Presented by Brian Butler of Oxbow Associates Why are these animals called “box” turtles? What do they eat and what do they need to survive? And why are they endangered? Let’s learn a little something about our local turtle population and how we can protect them. Brian will be bringing many hands-on items to explore…

Presented by: Blake Dinius of Plymouth County Extension Insects and spiders make up about 77% of all animal species on the planet. Let’s take a closer look into our own backyards. We’ll find a mysterious world just waiting to be discovered. Want to learn more about insects and the myriad ways that insects impact your…

Presented by Isaac Perry, Marion Harbormaster We will be taking a short boat trip to view our returning water birds. Let’s see if we can find an Osprey, Cormorants, and hopefully some Common and Roseate Terns. Please plan to bring your life jacket and dress ready to get a little wet. Pick up will be…

Presented by Mike Cronin, Museum Board Member Join us while learning about propulsion and lift with Mike Cronin. Each child will pick up his/her own rocket kit along with an instructional video in advance of the lift off event, and the instructor will be available to help participants with questions regarding assembly. The cost for…

Seashore Netting September 29 We will be walking down to the Marion Harbormaster’s beach to use the large seining net and see what animals are still in the harbor.  Watershoes are strongly recommended and please wear appropriate clothing. We WILL be getting wet! (Pick up will be at the Harbormasters office). *If you'd like to…

Introduction to Forestry with MA state forester James Rassman October 6 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…

Fall Bird Migration! with Justin Barrett, President of the Nasketucket Bird Club October 20 Bird migration is one of the most harrowing feats a bird can accomplish! We’ll be learning about how and why so many birds migrate every year, and some of the dangers that come along with it. We’ll also be exploring the…

NECWA Terrapin and Sunfish Rescue with Carol “Krill” Carson, founder and president of New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance November 3 Each late summer and fall, ocean sunfish strand along the shores of Cape Cod. Many are trying to navigate their way south to warmer wintering areas. NECWA is the only organization that attempts to save…

Shed Hunting 101 November 17 Shed hunting is the pursuit of finding antlers that have been naturally shed by any antler-bearing mammal such as moose, caribou, elk and deer. These dropped antlers are commonly referred to as "sheds" or "shed antlers." Shed hunting is a great opportunity to get outdoors, work your legs, and spend…

Holiday Party December 15 Let’s have fun together designing gifts with natural and recycled craft materials. Bring your unique artistic talents and let’s make some gifts for the holidays. Depending on health restrictions at that time we will be offering snacks and drinks to fuel your creative efforts.   *If you'd like to register for…

Join us at the MNHM to learn about the Great Backyard Bird Count Let's discover how to participate in this worldwide citizen effort. Nasketucket Bird Club President Justin Barrett will show us techniques to identify birds and how to log your birds.  We will also learn how to record your findings online and see what…

March 2 – Monarchs. A lifelong monarch enthusiast, Maggie Payne will cover the life cycle of the monarch butterfly and the amazing journey that these butterflies take from New England to Mexico every year. Learn about how you can make your yard a monarch habitat to do your part to help in their population recovery.…

Come learn about fossils and fossil hunting. Amateur Paleontologist Jim Pierson will help us explore this unique world and we'll learn how to start looking for our own T-Rex fossils. Jim will be bringing in examples of his own collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils from around the world to examine and we will also…

Vernal pools provide a safe place for many amphibians that cannot survive in other habitats to reach adulthood. Let’s study these fascinating and important nurseries of the forest. We will be examining specimens from a local pool and take a close look at some of the plants and animals that rely on this important habitat,…

April 27 - Bird Island.  Let’s go visit Bird Island with the Marion Harbormaster’s office. We will visit the nesting habitat and examine the life history of some of the world’s rarest birds. This program fills very fast so please register early! Program is limited to 12 students. Pick up will be at the Harbormaster's…

We had so many families wanting to register their children for this one that Isaac agreed to a second date the following day.  Please register quickly in case this date fills too.

May 11 - Join us after school where we’ll explore the synergy of nature and art. Plan to roll up your sleeves, have fun and get creative! Artist and graphic designer Karen Alves will be leading this program.

This IS rocket science! Join us while learning about propulsion and lift with Mike Cronin. Each child will have his/her own rocket with motor to assemble and set off. The cost for this program is $20 per participant. Submit payment to Marion Natural History Museum. Space is limited to 12 children, ages 6 and up,…

This IS rocket science! Join us while learning about propulsion and lift with Mike Cronin. Each child will have his/her own rocket with motor to assemble and set off. The cost for this program is $20 per participant. Submit payment to Marion Natural History Museum. Space is limited to 12 children, ages 6 and up,…

Exploring 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…

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…

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…

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…

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!

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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.

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…

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 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…

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…

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 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…