Can’t visit us? Use the resources below to learn from home! From citizen science projects to educational videos, find what you need to stay connected with NCMNS and the natural world.
Museum LIVE | Science Now | Videos | For Educators | Ask a Naturalist
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Take a Child Outside Week
It’s almost Take a Child Outside Week! From September 24 to 30 every year, the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and partners across the country celebrate Take a Child Outside Week, and we want you to join us!
Learn what it’s all about in this short video on Facebook, then visit our newly redesigned Take a Child Outside website (takeachildoutside.org) to find places in your neighborhood offering outdoor spaces, and fun and simple activities appropriate for all ages. The newest activities focus on “Dinosaurs Outside” so that young explorers can learn more about dinosaurs on their outdoor explorations.
Museum LIVE
Live, online experiences with the Museum.
A Complete list of Virtual Museum programs is on the Events calendar.
Science Cafe: Cryptic Crayfishes
Thursday, September 24
7–8pm
Join us as Dr. Zachary Loughman details the process of collecting crayfishes and determining if they have been formally described by discussing the process he went through to complete his first crayfish description. You will learn that you don’t necessarily need to go to the Amazon to find a new species; you may simply need to visit your local stream or wetland!
Join us for the Science Cafe on YouTube
Virtual Trivia Tuesday
Tuesdays at 6pm
Register for interactive Virtual Trivia Tuesdays! This is a great opportunity to virtually mingle with friends, compete for bragging rights and perhaps even learn something cool. Questions feature a mix of science facts, current news, pop culture and scientific discoveries.
REGISTER AT THIS LINK TO PLAY SEPTEMBER 29
Trivia Tuesdays on the Events calendar
More featured live events on Museum LIVE
Science Now
DIY Activities, Virtual Tours and more, to do at your own pace.
DIY Eco-friendly Compostable Seedling Planter
Instead of buying plastic seedling planters or trays, you can make compostable seedling planters with paper, flour, and water. Using a compostable seedling planter eliminates the delicate step of transplanting seedlings into a bigger pot and limits the damage to the delicate root system. Because the planter is already made of plant-based material, it will easily decompose and nutrients will be recycled back into the soil.
More DIY Science Activities on Science Now
Videos
Insect Flight | Capturing Takeoff & Flying at 3,200 FPS (YouTube)
From Adrian Smith in the Ant Lab: Takeoff and flight sequences of insects spanning 8 different taxonomic orders captured at 3,200 fps!
More Videos in the Video Library
For Educators
Online Workshops for Educators
Earn credit through free, online workshops that get you exploring nature in your own backyard. Each workshop contains videos, activities, and materials that you can step through at your own pace. Get ideas and resources to encourage your students to explore their nature neighborhoods!
More resources for educators teaching remotely
Got a Question? We Have Answers!
Ask a Naturalist
Ask a Naturalist Blog — From Black Widow Spiders to identifying a Buckeye, you’ll find answers to some of our most fascinating questions here!
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