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 dig into the world of fossils! Make a fun craft and discover how fossils tell the story of life long ago.

Young explorers will dig into the world of fossils! Make a fun craft and discover how fossils tell the story of life long ago.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Explore and create! Young scientists will learn about Moon craters and make a fun, hands-on craft in Little Explorers Club: Crazy Craters on the Moon.

In this life-science JAM, participants conduct an experiment to determine whether seeds will sprout faster in coffee or water and will learn a little about how seeds turn into plants.