Adult chaperones attend free of charge. Please allow students priority seating in sessions. If there is space available, you may join a session.

Learn the basics of magnetism and magnetic lift as you assemble your own magnetic levitation car, race it to the finish and take it home!

Learn the basics of magnetism and magnetic lift as you assemble your own magnetic levitation car, race it to the finish and take it home!

Students will be challenged to change the way they look at the world. Think and problem-solve like an inventor as we identify problems, brainstorm solutions and design inventions. Students will have the option to brainstorm together in groups or individually, but everyone will get to draw up their own blueprints and build their own prototype out of everyday items.

Join wacky professor Jerry Wenzel as he demonstrates science concepts in a fun and easy to understand way. You will be amazed at what appears to be magic but is really science. This will be an unforgettable science learning experience that will have you asking for more. Who knows, he may even shrink wrap you!

Come learn all about how streams move and change! Experience the hands-on learning of a stream table to investigate how stream channel and watershed landscape changes affect stream flow, water quality and stream biology.

Be informed and wowed by the wonder of the everyday world in the areas of light, sound, heat and energy. 

It’s slimy! It’s gross! It’s dirty! Some Minnesota animals have reputations they do not deserve. We will investigate why some animals are considered “unlovable” including snakes, spiders, skunks, porcupines and owls – oh my! Live animals will join us for this presentation.

Roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty! Through exciting hands-on experiments this session will activate your curiosity and expand your imagination.

Experiment with the components of simple circuits – power, loads and switches. Construct and wire a motor-powered fan to take home!

How do the smallest seeds grow into the tallest trees? Students will dissect a seed to see its different parts and learn about dispersal methods before designing their own seed to disperse.

Join us as we “travel” through Minnesota’s biomes and discover the relationships among plants and animals within each environment. Through participation, games and live-animal observations, engage with Bell Museum educators to gain a better understanding of local ecosystems. Learn some fascinating ways that animals have adapted to survive in their environments, hear from University of Minnesota researchers and leave the session with ways you can make positive effects on ecosystems near you.

Freshwater lamprey? Mooneye fish? What’s your dish?! We’ll have specimens, artifacts, historical items and stories galore to share the “secrets” of some of the critters common to, but often unnoticed, in the Minnesota River sandbars and mudflats. Hear about the discovery of a wooly mammoth femur right here in the Minnesota River Valley!

Get to know the universe that is available every clear night from your backyard. Learn how to find constellations and the legendary and fun stories about them. Discover what you see with binoculars, a small telescope and just your unaided eyes. A giant telescope will be available for “landgazing.” 

Science allows us to explore extremes, similarities and differences. Experience the tactile joy of stupendously stretchy slime and be amazed that the skin of snakes and reptiles are not slimy at all. In this session we will dig into science by making slime, learning its relationships to everyday polymers and still have enough time for a fun project about snakes and reptiles from your back yard to across the world!

Learn about all five groups of living reptiles, including all three of Minnesota’s threatened species. This fast-paced, lively program includes turtles, lizards, snakes and more! 

The Bug Show is a unique, hands-on session where you can examine and handle an assortment of live and preserved arthropods. Use as many of your senses as you feel comfortable to learn about the mysterious world of bugs! See some of the weirdest, wackiest bugs ever! Hear funny stories about bugs and learn about the many unique (and comical) ways insects protect themselves. A special bug snack will be available…if you’re willing to use your sense of taste! 

Use your birdbrain and your imagination to design and name a bird while you learn about birds.

Examine the structures of your eyes, from back to front. Explore through various experiments on peripheral vision, blind spots, afterimages, focal length, light response and more!

Explore STEM through examples of LEGO Robotics projects, "mathemagic," simulations, logic and trivia!

Join us for this energizing experience with static electricity. Learn about electricity by experiencing its effects, asking questions and creating your own experiments to try.

Learn the basics of magnetism and magnetic lift as you assemble your own magnetic levitation car, race it to the finish and take it home!

Students will be challenged to change the way they look at the world. Think and problem-solve like an inventor as we identify problems, brainstorm solutions and design inventions. Students will have the option to brainstorm together in groups or individually, but everyone will get to draw up their own blueprints and build their own prototype out of everyday items.

Join wacky professor Jerry Wenzel as he demonstrates science concepts in a fun and easy to understand way. You will be amazed at what appears to be magic but is really science. This will be an unforgettable science learning experience that will have you asking for more. Who knows, he may even shrink wrap you!

Come learn all about how streams move and change! Experience the hands-on learning of a stream table to investigate how stream channel and watershed landscape changes affect stream flow, water quality and stream biology.

Be informed and wowed by the wonder of the everyday world in the areas of light, sound, heat and energy. 

It’s slimy! It’s gross! It’s dirty! Some Minnesota animals have reputations they do not deserve. We will investigate why some animals are considered “unlovable” including snakes, spiders, skunks, porcupines and owls – oh my! Live animals will join us for this presentation.

Roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty! Through exciting hands-on experiments this session will activate your curiosity and expand your imagination.

Experiment with the components of simple circuits – power, loads and switches. Construct and wire a motor-powered fan to take home!

How do the smallest seeds grow into the tallest trees? Students will dissect a seed to see its different parts and learn about dispersal methods before designing their own seed to disperse.

Join us as we “travel” through Minnesota’s biomes and discover the relationships among plants and animals within each environment. Through participation, games and live-animal observations, engage with Bell Museum educators to gain a better understanding of local ecosystems. Learn some fascinating ways that animals have adapted to survive in their environments, hear from University of Minnesota researchers and leave the session with ways you can make positive effects on ecosystems near you.

Freshwater lamprey? Mooneye fish? What’s your dish?! We’ll have specimens, artifacts, historical items and stories galore to share the “secrets” of some of the critters common to, but often unnoticed, in the Minnesota River sandbars and mudflats. Hear about the discovery of a wooly mammoth femur right here in the Minnesota River Valley!

Get to know the universe that is available every clear night from your backyard. Learn how to find constellations and the legendary and fun stories about them. Discover what you see with binoculars, a small telescope and just your unaided eyes. A giant telescope will be available for “landgazing.” 

Science allows us to explore extremes, similarities and differences. Experience the tactile joy of stupendously stretchy slime and be amazed that the skin of snakes and reptiles are not slimy at all. In this session we will dig into science by making slime, learning its relationships to everyday polymers and still have enough time for a fun project about snakes and reptiles from your back yard to across the world!

Learn about all five groups of living reptiles, including all three of Minnesota’s threatened species. This fast-paced, lively program includes turtles, lizards, snakes and more! 

The Bug Show is a unique, hands-on session where you can examine and handle an assortment of live and preserved arthropods. Use as many of your senses as you feel comfortable to learn about the mysterious world of bugs! See some of the weirdest, wackiest bugs ever! Hear funny stories about bugs and learn about the many unique (and comical) ways insects protect themselves. A special bug snack will be available…if you’re willing to use your sense of taste! 

Use your birdbrain and your imagination to design and name a bird while you learn about birds.

Examine the structures of your eyes, from back to front. Explore through various experiments on peripheral vision, blind spots, afterimages, focal length, light response and more!

Explore STEM through examples of LEGO Robotics projects, "mathemagic," simulations, logic and trivia!

Join us for this energizing experience with static electricity. Learn about electricity by experiencing its effects, asking questions and creating your own experiments to try.

Learn the basics of magnetism and magnetic lift as you assemble your own magnetic levitation car, race it to the finish and take it home!

Students will be challenged to change the way they look at the world. Think and problem-solve like an inventor as we identify problems, brainstorm solutions and design inventions. Students will have the option to brainstorm together in groups or individually, but everyone will get to draw up their own blueprints and build their own prototype out of everyday items.

Join wacky professor Jerry Wenzel as he demonstrates science concepts in a fun and easy to understand way. You will be amazed at what appears to be magic but is really science. This will be an unforgettable science learning experience that will have you asking for more. Who knows, he may even shrink wrap you!

Come learn all about how streams move and change! Experience the hands-on learning of a stream table to investigate how stream channel and watershed landscape changes affect stream flow, water quality and stream biology.

Be informed and wowed by the wonder of the everyday world in the areas of light, sound, heat and energy. 

It’s slimy! It’s gross! It’s dirty! Some Minnesota animals have reputations they do not deserve. We will investigate why some animals are considered “unlovable” including snakes, spiders, skunks, porcupines and owls – oh my! Live animals will join us for this presentation.

Roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty! Through exciting hands-on experiments this session will activate your curiosity and expand your imagination.

Experiment with the components of simple circuits – power, loads and switches. Construct and wire a motor-powered fan to take home!

How do the smallest seeds grow into the tallest trees? Students will dissect a seed to see its different parts and learn about dispersal methods before designing their own seed to disperse.

Join us as we “travel” through Minnesota’s biomes and discover the relationships among plants and animals within each environment. Through participation, games and live-animal observations, engage with Bell Museum educators to gain a better understanding of local ecosystems. Learn some fascinating ways that animals have adapted to survive in their environments, hear from University of Minnesota researchers and leave the session with ways you can make positive effects on ecosystems near you.

Freshwater lamprey? Mooneye fish? What’s your dish?! We’ll have specimens, artifacts, historical items and stories galore to share the “secrets” of some of the critters common to, but often unnoticed, in the Minnesota River sandbars and mudflats. Hear about the discovery of a wooly mammoth femur right here in the Minnesota River Valley!

Get to know the universe that is available every clear night from your backyard. Learn how to find constellations and the legendary and fun stories about them. Discover what you see with binoculars, a small telescope and just your unaided eyes. A giant telescope will be available for “landgazing.” 

Science allows us to explore extremes, similarities and differences. Experience the tactile joy of stupendously stretchy slime and be amazed that the skin of snakes and reptiles are not slimy at all. In this session we will dig into science by making slime, learning its relationships to everyday polymers and still have enough time for a fun project about snakes and reptiles from your back yard to across the world!

Learn about all five groups of living reptiles, including all three of Minnesota’s threatened species. This fast-paced, lively program includes turtles, lizards, snakes and more! 

The Bug Show is a unique, hands-on session where you can examine and handle an assortment of live and preserved arthropods. Use as many of your senses as you feel comfortable to learn about the mysterious world of bugs! See some of the weirdest, wackiest bugs ever! Hear funny stories about bugs and learn about the many unique (and comical) ways insects protect themselves. A special bug snack will be available…if you’re willing to use your sense of taste! 

Use your birdbrain and your imagination to design and name a bird while you learn about birds.

Examine the structures of your eyes, from back to front. Explore through various experiments on peripheral vision, blind spots, afterimages, focal length, light response and more!

Explore STEM through examples of LEGO Robotics projects, "mathemagic," simulations, logic and trivia!

Join us for this energizing experience with static electricity. Learn about electricity by experiencing its effects, asking questions and creating your own experiments to try.