Thursday, April 12, 2007

Introducing Inga - Museum of Science Library Manager

Teachers and fellow librarians, I would like to introduce you to Inga Laurila, the Library Manager at the Lyman Library and Educator Resource Center. Inga manages an extensive collection of books and professional resources that pertain to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and learning Materials.) She wants you to know that these resources are available to educators at no cost, they are FREE to borrow! In addition, the Museum of Science will pay for your parking during your visit to the library and museum. Check out some materials, tour the museum and have your parking paid for!

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Field Trips at Museum of Science

Did you know that field trips can be built around a private 45-minute class taught by a staff member at the Museum of Science? Do any of these sound interesting to you?

Grade 1
There is a program called "Dinosaur Discoveries" that would be a nice supplement to the first grade science curriculum in Waltham. "Students explore real fossils and models, and walk in the footprints of a dinosaur to discover how animals that lived long ago may have looked and acted. Examples of activities: Students will participate in a mock paleontological dig, using real tools to model how paleontologists look for fossils. Students will use thier senses to observe and identify real fossil remains from an animal that lived long ago. Available: first and third Wednesday and Thursday of each month, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Space is limited to 22 children. Please call Science Central at 617-723-2500 for more information.

Grade 2 & 3
There is also a private program called "Animal Discoveries" that sounds as if it would compliment the 2nd and 3rd grade studies of animals. "In addition to comparing animals based on the form and function of their skeletons and outer coverings, students will observe a live Museum animal in action. Examples of Activities: Students will get to practice classification and observation skills in order to identify the bones of a unknown animals using a real human skeleton for clues. Students will use their senses to explore how animals' features help them to live in their environments. Live animals will be used throughout the class to emphasize key educational topics that are addressed. Available: Second and fourth Wednesday and Thursday of each month, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Space is limited to 22 children. Please call Science Central at 617-723-2500 for more information.

Grade 5
Photosynthesis: The Making of a Tree
"Through a series of hands-on experiments using live plants, students will learn how plants use water and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen and sugar. Available: Tuesdays, February - June, 2007. 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m."

Print a Museum of Science Program Script

Did you know that it is possible to read/print the script of a program like "Destination Moon" showing at the Museum of Science, Boston? This is helpful when preparing a group of students to visit the museum to watch a presentation. The "Script" link for "Destination Moon"is located under Educator Resources, Field Trip Resources with an annotation of the program and is called DESTINATION MOON final.doc