Join us for Science Story Time! Each week, we’ll learn about a different science theme as we read a story, explore an exhibition, and engage in hands-on activities specially chosen for preschool families.
Science Story Time
Explore a new science topic every time!
This season, join us as we learn about a range of science topics — from mirrors and balance to moose and leafcutter ants!
January 6: Bubbles
Explore the exhibition Bubbles: Science in Soap and join us as we read the silly book The Big Bad Bubble by Adam Rubin. You’ll then have a chance to build your own bubble wands that can make giant bubbles.
January 13: Parachutes
We’ll explore what makes us feel safe as we read the book Parachute by Danny Parker and then make our own miniature parachute to launch off the museum balcony.
January 20: Fossils
Enjoy the amazing illustrations in Steve Jenkin’s Prehistoric Actual Size before exploring the museum’s own fossil collection.
January 27: Mirrors
Families will have the chance to use mirrors to solve ingenious puzzles in the book M is for Mirror by Duncan Burmingham. After the story you’ll get to experiment with puzzles, reflections, angles and more with table top mirrors.
February 3: Wiggle Bots
Join us as we read the book Stop! Bot! by James Wang. Afterward, we’ll have fun building our own fences to keep scurrying mechanical bots under control.
February 10: The Montshire Moose
Meet the bull moose in the Discovering the Natural World exhibition as we read Looking for a Moose by Phyllis Root. We’ll then have the chance to practice our own tracking skills by matching animal tracks and making our own track books.
February 17: Let’s Drive
Experiment with creating gravity-powered toy cars after reading Mo Willem’s book Let’s Go for a Drive.
February 24: Box and Blocks
Let your imagination run wild as we read Not a Box by Antoinette Portis. After the story, we’ll get creative using cardboard and tools.
March 3: Rockets
Learn about the parts of a moon rocket in Tony Mitton’s Roaring Rockets, then make your own stomp rocket to launch skyward.
March 10: Caterpillars
Enjoy Eric Carle’s classic story The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Then, get creative and make your own caterpillar toy to take home.
March 17: Moon
Learn about the moon as we read the book Moon: Earth’s Best Friend by Stacy McAnulty. Afterward, we’ll have fun with moon art— lava, craters, and all.
March 24: Fish Fun
Relax surrounded by the aquariums in Life in Local Waters as we read the book Pattern Fish by Trudy Harris. After the story time we’ll create our own patterned paper fish to take home.
March 31: Vultures
Join us as we read Vulture View by April Pulley Sayre, and learn about these interesting birds of prey. Afterward, we’ll make our own flapping bird toys to take home.
