July & August 2021, Decatur: Cook Museum of Natural History Offerings

 

Cook Museum of Natural Science

133 4th Ave NEDecatur, AL 35601-2601

Forces of Nature Fun Day When: Saturday, July 24 from 10 am - 3 pm Cost: FREE for Members* or with General Admission The natural world is always changing. Natural disasters like tornados, volcanic eruptions, storms, and erosion can leave destruction in their wake. But did you know that even though these extreme events wreak havoc on nature, they also open up opportunities for new life?  Join us for Forces of Nature Fun Day and take part in a variety of hands-on activity and craft stations. Don’t miss a special presentation from News 19 Chief Meteorologist Jason Simpson on tornadoes!

*Programs that are FREE for Members still require the redemption of FREE Member timed-entry tickets.

Entomologist for a Day When: Friday, July 30 & Monday, August 2 from 8 am - 3 pm Cost: $140 (+ tax) per participant, per day, $15 Member Discount Grade Level: 4th - 8th Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an entomologist or to work at the Cook Museum of Natural Science? What would you have to know? What would you get to do? Experience behind the scenes tours, entomologist classes, independent workstations, and even a grasshopper dissection! Participants will go outside to learn insect collection methods and take home an insect they pinned. Lunch and a t-shirt included. The same activities will be offered on both days.   Insect Pinning Workshop When: Saturday, August 7 at 10:30 am and Saturday, August 21 at 10 am & Noon Cost: $30 (+ tax) per kit, $5 Member Discount *For ages 12 and older Come join us at the Cook Museum for a hands-on insect pinning workshop! This workshop is for all pinning levels. Participants will learn insect orders & anatomy, how to ethically collect & preserve insects, and learn the scientific pinning & labeling methods. Each participant will take home a box of pinned insects, including a bee from the Museum’s colony. The August 7th workshop will include species that were pinned in previous workshops (atlas moth and longhorn beetle). Children 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Admission to the Exhibits is not included.

There are two ways to register for camps & workshops: in person at the Guest Services desk in the Museum lobby or contact the Group Sales department during regular weekday business hours at groups@cookmuseum.org or (256) 898-6312.

Sunday: Sunny Sundays: Animal Ambassadors in the Courtyard When: Sunday, July 25 at 1 pm Cost: FREE for Members* or with General Admission Come meet one of the Museum’s Animal Ambassadors while the animal enjoys the sun outside! You’ll get an up-close view of animals as they bask in the sun and can chat with a Museum Animal Caretaker to learn more fun facts about the animal. This very short outdoor event is weather dependent. Please note that guests will not be able to touch the animals.

Monday: Craft & Coloring Summer Series When: Monday, July 26 from 1:30 - 3:30 pm Cost: FREE for Members* or with General Admission Need a break from the summer heat and looking for something fun to do? Stay cool at the Cook Museum with a children’s craft and coloring activity Monday afternoon.

Tuesday: Diamondback Terrapin Feeding When: Tuesday, July 27 at 10 am Cost: FREE for Members* or with General Admission Join us for a Diamondback Terrapin Feeding Tuesday at 10 am.  Be sure to bring any questions you may have for a brief Q&A time with Animal Care following the feed. Live Animal Presentation When: Tuesday, July 27 at 2 pm Cost: FREE for Members* or with General Admission Join us for this 20-30 minute meet & greet presentation with some of the Museum’s live Animal Ambassadors. Animals included will depend on availability, but could be a chuckwalla, an eastern indigo snake, a Mexican alligator lizard, a scorpion, or one of the other live animals from the Museum. Guests will have the opportunity to ask the Museum staff questions. Please note that guests will not be able to touch the animals.

Wednesday: Oceans Tank Feeding When: Wednesday, July 28 at 3:30 pm Cost: FREE for Members* or with General Admission Join us for an Oceans Tank Feeding for the fish Wednesday at 3:30 pm. Be sure to bring any questions you may have for a brief Q&A time with Animal Care following the feed. Wetlands Collectable Cards When: Wednesday July 28 from 9 am - 5 pm Cost: FREE for Members* or with General Admission Visit the Gallery Explainers in the Museum Exhibits to collect a complete set of 6 Wetlands Animal Collectable Cards! These cards are only available at the Cook Museum and each card features a unique animal that lives in wetlands ecosystems. From birds to mammals to fish, learn what animals call wetlands home! Available while supplies last. Eastern Indigo Snake Q&A with Animal Care When: Wednesday, July 28 at 2 pm Cost: FREE for Members* or with General Admission North America's largest species of native snake can be found right here in Alabama! Come learn about the eastern indigo snake and the longleaf pine ecosystem in this brief Question and Answer session with Animal Care.

Fridays: Stories in the Store When: Fridays in July at 9:30 am July 23 & July 30 Cost: FREE Join us for Stories in the Store where we will read a couple of stories each Friday morning in July.  Children will be able to take an active role in the story telling. Come early to choose your favorite stool! Story time will begin at 9:30 am outside of the Museum Store. New stories will be read each Friday. Admissions to the Exhibits is not included.

Saturday: Member Appreciation Day! When: Saturday, July 31 from 9:30 am - 3 pm Cost: FREE for Members* Join us for the annual Member Appreciation Day at the Cook Museum. This day is all about you the Member; come enjoy a day of Member-Only perks including Live Animal Presentations, The Wonder of Animals: Foxes Video, activity/craft stations, Member buttons, token gifts (while supplies last), light snacks, and Double Discounts in the Museum Store! Not yet a Member? No Problem! Join now to be a part of this Member-Only event. Color Crazy! Nature’s Nanoparticles Science on the Spot When: Saturday, July 31 at 12:30 pm Cost: FREE for Members* or with General Admission What are very, very, very small but produce beautiful colors? Nanoparticles! Found throughout nature, these tiny particles interact differently with light than larger objects do, resulting in iridescence that reflects from shells, wings, and other small surfaces. Learn how nanoparticles work, how they differ from pigments found in nature, and what type of creatures depend on nanoparticles to survive.

*Programs that are FREE for Members still require the redemption of FREE Member timed-entry tickets.