January
  | Saturday, J A N U A R Y 30
Astronomy Day |
Celebrate the long winter nights with a full day of celestial activities. Learn how to identify winter constellations, make a sundial or star chart to take home, and find out more about our closest star, the Sun. Here's your chance to talk to an astronomer, measure your latitude, see sunspots and hear ancient stories of the stars!
Free with Museum admission. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
February
 | Friday, F E B R U A R Y 5
Lab Coat Investigations |
Bring your friends and join us at the Museum's Science Discovery Lab to investigate a variety of science and engineering topics. For children ages 9 and above. Check www.montshire.org for detailed schedule. Free with Museum admission. 4:00 p.m.
| Sunday, F E B R U A R Y 7
Lab Coat Investigations |
Bring your friends and join us at the Museum's Science Discovery Lab to investigate a variety of science and engineering topics. For children ages 9 and above. Check www.montshire.org for detailed schedule. Free with Museum admission. 2:30 p.m.
 | Monday, F E B R U A R Y 8
Magic Carpet Luncheon: New England |
This Magic Carpet program features a travelogue by Merlin Lacy, followed by a regionally inspired meal. 11:00 a.m.
Members $12, non-members $15. Register online. For more information about the Magic Carpet program visit www.montshire.org/magic-carpet.
| Thursday, F E B R U A R Y 11
Workshop for Teachers: Astronomy |
Learn how to implement day and nighttime observing activities with your students that teach important ideas in earth and space science. We will introduce lessons from the Insights unit Sun, Earth, and Moon, and those developed by the Montshire education staff. Learn how to observe shadows and sunspots, identify major constellations in the night sky, and explore models to better understand lunar cycles and the reasons for the seasons. Grade 3-6 teachers. 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. $125/person. [
register online]
| Friday, F E B R U A R Y 12
Books and Beyond! Science for Preschoolers |
This program combines great children's literature and hands-on activities for some fun science learning and exploration. Each day features a different book and activity. For children ages 3-5 and their parent or caregiver. Books and Beyond! is generously supported by the Byrne Foundation. Free with Museum admission. 10:15 or 11:30 a.m.
| Saturday, F E B R U A R Y 13
Igloo Build |
Join local expert Dr. Bert Yankielun, and learn the structural secrets of building igloos and other snow dwellings. Then try building your own igloo! The event begins with a demonstration by Dr. Yankielun at 10:30. Igloo building takes place until 2 p.m.
Free with museum admission. Voted one of Vermont's
Top Ten Events. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. [
slideshow of last year's Igloo Build]
| Tuesday, F E B R U A R Y 16
Kitchen Science: Recipes for Fun |
Join the DIY trend and make your own fun! In this half-day workshop we'll cook up play dough and mix finger paint using common household ingredients. Includes a recipe book to take home. Bring your imagination and wear some old clothes.
10 a.m.-12 noon for children in grades K-2
1-3 p.m. for children in grades 3-5.
Members $30, non-members $35. [register online]
| Wednesday, F E B R U A R Y 17
Fun with Digital Cameras, Light, and Pinholes |
We'll investigate how lenses work and make our own camera obscuras. Then, we'll explore new techniques to capture fascinating pictures as we push the limits of the basic point and shoot digital camera. For children in grades 4-6. 10 a.m.- 3 p.m..
Members $70, non-members $78 [register online]
| Thursday, F E B R U A R Y 18
Winter Wanderings |
Spend an afternoon on a snowshoeing adventure at the Montshire. We will be on the look out for different animal signs and learn to interpret them. Snowshoes provided. For children in grades 2-5. 1-4 p.m.
Members $35, non-members $40 [register online]
| Thursday, F E B R U A R Y 18
Winter Animal Tracks |
Make your own track book as we learn about the adaptations and habits of animals that make their homes nearby. We will also get to examine animal mounts from our collection. For children in grades K-2. 10 a.m.-12 noon
Members $30, non-members $35. [register online]
| Saturday, F E B R U A R Y 20
Toothpick Bridge Competition |
Celebrate Engineer's Week! Build a bridge using only toothpicks and glue and bring it to the Montshire Museum for a great event. We'll test each bridge to see how much load capacity it can withstand. Free Museum entry on the day of the competition for each bridge entry and door prizes as well. Enter the student or open division.
2:00 registration and judges' review
2:30 competition begins
Co-sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers. For more rules and event information visit www.ascenh.org, or contact Jeff Bjrz at Jeffrety.Bjrz@lebcity.com or 603-727-6042.
| Tuesday or Friday, F E B R U A R Y 23 or 26
Montshire Matters |
Tuesday, February 23, 8:00 a.m. breakfast
or
Friday, February 26, 12 noon lunch
Join Montshire Executive Director David Goudy for an informal conversation about the Museum's current priorities and plans for the future. For questions or to make a reservation, call 802-649-2200, ext. 249, or email montshirematters@montshire.org.
| Wednesday, F E B R U A R Y 24
Volunteer Training: Science Specialist |
A Science Specialist leads more advanced programs at the Science Discovery Lab and theater. Science Specialists trainings are for specific programs and activities.
4:30-6:30 p.m.
Build a Better Battery—Learn to lead this Discovery Lab activity about electricity, currents, and batteries. Call 802-649-2200 for details
| Monday, M A R C H 8
Magic Carpet Luncheon: Barge trip in France |
This Magic Carpet program features a travelogue by Bob Hargraves, followed by a regionally inspired meal. 11:00 a.m.
Members $12, non-members $15. Register online. For more information about the Magic Carpet program visit www.montshire.org/magic-carpet.
March
| Monday, M A R C H 8
Magic Carpet Luncheon: Barge trip in France |
This Magic Carpet program features a travelogue by Bob Hargraves, followed by a regionally inspired meal. 11:00 a.m.
Members $12, non-members $15. Register online. For more information about the Magic Carpet program visit www.montshire.org/magic-carpet.
| Friday, M A R C H 12
Books and Beyond! Science for Preschoolers |
This program combines great children's literature and hands-on activities for some fun science learning and exploration. Each day features a different book and activity. For children ages 3-5 and their parent or caregiver. Books and Beyond! is generously supported by the Byrne Foundation. Free with Museum admission. 10:15 or 11:30 a.m.
| Tuesday, M A R C H 16
Volunteer Training: Montshire Explainer |
Become a Montshire Explainer and share your love of science with Museum visitors. Greet groups, demonstrate exhibits, lead informal science activities, answer questions, and more. Call 802-649-2200 for details
| Begins Wednesday M A R C H 17
Museum Preschool |
Spring Session: Wednesdays, Mar. 17-May 19 (no class April 21), 9:30-11:30 a.m. or 1-3 p.m.
The Montshire Preschool program is designed to foster the natural curiosity and learning of your child. Look forward to hands-on experiments and fun projects as we explore the physical and natural sciences. For children ages 4 through Kindergarten. Members $245, non-members $270. Sign up for both winter and spring sessions and save $20. Scholarship aid is available. Preschool programs are made possible in part with the support from the Byrne Foundation. Register online.
| Thursday, M A R C H 25
Homeschoolers' Day |
Save the date! Free with Museum admission. 10:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
April
| Monday, A P R I L 12
Magic Carpet Luncheon: Bhutan |
This Magic Carpet program features a travelogue by Paul Klee and Lee Larson, followed by a regionally inspired meal. 11:00 a.m.
Members $12, non-members $15. Register online. For more information about the Magic Carpet program visit www.montshire.org/magic-carpet.
May
| Thursday, M A Y 6
Workshop for Teachers: Observing Life Cycles: Amphibians and Insects |
Many animal life cycles can be observed in the classroom with a little know-how and patience. And the effort is rewarded 100-fold with the opportunities for observation, data recording, and sheer joy that you'll experience along with your students as they learn about the ecology of animals. In the morning, we'll look at amphibians as an example of a vertebrate life cycle that incorporates both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, and in the afternoon we'll examine the amazing metamorphosis of insects. Grade K-6 teachers. $125. [
register online]
| Monday, M A Y 10
Magic Carpet Luncheon: Greenland and Baffin Island |
This Magic Carpet program features a travelogue by Bob Christie, followed by a regionally inspired meal. 11:00 a.m.
Members $12, non-members $15. Register online. For more information about the Magic Carpet program visit www.montshire.org/magic-carpet.
Note: All activities meet at the Museum and no pre-registration is necessary unless stated otherwise. Call 802 649-2200 for more information.
