Join us for a creepy-crawly adventure as we learn all about spider webs! Preschoolers will discover how spiders spin their sticky traps, explore the different kinds of webs they make, and work together to create a giant class spider web. We'll even “catch” some pretend insects to see how webs really work! Perfect for curious little ones who love nature and hands-on fun!

Fossils can be fascinating to look at and wonder about. But what makes a fossil a fossil? How do fossils form and how do we know how old they are? How do Earth scientists use fossils to figure out what the ancient world in the geologic past was like? What do fossils tell us about how life has evolved over time? Could it be that we humans have inherited some of our body parts from ancient life forms, like fish, amphibians, and reptiles? In this camp, we will answer all of these questions and more, including the mass extinctions that have occurred in the geologic past. Campers will also learn about the best places to look for and collect fossil specimens in the Kansas City Metro and will learn how to identify them.

For elementary school ages

Drop-off for camps is from 8:00-8:20 and pick-up is from 3:30-4:00.  

$100 Non-Members

$90 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you)

Parents often joke that Halloween candy will rot your teeth, but how true is this claim? Can we test to see how acidic some of our favorite candies are? In this hands-on activity, JAMmers will learn aspects of science by conducting experiments on candies.  The session will end with making glow-in-the-dark slime.

Join us for a creepy-crawly adventure as we learn all about spider webs! Preschoolers will discover how spiders spin their sticky traps, explore the different kinds of webs they make, and work together to create a giant class spider web. We'll even “catch” some pretend insects to see how webs really work! Perfect for curious little ones who love nature and hands-on fun!

Fossils can be fascinating to look at and wonder about. But what makes a fossil a fossil? How do fossils form and how do we know how old they are? How do Earth scientists use fossils to figure out what the ancient world in the geologic past was like? What do fossils tell us about how life has evolved over time? Could it be that we humans have inherited some of our body parts from ancient life forms, like fish, amphibians, and reptiles? In this camp, we will answer all of these questions and more, including the mass extinctions that have occurred in the geologic past. Campers will also learn about the best places to look for and collect fossil specimens in the Kansas City Metro and will learn how to identify them.

For elementary school ages

Drop-off for camps is from 8:00-8:20 and pick-up is from 3:30-4:00.  

$100 Non-Members

$90 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you)

Join us for a creepy-crawly adventure as we learn all about spider webs! Preschoolers will discover how spiders spin their sticky traps, explore the different kinds of webs they make, and work together to create a giant class spider web. We'll even “catch” some pretend insects to see how webs really work! Perfect for curious little ones who love nature and hands-on fun!

Parents often joke that Halloween candy will rot your teeth, but how true is this claim? Can we test to see how acidic some of our favorite candies are? In this hands-on activity, JAMmers will learn aspects of science by conducting experiments on candies.  The session will end with making glow-in-the-dark slime.

Join us at the Museum at Prairiefire for SciFun Saturday: National Fossil Day on Saturday, October 11th from 1–4PM! Young explorers and curious minds of all ages are invited to dig into the fascinating world of paleontology. Learn how fossils form and get hands-on as you make your own fossil to take home! This free event is perfect for families and fossil fanatics alike. Come discover ancient life and uncover the past—one layer at a time!

Get ready to explore the science of light and shadow! In this playful, hands-on session, preschoolers will discover how shadows are made, experiment with different objects, and even create their own shadow shapes. It's a fun and sneaky way to learn all about how light works!

You’ve probably learned about the colors that make up a rainbow, but do you know how those colors appear in the first place? To answer this question, we’ll replicate one of the most famous scientific experiments in history, performed by perhaps one of the most famous scientists in history. Of course, knowing the science of how color works means you can be creative and come up with all kinds of uses for color. You can make your own color pigments from rocks, separate colors from candy, understand why some color combinations look better to our eyes than others, even learn why different colors can put you in different moods, and so much more!

For elementary school ages

Drop-off for camps is from 8:00-8:20 and pick-up is from 3:30-4:00.  

$50 Non-Members

$40 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you)

Dome building are loved for their unique looks, but why would one build using a dome over a standard design? What kinds of building are generally built using domes, and what are their benefits? In this hands-on activity, JAMmers build a geodesic dome out of gumdrops or candy corn and toothpicks.

Get ready to explore the science of light and shadow! In this playful, hands-on session, preschoolers will discover how shadows are made, experiment with different objects, and even create their own shadow shapes. It's a fun and sneaky way to learn all about how light works!

The Earth Shook. The Ocean Answered.

On July 29, an 8.8-magnitude earthquake ripped through the seafloor off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, unleashing tsunami warnings across the Pacific — reaching as far south as Santiago, Chile. It stands as the largest earthquake ever recorded in human history.

What forces unleashed such unimaginable power beneath our feet? And more importantly — could it happen again?

Join us for an eye-opening presentation with renowned geologist Dr. Allen Macfarlane as he takes us deep inside the science, the mystery, and the future of our restless planet.

Don’t miss this unforgettable journey into the Earth’s most powerful forces.

Dr. Macfarlane received his undergraduate degree in geological engineering from the Colorado School of Mines in 1970. Rather than following a career in industry, Allen attended the University of Northern Colorado to complete the education coursework needed to become a middle school science teacher. His career in teaching was postponed by a stint in the US Navy. Following his service, he enrolled as a graduate student in the Geology program to seek a Master’s degree from the University of Kansas. During this time he was a research assistant employed in the Environmental Geology Section of the Kansas Geological Survey. Upon completion of his Master’s, his first job was as a hydrologist working in the Public Water Supply Section of the US EPA in the Kansas City regional office. A year later he was hired as a research scientist in the Geohydrology Section of the Kansas Geological Survey where he completed a 34 year career working on the State’s water challenges. In 1993 Allen received his Doctorate in Environmental Health Science from KU. He has done field research in many of the 105 counties in Kansas and in adjacent areas of Missouri, Oklahoma, and Colorado and has enjoyed collaborating in research with colleagues from the US and other parts of the world. Following retirement from the Survey in 2010, Allen became a middle school science teacher at Topeka Collegiate. He organized field trips for the purpose of giving students the opportunity to explore natural Kansas.

He retired from Collegiate in 2017 and shortly thereafter became an education consultant for the Museum at Prairiefire, where he currently works remotely from home. Prior to the pandemic, he wrote educational materials for and presented activities to students in the JAM after school program and wrote teacher educational pieces in support of the Museum’s exhibitions. Some of his latest work has been to collect research materials in support of the upcoming Kansas Revealed exhibit.

Wednesday, October 8th
Doors open at 5:30 PM for Happy Hour drinks
Talk begins at 6PM
Tickets are FREE for membership and $10 for non-members

Get ready to explore the science of light and shadow! In this playful, hands-on session, preschoolers will discover how shadows are made, experiment with different objects, and even create their own shadow shapes. It's a fun and sneaky way to learn all about how light works!

The Museum at Prairiefire will be closed on October 6 & 7 for a deep cleaning and a little MAP “glow up.” ✨ We’ll reopen on Tuesday, October 8 from 10am–5pm—just in time for a fresh visit and our evening Science Happy Hour! 🍻🔬 See you then!

The Museum at Prairiefire will be closed on October 6 & 7 for a deep cleaning and a little MAP “glow up.” ✨ We’ll reopen on Tuesday, October 8 from 10am–5pm—just in time for a fresh visit and our evening Science Happy Hour! 🍻🔬 See you then!

Dome building are loved for their unique looks, but why would one build using a dome over a standard design? What kinds of building are generally built using domes, and what are their benefits? In this hands-on activity, JAMmers build a geodesic dome out of gumdrops or candy corn and toothpicks.

Join us on an ancient adventure as we explore the incredible world of pyramids! Designed for preschool-age children, this hands-on session will introduce young learners to the wonders of ancient Egypt. Kids will discover how pyramids were built, learn about their importance, and use simple, ancient-inspired techniques to build their very own mini pyramids. Come ready to dig into history and build like the Egyptians!

Get Ready to Play, Learn & SLIME!

Join us for Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play onSeptember 27th, 10am-12n— a jam-packed celebration of movement, fun, and fitness!

Learn pro tips from an AdventHealth Sports Medicine Specialist on the best snacks to fuel your body and simple daily moves to keep you in peak performance shape. Whether you’re into Baseball, Cheer, Football, Gymnastics, Soccer, Basketball, Dance — or ANY sport — staying strong and ready is the secret to success!

After that, hit the Patio Free Play Stations on the Terrace for hands-on fun and active games.

Then get ready, because it’s… TIME. TO. SLIME!

This is a FREE event — but space is limited and registration is required. Don’t miss out on the ultimate day of play!

In many ways Autumn is a time of transition. The days are getting shorter and colder, the leaves are changing colors, and the animals are preparing for winter. What is the science behind these changes? In this camp, we’ll explore this topic. We will learn about the Sun - Earth relationship during Autumn and how that affects our days and nights and the weather. We’ll examine how and why leaves change their colors by doing leaf paper chromatography. We’ll learn about the habits of animals as they prepare for winter, make observations of plants in our wetlands, and dissect pumpkins.

For elementary school ages

Drop-off for camps is from 8:00-8:20 and pick-up is from 3:30-4:00.  

$50 Non-Members

$40 Members (please sign in to your account and use the discount code emailed to you)

Join us on an ancient adventure as we explore the incredible world of pyramids! Designed for preschool-age children, this hands-on session will introduce young learners to the wonders of ancient Egypt. Kids will discover how pyramids were built, learn about their importance, and use simple, ancient-inspired techniques to build their very own mini pyramids. Come ready to dig into history and build like the Egyptians!

Dome building are loved for their unique looks, but why would one build using a dome over a standard design? What kinds of building are generally built using domes, and what are their benefits? In this hands-on activity, JAMmers build a geodesic dome out of gumdrops or candy corn and toothpicks.

Join us on an ancient adventure as we explore the incredible world of pyramids! Designed for preschool-age children, this hands-on session will introduce young learners to the wonders of ancient Egypt. Kids will discover how pyramids were built, learn about their importance, and use simple, ancient-inspired techniques to build their very own mini pyramids. Come ready to dig into history and build like the Egyptians!

Dome building are loved for their unique looks, but why would one build using a dome over a standard design? What kinds of building are generally built using domes, and what are their benefits? In this hands-on activity, JAMmers build a geodesic dome out of gumdrops or candy corn and toothpicks.

Join us for our 4th Annual PLAY FOR KCUA Pickleball Tournament benefiting KC Urban Advantage! On Saturday, September 20th, 2025 from 9:00 - Noon at Chicken N Pickle Overland Park for a morning of FUN, EXCITEMENT, FOOD, DRINK and DOING GOOD for Kansas City's most underserved children!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

Step back in time with us! In this hands-on session, preschool-age children will discover how early humans created tools and expressed themselves through art. Little explorers will learn about Stone Age life and then create their own ancient-style artwork using sticks and paper bags—just like early artists did with natural materials. It’s a creative journey through history that’s perfect for curious young minds!

We don't think about the shape of our ears often, but human ears look very different compared to other creatures. JAMmers will experience what it’s like to have differently shaped ears and how it affects hearing and perhaps be able to answer the questions: Why do animals’ ears look different from yours? What would life be like if your ears were shaped differently? 

Step back in time with us! In this hands-on session, preschool-age children will discover how early humans created tools and expressed themselves through art. Little explorers will learn about Stone Age life and then create their own ancient-style artwork using sticks and paper bags—just like early artists did with natural materials. It’s a creative journey through history that’s perfect for curious young minds!

Step back in time with us! In this hands-on session, preschool-age children will discover how early humans created tools and expressed themselves through art. Little explorers will learn about Stone Age life and then create their own ancient-style artwork using sticks and paper bags—just like early artists did with natural materials. It’s a creative journey through history that’s perfect for curious young minds!

🩸 Give the Gift of Life! 🩸

Join us at the Museum at Prairiefire for an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Monday, September 8th from 12:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Your donation can help save lives and make a difference in our community.

Schedule your appointment today: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=museumatpf

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged to ensure a smooth donation process. Thank you for helping those in need! ❤️