When you think of a wetland (maybe a marsh, swamp, or small creek flowing from a pond), what living things come to mind?  Most of you can probably name a few large animals and at least one or two plants.  Did you know, though, 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, you will each be given some sampling tools for collecting specimens in our creek water behind the museum.  You’ll observe your “catch” through microscopes and learn about the amazing tiny things swimming in the creek!

Discover the amazing human body! Little scientists will explore how our bodies work, from our beating hearts to our busy brains, through fun hands-on activities and interactive learning.

Discover the amazing human body! Little scientists will explore how our bodies work, from our beating hearts to our busy brains, through fun hands-on activities and interactive learning.

Think of the last picture of a plant or an animal you saw in a book - was it a photograph or a drawing?  We are all used to seeing images of nature through photographs in our books, magazines, and videos.  Photography is a pretty young field, and early scientists couldn’t simply pull out a phone and snap a picture!  So, how did they record the tiny details of natural objects?  In this natural history JAM, we’ll take a look at some of the earliest drawings, even from ancient Roman and Greek times, of plants and animals these early scientists made.  We will also go on our own exploration along the wetlands trail to find objects to sketch.

Journey through history as we learn about the Native American tribes of Kansas! Little explorers will discover their traditions, stories, and daily life through hands-on activities and engaging storytelling.

Journey through history as we learn about the Native American tribes of Kansas! Little explorers will discover their traditions, stories, and daily life through hands-on activities and engaging storytelling.

Think of the last picture of a plant or an animal you saw in a book - was it a photograph or a drawing?  We are all used to seeing images of nature through photographs in our books, magazines, and videos.  Photography is a pretty young field, and early scientists couldn’t simply pull out a phone and snap a picture!  So, how did they record the tiny details of natural objects?  In this natural history JAM, we’ll take a look at some of the earliest drawings, even from ancient Roman and Greek times, of plants and animals these early scientists made.  We will also go on our own exploration along the wetlands trail to find objects to sketch.

Journey through history as we learn about the Native American tribes of Kansas! Little explorers will discover their traditions, stories, and daily life through hands-on activities and engaging storytelling.

We are now in the dog days of summer, the hottest part of the year.  It is no surprise, then, that the noisy cicadas you’re hearing are called dog day cicadas!  These are fascinating insects, and their calls seem to instantly bring warm summer evenings to mind.  There are several species that fall into this group - and did you know that you and actually identify the different species by their song?

In this JAM, you will learn how and why cicadas make their calls and how they can be so loud!  We’ll test our knowledge of cicada calls and walk along the wetlands trail for observation…possibly even handling.  (They are harmless!)

Discover the stories and symbols of totem poles! Little explorers will learn about their cultural significance and explore the fascinating traditions behind these towering works of art.

Discover the stories and symbols of totem poles! Little explorers will learn about their cultural significance and explore the fascinating traditions behind these towering works of art.

We are now in the dog days of summer, the hottest part of the year.  It is no surprise, then, that the noisy cicadas you’re hearing are called dog day cicadas!  These are fascinating insects, and their calls seem to instantly bring warm summer evenings to mind.  There are several species that fall into this group - and did you know that you and actually identify the different species by their song?

In this JAM, you will learn how and why cicadas make their calls and how they can be so loud!  We’ll test our knowledge of cicada calls and walk along the wetlands trail for observation…possibly even handling.  (They are harmless!)

Discover the stories and symbols of totem poles! Little explorers will learn about their cultural significance and explore the fascinating traditions behind these towering works of art.

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!

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!

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 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!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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 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!

What would happen if there was a power outage and you had no electricity in your house?  Maybe you could rely on the fruits you have in your refrigerator for electricity. In this experiment, JAMmers will see just how much electricity can be generated from a fruit battery, and what you could actually power in your home if you needed to.

Join us for a bug-tastic adventure! In this Little Explorers Club session, preschoolers will discover the world of insects through hands-on fun. We'll explore how scientists classify insects and what makes them special—like having six legs and three body parts! Little ones will also get creative and make their own colorful ladybug paintings to take home. Perfect for curious minds who love to learn, play, and explore!

Join us for a bug-tastic adventure! In this Little Explorers Club session, preschoolers will discover the world of insects through hands-on fun. We'll explore how scientists classify insects and what makes them special—like having six legs and three body parts! Little ones will also get creative and make their own colorful ladybug paintings to take home. Perfect for curious minds who love to learn, play, and explore!

What would happen if there was a power outage and you had no electricity in your house?  Maybe you could rely on the fruits you have in your refrigerator for electricity. In this experiment, JAMmers will see just how much electricity can be generated from a fruit battery, and what you could actually power in your home if you needed to.

Join us for a bug-tastic adventure! In this Little Explorers Club session, preschoolers will discover the world of insects through hands-on fun. We'll explore how scientists classify insects and what makes them special—like having six legs and three body parts! Little ones will also get creative and make their own colorful ladybug paintings to take home. Perfect for curious minds who love to learn, play, and explore!

We usually think of turkeys waddling and gobbling on the ground, but those who see turkeys in the wild know they can run fast, and fly, when they feel like it. In this hilarious and exciting hands-on activity, students construct their own turkey balloon racers and then conduct races with each other. Who will come out on top?

Join us for a buggy good time as we explore the fascinating world of insects and their exoskeletons! Designed for preschool-aged children, this hands-on program will introduce little learners to what makes insects unique—from their hard outer shells to how they grow and move. Kids will get crafty making their very own egg carton ants to take home while learning fun facts about our six-legged friends. Perfect for curious minds who love to crawl, climb, and create!

We usually think of turkeys waddling and gobbling on the ground, but those who see turkeys in the wild know they can run fast, and fly, when they feel like it. In this hilarious and exciting hands-on activity, students construct their own turkey balloon racers and then conduct races with each other. Who will come out on top?

Join us for a buggy good time as we explore the fascinating world of insects and their exoskeletons! Designed for preschool-aged children, this hands-on program will introduce little learners to what makes insects unique—from their hard outer shells to how they grow and move. Kids will get crafty making their very own egg carton ants to take home while learning fun facts about our six-legged friends. Perfect for curious minds who love to crawl, climb, and create!

Join us for a buggy good time as we explore the fascinating world of insects and their exoskeletons! Designed for preschool-aged children, this hands-on program will introduce little learners to what makes insects unique—from their hard outer shells to how they grow and move. Kids will get crafty making their very own egg carton ants to take home while learning fun facts about our six-legged friends. Perfect for curious minds who love to crawl, climb, and create!

Crystals are a favorite among geologists, but they're also important when forming snow. If you have the right recipe, you can even form crystals yourself! In this hands-on activity that is to be completed at home, JAMmers grow crystals on pipe cleaners to make fancy Holiday decorations.

Join us for a chilly adventure as we learn how animals like polar bears stay warm in icy places! Preschool-aged children will explore the science behind fur and blubber, then get creative by making their very own polar bear paintings to take home. Perfect for curious little minds and busy hands!

Crystals are a favorite among geologists, but they're also important when forming snow. If you have the right recipe, you can even form crystals yourself! In this hands-on activity that is to be completed at home, JAMmers grow crystals on pipe cleaners to make fancy Holiday decorations.

Join us for a chilly adventure as we learn how animals like polar bears stay warm in icy places! Preschool-aged children will explore the science behind fur and blubber, then get creative by making their very own polar bear paintings to take home. Perfect for curious little minds and busy hands!

Join us for a chilly adventure as we learn how animals like polar bears stay warm in icy places! Preschool-aged children will explore the science behind fur and blubber, then get creative by making their very own polar bear paintings to take home. Perfect for curious little minds and busy hands!