Let’s find out the important role the animals that live in our spring ponds play in our ecosystem. We’ll be taking a close-up look at the attributes that make a vernal pool habitable for these interesting animals. We’ll learn about the forest food chain and why these pools are so important. Let’s see why amphibians…

Did you know that a red wiggler worm will comsume half of it's body weight in food scraps every day? Getting worms to work for you is a great way to keep food waste out of the landfills and create nutritious compost for your plants. Come and dig into the science of worms and worm…

Join us while we welcome State Forester James Rassman, who will be speaking about all the benefits a tree provides, from roots and fungi to providing habitat for animals, to releasing oxygen to our atmosphere. Let's learn about the many benefits our trees provide us and the world around us! This will be an indoor…

Winter can create some survival difficulties for the animals of our area. In this program we’ll be creating our own winter habitats for a few of our winter residents including Black Bears, Snakes and Beavers. We’ll be covering what these three animals will need in their habitats to survive such as food, water and shelter.…

Enjoy getting together with friends to relax and enjoy some crafting and snack foods. We'll be using natural materials to create gifts to bring home. This is an annual event and always a huge hit. Reserve your spot soon!

The museum will be welcoming Justin Barrett of the Nasketucket Bird Club and Manomet Bird Observatory. We'll be hearing a little about the birds that have migrated in for the season as well as some of our regular backyard birds and how they survive the winter months. Please join us to learn how we can…

Let's learn about streams, marshes and other important resource areas with Doug Guay-Lee, Town of Marion Conservation Commission scientist. We'll be learning about and viewing some of the animals and plants that live in our wetlands. We'll also be creating some wetland habitats and conducting other hands-on experiments that may be messy so please dress…

What do Elsa and insects have in common? The cold doesn’t bother them anyway. New England winters are a harsh and deadly environment. For a cold-blooded animal, such as an insect, ice, snow, and freezing temperatures could spell doom. But, insects follow one rule: adapt. Over millions of years, they have evolved an array of…

Given that trip 1 to Bird Island filled so quickly the Marion Harbormaster has kindly allowed us to schedule a second trip for June 5th. Hope you can join us for this fun and informative trip. Each trip is limited to 12 so register early.

Set off on a journey to Ram Island, a gem within Sippican Harbor known for its diverse and unique ecosystems. Thanks to the generosity of Michael and Hannah Moore, we have a special opportunity to explore this fascinating island. This additional day has been generously offered Michael and Hannah Moore to accommodate students that were…

Set off on a journey to Ram Island, a gem within Sippican Harbor known for its diverse and unique ecosystems. Thanks to the generosity of Michael and Hannah Moore, we have a special opportunity to explore this fascinating island. What you’ll experience: Diverse Ecosystems: Investigate the island’s salt marshes, rocky intertidal shoreline, and mud flats…

Set off on a sought-after journey to Bird Island, renowned for its vibrant bird life. This program, a favorite among after school science and nature enthusiasts, offers an exceptional opportunity to observe diverse bird species in their natural habitat. What to expect on this popular trip: Feathered Friends: Encounter the seasonal arrival of Common terns,…

Prepare for an exhilarating experience with “ROCKET SCIENCE!” Led by rocketry enthusiast Mike Cronin, this program offers a hands-on introduction to the principles of propulsion and lift. We've filled our first rocket program and Mike has generously offered a second date for those who weren't able to register. What kind of blast to anticipate: Build…

Prepare for an exhilarating experience with “ROCKET SCIENCE!” Led by rocketry enthusiast Mike Cronin, this program offers a hands-on introduction to the principles of propulsion and lift. What kind of blast to anticipate: Build and Launch Your Rocket: Each child receives a rocket kit with a motor for a personal building, decorating and launching experience.…

Join us on a botanical journey with “Botanical Chronicles: Herbarium 101.” Discover the fascinating world of herbaria, where preserved plant specimens become a window to the past and a treasure for the future. What you’ll be impressed by: Herbarium Significance: Explore how herbaria preserve a historical record of change in vegetation over time, offering invaluable…

Did you know that the small pools you find in the woods, the ones that usually dry up by late summer, start the whole forest food chain?! Dive into the fascinating world of wetland amphibians and their vital role in the forest ecosystem with our interactive program. What we’ll surface: Habitat Exploration: Uncover the secrets…

Join us for a fascinating exploration of bird nests and eggs at the museum! This hands-on program delves into our unique collection, offering a close-up view of these natural wonders. What you’ll experience: Nest Examination: Investigate real bird nests from our collection and understand the intricacies of their construction. Creative Nest Building: Using a variety…

Join us for a stellar adventure in the Universe! Embark on an exciting space odyssey with “Cosmic Explorations: Astronomy 101,” led by amateur astronomer Peter Marshall. What’s in store: Universe Unveiled: Venture through the immense universe, exploring the distances to planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies. Celestial Wonders: Be captivated by the beauty and mysteries of…

Embark on an enlightening journey with our “Terrapin Guardians” program, led by the committed Deb Ewing. Explore the essential efforts to protect the Diamondback Terrapin, a species facing significant threats. What you’ll learn: Conservation in Action: Understand the impactful work done by Deb Ewing and the New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance (NECWA) in safeguarding these…

Join us for an exciting exploration into the world of owls and their unique eating habits! Unlike other birds, owls swallow their prey whole because they lack teeth for chewing. Our Owl Pellet Dissection program provides a fascinating insight into these nocturnal predators. Recommended for grades 2-6. What you’ll discover: Owl Dining Secrets: Learn how…

Let's have fun at our annual holiday party. We'll be making gifts from natural and recycled materials. As usual we will be spread out over several tables for a variety of crafts and activities. Let's get together and have fun making creative projects while enjoying some snacks and beverages.

While investigating museum specimens we'll learn a little about the whales that visit our coast each year. Some filter their food and some use their teeth for larger prey. Where do they migrate from when they enter our waters in spring and where do they go when the weather gets too cold? What are their…

What is a watershed? We will be using the museum’s watershed table to experiment how a watershed reacts to certain conditions. We will be using our creativity and hands on experiments to find the answers to some of our most common issues like pollution, erosion, flooding, sea level rise and more. Please dress to get…

Let's investigate how cranberry bogs were created from glacial times to now. We will be creating our own bog-in-a-cup to bring home.

November 8th - AN INTRODUCTION TO Fall FORESTS with state forester Jim Rassman. We will learn about different types of local trees, how to tell how old a tree is, and the benefits that trees and forests provide to us all. If the weather is nice, we will get to meet a few trees that…

Deb Ewing oversees a diamondback terrapin conservation area in Marion and has partnered with the New England Coastal Wildlife alliance to protect Diamondback Terrapins. She will be sharing information regarding the efforts she and others have made to protect this threatened species. She has created a "turtle garden" on conservation land in Marion and joined…

Friday afternoon, September 29 Let’s learn a little about the history of the Bird Island Lighthouse. The historic structures and hear a ghost story involving the first lighthouse keeper and his wife. We will be meeting at the Harbormaster’s office at Island Wharf at 3:30. Sippican School parents may request the museum staff to retrieve…

Ram Island is situated within Sippican Harbor and has some unique ecosystems for us to explore. Michael and Hannah Moore have kindly invited our group to explore their saltmarshes, rocky intertidal shoreline, mud flats (depending on tide) and several Osprey nests. This will be a longer trip than usual, so please plan to pick up…

Ram Island is situated within Sippican Harbor and has some unique ecosystems for us to explore. Michael and Hannah Moore have kindly invited our group to explore their saltmarshes, rocky intertidal shoreline, mud flats (depending on tide) and several Osprey nests. This will be a longer trip than usual, so please plan to pick up…

Join us while learning about propulsion and lift with Mike Cronin. Each child will have his/her own rocket with motor to assemble and launch. The cost for this program is $20 per participant. Space is limited to 12 children. The program is limited to children ages 6 and older, on a first-come, first-served basis. Parent…

Join us while learning about propulsion and lift with Mike Cronin. Each child will have his/her own rocket with motor to assemble and launch. The cost for this program is $20 per participant. Space is limited to 12 children. The program is limited to children ages 6 and older, on a first-come, first-served basis. Parent…

Our first trip filled immediately. We've been allowed to schedule one more but tickets will go fast. Let's learn about our feathered arrivals on Bird Island. We will see Common terns and if we're lucky the endangered Roseate tern. Bird Island provides a very special habitat for these animals as well as Oystercatchers and other…

Let's learn about our feathered arrivals on Bird Island. We will see Common terns and if we're lucky the endangered Roseate tern. Bird Island provides a very special habitat for these animals as well as Oystercatchers and other birds who need this island for a safe nesting site. We will be taking a boat trip,…

Insects are the “little ones who run our world” - Renowned entomologist Edward O. Wilson. Insects and spiders make up about 77% of all animal species on the plant. There are 300-400 species of silverfish, but only 15 species goldfish. There are more species of bees than birds. And, the number of species of moths…

When you introduce a typical piece of clothing made of cotton or linen to a colored dye, fiber reactive dyes attach to cellulose fibers using a covalent bond. The dye molecule actually becomes a part of the t-shirt cellulose molecule. That being said this is a wonderful opportunity to mix science and creativity to create…

Let's take a look at these important local habitats and how they help us. We will be conducting several hands on experiments involving water, soils, and taking a close look at animals that start the woodland food chain. Please dress to make a mess!

Swing by MNHM for pendulum painting as we accelerate our studies of gravity as a force of creativity. After the matter of the splatter, we’ll have one more surprise project — so bring a smock and get ready to rock. About the instructor: MNHM Board Member and lifelong artist, Karen Alves has taught at Bridgewater…

We will take a look at how you can begin your own collections. We will cover aspects such as identifying your specimen, correctly labelling, and storage. We will also take a quick tour of some of the Marion Natural History Museum's specimens from its beginnings in 1872 to recent donations. Feel free to bring in…

Students will explore local birds that overwinter in Massachusetts. They will be given model birds to identify and information about their overwintering behaviors and diet. Students will have to determine what would be the best food source for their bird based on options provided: mixed seed, sunflower seeds, acorns, etc. and then will be given…

Join our annual holiday craft party!  We will be celebrating the holidays by making gifts and crafts from natural and recycled materials. Join us for this annual get-together and have fun making crafts, being with friends, and enjoying some snacks to celebrate the end of the year.

What is an owl pellet? How is it formed? What is in it?  Let’s use our magnifiers and dissecting microscopes to take a close look at what is in these interesting owl castings. Program is limited to 8 participants, grades 3-6

November 30, 2022 – Introduction to Forestry. Join Service Forester Jim Rassman as we learn about the trees of Massachusetts.  We will learn about different types of local trees, how to tell how old a tree is, and the benefits that trees and forest provide to us all.  If the weather is nice, we will…

Sea Turtle T.L.C. with Sara Sperber, Operations and Programs Coordinator, National Marine Life Center. How do you take care of a sick sea turtle?  Students will learn about sea turtle strandings, rehabilitation, and release. This program will focus on the National Marine Life Center and their mission of caring for stranded marine animals, focusing on…

  Backyard Archaeology with Jim Pierson. In celebration of Archaeology Month we will be looking at the basics for finding artifacts in your own backyard. We will be practicing techniques for exploring the remains of the past that you would normally never notice. Grades 3-6th only, program limited to no more than 12.