Natural History

The Naturalist Charles Darwin introduced his children to science and the world by having them observe the habits and travels of bees. Bees can be impressive architects, remarkable chemists, industrious farmers, and disciplined community workers. Their history is more ancient than dinosaurs. They appear in myths and folktales. They are essential to our planet's future. While learning all about the wonder of bees, build models to identify and celebrate their differences and all they contribute to our ecosystem.
 

What's the best way to understand a bug? Look at it carefully. Consider the parts of a bug. Six legs, eyes, abdomen, antennae, wings (or not), spiracles, color to hide (or not). Study models and pictures and construct your own bug to understand the names and purposes of the parts. 

Teachers can choose one bug for all to make, or choose for a mix and each student builds a different one. The choices are Bee, Butterfly, Ant, or Mosquito

All creatures live in a web of resources that support or suppress their growth. Learn about ecosystems and create a dynamic model of an insect’s or bird’s world. Suspend a magnetized creature on a pendulum. Add food and shelter (with magnets) that attract the creature and predators and hazards that repel it. The creature navigates a complex and fascinating path.

Construct a birdhouse of sustainably harvested pine and re-used plywood. Learn the measurements of adapting house to species. Learn to site house for temperature and security. Learn annual recycling. Learn sensible building choices for birds (and people) Or a birdfeeder.

Each child will build a display box to sort and test 7 rocks and minerals brought to the Museum from across Connecticut. Each sample will have different properties. Students will learn how rocks are formed as well as the categories and characteristics that distinguish each type. They will learn how to identify the rocks they will categorize. Every student will learn to use and will take home a handheld magnifying lens and mini light.

Models organize big ideas for scientists and students; they identify and test questions and are ideal tools for thinking. The Earth/Moon Rotation orrery shows our planetary movement around the sun and demonstrates lunar orbit and moon phases when illuminated with an accompanying light. It also helps explain why seasons take place, the relationship between the Sun, Earth, and Moon, and how proportionality can be understood in tangible terms.

In the first half of the 19th century, Connecticut joined the race to California and China in sleek, bold Clipper Ships. Construct a model clipper with a hold to export and import cargo that built Connecticut's industry and commerce. Discover why these tall ships lasted long into the steam age.

Students will have fun exploring why different bird beaks look the way they do. Why are some birds' beaks pointy or curved, long or short? The same questions hold for other animals and plants. Discuss bird beak adaptations and learn about Darwin’s discoveries through his observations of Finches during his expedition to the Galapagos Islands in 1835.

Build an armature with the beak of a bird at the end. Operate it in an optimal way that allows the beak you are given to work most effectively. Discover why it's shaped the way it is and experiment with picking up different materials with the beaks. Discover anything? Adaptation happens when the need arises for survival.
There are 4 different sets of beaks: (Each student builds one that we pass out randomly)

Seed Eaters
Fruit Eaters
Insect Eaters
Raptors

Feeders influence the world of birds. You must understand the habits and needs of the birds you wish to help. Which seeds are most nutritious? Which bird likes which seed? Are there things that I should not serve? Where should I locate the feeder?

So many birds, so many rules you need to understand.

Build a Birdfeeder that you can hang in your backyard, in a park, or on a balcony. Learn how to maintain it and ensure optimal functioning. Decorate your construction to personalize it.