Free events at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, at 11 West Jones Street in Raleigh, always offers free admission, but you might not be aware of the free events, beyond the exhibits, that it offers. You can view all their events here. Some are free and some have fees associated with them. Here are a few upcoming free events. Make sure to check the location. Also, click on the links for more details, including age ranges and registration information.

Free events at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

NATURE PLAY DAYS
Tuesdays
10:00am – 12:00pm
Prairie Ridge
Come out and play! The Nature PlaySpace will be stocked with extra special materials and supplies and a Museum play facilitator will be present to help you play your way. Supplies may vary from week to week, but include fun things like fort-building equipment, puppets and costumes, bubbles, paint, giant blocks, and more.

This is an informal, drop in event. Staff and supplies will be available from 10:00-12:00. Come dressed for the weather and ready to get messy! Everyone is welcome at the Nature PlaySpace, but it has been designed especially for kids 7 and younger.

HUMMINGBIRD BANDING DEMONSTRATION
Saturday, July 22, 2017
9:00am – 1:00pm
Prairie Ridge
Scientists use coded bands to tell individual birds apart and track their movements. Bird banding sessions involve catching birds in nets, placing a metal bracelet on a leg, and recording some information about the health and status of the bird before releasing it back into its habitat. Join us at Prairie Ridge to observe how banding works for tiny hummingbirds! We’ll have hummingbird banding expert Susan Campbell on hand to demonstrate how hummingbirds are captured, banded, and processed before release. Get an up close look at some of our most energetic and charismatic birds!

This program will take place entirely outdoors. Wear closed toed shoes and be prepared for the weather. A water bottle and long pants are recommended.

For best viewing, plan to stop by near the start of the session. Please note, however, that Prairie Ridge opens at 9AM and the gate to the road will remain closed until shortly before we open.

Questions? Contact Chris Goforth at chris.goforth@naturalsciences.org.

MOTHS AT NIGHT
8:30pm Saturday, July 22, 2017 – 12:00am Sunday, July 23, 2017
Prairie Ridge

Celebrate National Moth Week with the Museum at Prairie Ridge! Enjoy a brief orientation in the outdoor classroom, then head out to our blacklights and baits to see what’s out and about throughout the night. Bring a flashlight, a camera (if you have one), and your moth questions. We’ll have activities for kids and upload photos of the moths that we see to Natural North Carolina or other citizen science projects so that our data can help scientists learn more about the species in our area. Please contact Chris Goforth at chris.goforth@naturalsciences.org or 919.707.8882 for more information.

WALK THROUGH THE SEASONS
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
9:00am – 10:30am
Prairie Ridge
Discover what time it is in nature! Explore the native plant garden, prairie, and lowland arboretum as you take a leisurely 1-mile walk with a Museum naturalist through our 45-acre Prairie Ridge Ecostation. All trails are natural with some uneven surfaces and small hills. Off-road strollers should be fine on the trails. Register for one walk or more; every walk is different. For more information and to register, please contact Cathy Fergen at cathy.fergen@naturalsciences.org.

SCIENCE CAFE: WHEN MICE ARE MEN
Thursday, July 27, 2017
7:00pm – 8:30pm
Downtown Raleigh
Men and women are different. That’s obvious. In medicine, we know that men and women experience illness differently. They respond to drugs differently. So, why do scientists primarily study males when developing treatments for both sexes? University of North Carolina surgeon scientist Melina Kibbe, MD, is a nationally recognized advocate for sex equity throughout the biomedical research pipeline: from cell research to human clinical trials. Her advocacy around this issue has resulted in policy changes from the National Institute of Health, the Government Accountability Organization, and the Food and Drug Administration.

SCIENCE TRIVIA
Thursday, August 03, 2017
7:00pm – 8:30pm
Downtown Raleigh
What’s cooler than absolute zero? Find out at Science Trivia nights at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, where questions feature a mix of science facts, current news, pop culture and scientific discoveries. Held in the Daily Planet Cafe the first Thursday of each month, this is a great opportunity to mingle with friends, compete for prizes and bragging rights … and perhaps even learn something cool.

BUTTERFLY WALK
Saturday, August 12, 2017
1:00pm – 4:00pm
Prairie Ridge
Join us at Prairie Ridge as we discover butterflies! Our naturalists will lead you on a tour of the garden and prairie areas of Prairie Ridge to look for these spectacular insects. You will learn how to identify common butterfly species found in the Raleigh area, enjoy a walk around the grounds at Prairie Ridge, and learn how you can help scientists discover more about butterflies by participating in citizen science projects. Bring your camera and binoculars (if you have them) and your enthusiasm for butterflies.

For more information or to register, please contact Chris Goforth at chris.goforth@naturalsciences.org or 919.707.8882. Requirements: Pre-registration required; Ages 10+; children under 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult