects, learning about trees, discovering weather and diving into physics are just a few things West Alabama children will have an opportunity to learn as the Alabama Museum of Natural History on The University of Alabama’s campus kicks off its spring children’s programs.

The programs, which started about four years ago, are designed to bring natural history programming to scientists of all ages, said Allie Sorlie, the museum’s education outreach coordinator.

“By learning about natural history and science, we hope to connect students to the world around them,” she said.

Growing Up Wild Preschool Morning is the first Friday of every month. At this event, caregivers and their preschooler explore a variety of activities in the museum. Scavenger hunts, crafts, puzzles and books are found throughout the museum for a morning of hands-on discovery and fun. The participants learn about everything from physics to trees. The program is offered from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 6, March 6, April 3 and May 1. The cost is $2 per participant and caregiver.

Museum Monday is an afterschool program for kindergarten through second-graders and is held the first Monday of every month. With topics such as Gross Science and Meteorology, this program gives participants a chance to explore natural history and science through museum collections, expertise and experiments. There is also a “make and take” activity during each session. The program runs from 3:30-5 p.m. Feb. 2, March 2, April 6 and May 4. The cost is $8 per participant.

Explorer Wednesday is an after-school program for third- through fifth-graders and is held the first Wednesday of every month. This natural-history based program gives students the chance to discover just what makes Alabama, and our world, the beautiful. The program runs from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Feb. 4, March 4, April 1 and May 6. The cost is $8 per participant.

Parents can register their children for all four months or pick and choose which one they would like to attend. The fee covers all programming and supplies, as well as a snack.

To register, parents may phone the museum at 205/348-7550 or email museum.programs@ua.edu.