Celebrate International Conservation Day with hands-on fun for the whole family at SciFun Saturday! On July 25th from 1–4 PM, children of all ages can explore their creativity while learning about protecting our planet. At this free, come-and-go event, kids will make their very own Earth collage at a special activity table, combining art and environmental awareness in a fun and engaging way. Perfect for curious minds eager to make a difference, this event encourages imagination, learning, and a love for our planet.

In this simple STEAM activity, children use the path of the Sun across the southern sky to tell time using a simple version of a sundial.  As an introduction to the activity, tell children that before there were watches, clocks, or computers that would tell us the time, humans had to rely on sundials.

Young explorers will dive into the wonders of the night sky! Make your own telescope craft and discover the stars, planets, and galaxies in a hands-on learning adventure.

In this life-science JAM, participants will celebrate the fourth of July using food dye to create colorful carnations and learn about how plants use water.

Young explorers will dive into the wonders of the night sky! Make your own telescope craft and discover the stars, planets, and galaxies in a hands-on learning adventure.

Young explorers will dive into the wonders of the night sky! Make your own telescope craft and discover the stars, planets, and galaxies in a hands-on learning adventure.

In this life-science JAM, participants will celebrate the fourth of July using food dye to create colorful carnations and learn about how plants use water.

Explore the Hidden Wonders of the Wetlands! 

Join us for a guided adventure along the Museum at Prairiefire’s beautiful Wetlands Trail and discover the incredible natural world right in our own backyard!

Tour Schedule
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM 
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM 
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM 
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM 
4:15 PM – 5:00 PM 

Led by our knowledgeable guides, this immersive experience will introduce you to the native Kansas plants, pollinators, birds, and wildlife that thrive in this unique ecosystem. Along the way, you'll uncover fascinating stories about the species that call the wetlands home and learn why these vital habitats play such an important role in protecting water quality, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining life throughout our region.

Whether you're a nature enthusiast, budding scientist, or simply looking for a fun and meaningful outdoor experience, this guided exploration offers something for everyone.

-Discover. Explore. Connect with Nature.
-Learn about native plants and pollinators
-Spot wildlife in its natural habitat
-Understand the critical role wetlands play in our ecosystem

Come experience the beauty, science, and wonder of the wetlands—one step at a time!

What can the rise and fall of steam locomotives reveal about the history of life on Earth? In this fascinating presentation, Dr. Lieberman explores one of evolutionary biology’s biggest questions: does competition truly determine which species survive and which go extinct?

While competition has long been considered a driving force in evolution, the fossil evidence supporting that idea is surprisingly limited. Using the dramatic replacement of steam locomotives by diesel engines, electric trains, automobiles, and trucks as a real-world case study, Dr. Lieberman draws compelling parallels between technological innovation and biological evolution.

Through this unique lens, audiences will discover the patterns scientists should expect to see in nature if competition is indeed a major force shaping life’s history — and whether those same patterns actually appear in the fossil record.

Blending science, history, technology, and storytelling, this thought-provoking talk offers a fresh perspective on evolution and extinction that will change the way you look at both the past and the future.

Wednesday, June 24th
Doors open at 5:30 PM for Happy Hour drinks
Presentation begins at 6PM
Tickets are FREE for members and $10 for non-members

Celebrate World Rainforest Day at SciFun Saturday on June 20th from 1–4 PM! Kids of all ages are invited to explore the wonders of the rainforest while creating their very own layered rainforest art at our come-and-go craft table. This free, hands-on event is a perfect way for families to spark curiosity, get creative, and learn about the incredible plants and animals that call the rainforest home.

Explore the Hidden Wonders of the Wetlands! 

Join us for a guided adventure along the Museum at Prairiefire’s beautiful Wetlands Trail and discover the incredible natural world right in our own backyard!

Tour Schedule
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM 
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM 
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM 
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM 
4:15 PM – 5:00 PM 

Led by our knowledgeable guides, this immersive experience will introduce you to the native Kansas plants, pollinators, birds, and wildlife that thrive in this unique ecosystem. Along the way, you'll uncover fascinating stories about the species that call the wetlands home and learn why these vital habitats play such an important role in protecting water quality, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining life throughout our region.

Whether you're a nature enthusiast, budding scientist, or simply looking for a fun and meaningful outdoor experience, this guided exploration offers something for everyone.

-Discover. Explore. Connect with Nature.
-Learn about native plants and pollinators
-Spot wildlife in its natural habitat
-Understand the critical role wetlands play in our ecosystem

Come experience the beauty, science, and wonder of the wetlands—one step at a time!

Summer Solstice is the day where the Earth is the most tilted towards the Sun and changes the amount of sunlight we see. This occurs in June in the Northern Hemisphere and in December in the Southern Hemisphere! Join this Little Explorers Club to learn even more about our amazing Sun!

Summer Solstice is the day where the Earth is the most tilted towards the Sun and changes the amount of sunlight we see. This occurs in June in the Northern Hemisphere and in December in the Southern Hemisphere! Join this Little Explorers Club to learn even more about our amazing Sun!

When you think of a wetland (maybe a marsh, swamp, or small creek flowing from a pond), what living things come to mind? Most participants can probably name a few large animals and at least one or two plants. But, did they know that these large living organisms actually depend on tiny, even microscopic, plants and animals to survive.  Without them, a wetland would not function the way it does.  In this natural science JAM, partici- pants will each be given some sampling tools for collecting water samples and other natural materials in the stream behind the Museum.  They will observe their “catch” through magnifiers and microscopes and learn about the amazing tiny things living and swimming in the creek!

Summer Solstice is the day where the Earth is the most tilted towards the Sun and changes the amount of sunlight we see. This occurs in June in the Northern Hemisphere and in December in the Southern Hemisphere! Join this Little Explorers Club to learn even more about our amazing Sun!

When you think of a wetland (maybe a marsh, swamp, or small creek flowing from a pond), what living things come to mind? Most participants can probably name a few large animals and at least one or two plants. But, did they know that these large living organisms actually depend on tiny, even microscopic, plants and animals to survive.  Without them, a wetland would not function the way it does.  In this natural science JAM, partici- pants will each be given some sampling tools for collecting water samples and other natural materials in the stream behind the Museum.  They will observe their “catch” through magnifiers and microscopes and learn about the amazing tiny things living and swimming in the creek!

Have you ever wondered why snot and boogers stick together? The answer is polymers! Come join us on this Little Explorers Club as we learn all about what snot and boogers are, how they relate to polymers and even make your own stretchy snot polymer.

Have you ever wondered why snot and boogers stick together? The answer is polymers! Come join us on this Little Explorers Club as we learn all about what snot and boogers are, how they relate to polymers and even make your own stretchy snot polymer.

Have you ever wondered why snot and boogers stick together? The answer is polymers! Come join us on this Little Explorers Club as we learn all about what snot and boogers are, how they relate to polymers and even make your own stretchy snot polymer.

We all rely on clean, drinkable water to survive. (Remember that most of our body is water.)  The water in our bodies must be replenished by drinking plenty of it during the day. How do we get water that we can drink? The water that comes to us from our environment is not usually drinkable—it must be treated to remove harmful substances in it. One type of treatment involves filtration. Filtration removes substances and microscopic organisms that float in the water, as well as some substances that are dissolved in it. Using materials from the pet and hardware stores, you can construct your own water filtration device to see how this treatment process works.

Join us for our Open House and discover a one-of-a-kind early learning environment where curiosity comes alive. Your child’s academic journey begins in a place where a love of learning, STEAM education, social-emotional growth, and hands-on discovery come together to create something truly magical.

With a low teacher-to-student ratio of 1:7—well below the state standard of 1:12—your child receives the individualized attention they deserve. Our small classrooms and hands-on STEAM approach foster curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning.

Come meet our teachers, explore our classrooms, and see the difference for yourself!

Don’t miss out—join us for a summer and school year full of exploration, discovery, and big smiles! Cant make it to the Open House? That’s perfectly ok you can Schedule a tour by emailing our Director Caitlin at Caitlin@mapsteamacademy.org

What is the difference between weathering, erosion, and deposition and what land formations do they cause? Join us on this Little Explorer’s Club adventure as we learn about being a geologist!

In this session of JAM, participants will learn how to identify and name common trees in the Kansas City Metro using the characteristics of leaf shape and arrangement, tree bark, and shape of the canopy.  Weather permitting, participants will practice their identification skills in the wetland area of the Museum or indoors using images arranged on a Powerpoint presentation.

What is the difference between weathering, erosion, and deposition and what land formations do they cause? Join us on this Little Explorer’s Club adventure as we learn about being a geologist!

What is the difference between weathering, erosion, and deposition and what land formations do they cause? Join us on this Little Explorer’s Club adventure as we learn about being a geologist!

Celebrate World Bee Day at SciFun Saturday! On May 16th, children of all ages are invited to join us from 1–4 PM at the Museum at Prairiefire for a fun, hands-on experience making their very own earth beads at a come-and-go craft table. This free event is the perfect opportunity for little explorers to learn about bees, nature, and the environment while getting creative and taking home a colorful reminder of their STEAM adventure.

In this session of JAM, participants will learn how to identify and name common trees in the Kansas City Metro using the characteristics of leaf shape and arrangement, tree bark, and shape of the canopy.  Weather permitting, participants will practice their identification skills in the wetland area of the Museum or indoors using images arranged on a Powerpoint presentation.

Join us for a hands-on adventure learning about animal defenses and crafting your own nature-inspired creation.

Join us for a hands-on adventure learning about animal defenses and crafting your own nature-inspired creation.

In this JAM, participants will use natural and man-made raw materials to simulate the way birds use these materials to build their nests. In the process of doing this simulation, JAMmers will realize how much work it is for a bird to build a nest.