Posted October 28, 2021 by Dan Moser
Free admission, selfies with Archie, planetarium shows and a scavenger hunt are just some of the activities planned at the University of Nebraska State Museum’s 150th birthday party on Nov. 4. The museum is continuing its birthday year celebration as part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Nebraska Research Days.
Events are planned at Morrill Hall from 2-5 p.m. Admission is free during those hours for all UNL faculty, staff and their families and the public. Cookies and other refreshments will be served.
Activities will include:
- A “road trip through time” scavenger hunt, with prize winners announced at the top of the hour from 3-5 p.m.
- Selfies with Archie. Share your shots on social media to be entered in a drawing for free admission and museum store and birthday party discounts.
- Reopening of the Mueller Planetarium, which has been closed since the start of the pandemic, with family-friendly shows (ages 3 and up) at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- The newest exhibit: “Hidden Prairie: Exploring Life in One Square Meter,” which opened Oct. 16. The exhibit allows visitors to explore the biodiversity that exists on the prairies throughout all four seasons.
- Visible Lab “Meet a Scientist,” which will allow guests to watch the preparation of scientific specimens and ask questions about why research collections matter.
Researchers are encouraged to attend the birthday celebration for ideas on how to engage the museum and its staff in their work. Activities for researchers, from 2-4 p.m., include:
- Visit the fourth-floor Visible Lab to talk to museum staff about ways to engage the public as a Visible Lab scientist.
- Learn how to expand digital reach to school-age audiences with Science Chats and other virtual programs by visiting with Annie Mumgaard, virtual learning coordinator. Programs reached more than 8,000 children during the pandemic.
- Visit with Molly Bloom, volunteer and community coordinator, to discuss ideas for connecting with and supporting the community with research and instructional activities.
- Tour the fourth-floor Cherish Nebraska and Hidden Prairie exhibits and visit with Angie Fox, head of exhibits, from 2:30-4 p.m. to imagine the possibilities when faculty partner with the museum.
The university’s Nebraska Research Days run November 1-5.
