Whether it’s on a vast prairie, in the mountains, or in your yard, soil is valuable stuff. Everything that supports terrestrial life ultimately comes from soil. Did you know there are many different types of soil? Just like species of living things, soil actually has several different classifications. Understanding the different classifications of soil is useful if you want to grow a vegetable garden or have a patch of land to support native plants on your property.

There is a simple test you can do to test what makes up your soil, and it involves shaking a sample of soil and water in a jar! You will be given a picture of the soil texture pyramid to help you identify what type of soil you have just by looking at layers in your jar.

Whether it’s on a vast prairie, in the mountains, or in your yard, soil is valuable stuff. Everything that supports terrestrial life ultimately comes from soil. Did you know there are many different types of soil? Just like species of living things, soil actually has several different classifications. Understanding the different classifications of soil is useful if you want to grow a vegetable garden or have a patch of land to support native plants on your property.

There is a simple test you can do to test what makes up your soil, and it involves shaking a sample of soil and water in a jar! You will be given a picture of the soil texture pyramid to help you identify what type of soil you have just by looking at layers in your jar.

What bird species do you know? When you picture them in your mind, what do their beaks look like? Chances are, you know several different birds and know that their beak shapes can look very different from one another. Why would this be? Why is the large and curved hawk’s beak, for example, so different looking from the short and pointy beak of a chickadee? Well, it has to do with picking out and eating certain foods.

In this JAM, you will practice using different types of utensils as “beaks” to gather a variety of different food sources. You will notice that some utensils are better at picking up certain food shapes and sizes than others. During your foraging, we will keep track of which beak shape picks up which food best!

What bird species do you know? When you picture them in your mind, what do their beaks look like? Chances are, you know several different birds and know that their beak shapes can look very different from one another. Why would this be? Why is the large and curved hawk’s beak, for example, so different looking from the short and pointy beak of a chickadee? Well, it has to do with picking out and eating certain foods.

In this JAM, you will practice using different types of utensils as “beaks” to gather a variety of different food sources. You will notice that some utensils are better at picking up certain food shapes and sizes than others. During your foraging, we will keep track of which beak shape picks up which food best!

An eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun…so why don’t we see one every month? (The new moon phase happens when the moon is positioned between the two, which usually happens once a month.) Solar eclipses don’t happen very often, and a total solar eclipse is even more rare. On April 8th 2024, a large portion of North America, running from Mexico to northeast Canada, will witness the continent’s second total solar eclipse in just seven years!

In this JAM, you will learn why these events are so rare, and why they are so special to astronomy lovers around the world. You will also design your own eclipse viewer for safely viewing an eclipse.

An eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun…so why don’t we see one every month? (The new moon phase happens when the moon is positioned between the two, which usually happens once a month.) Solar eclipses don’t happen very often, and a total solar eclipse is even more rare. On April 8th 2024, a large portion of North America, running from Mexico to northeast Canada, will witness the continent’s second total solar eclipse in just seven years!

In this JAM, you will learn why these events are so rare, and why they are so special to astronomy lovers around the world. You will also design your own eclipse viewer for safely viewing an eclipse.

In this JAM session we focus on the build of a home. Or rather an insect home. Different insects use all sorts of strange materials to create their homesteads not only to protect themselves, but also their colony! Learn about several different species of insects that have mastered the art of tiny architecture and become an architect yourself when creating your very own insect home!

In this JAM session we focus on the build of a home. Or rather an insect home. Different insects use all sorts of strange materials to create their homesteads not only to protect themselves, but also their colony! Learn about several different species of insects that have mastered the art of tiny architecture and become an architect yourself when creating your very own insect home!

As you go on in school, you will learn more and more about plants. From respiration (how plants “breathe”) and photosynthesis to plants as food for wildlife, there is always more to learn about plants.

Did you know some of the very first plants that existed were mosses? In this plant science JAM, you will design a habitat in a pop bottle for a clump of moss. You can decorate your moss garden with small, natural objects.

As you go on in school, you will learn more and more about plants. From respiration (how plants “breathe”) and photosynthesis to plants as food for wildlife, there is always more to learn about plants.

Did you know some of the very first plants that existed were mosses? In this plant science JAM, you will design a habitat in a pop bottle for a clump of moss. You can decorate your moss garden with small, natural objects.

You’ve all seen the moon. It’s an instantly recognizable object in the night sky, but it doesn’t always look the same. If you are a particularly careful observer, you may notice that it appears to rise just a little bit earlier each night. If you look closely, you may also notice that its shape is ever so slightly different from one night to the next. And, if you’ve observed the moon up close through binoculars or a telescope, you’ve seen its craters. Why does the moon look the way it does?

In this astronomy JAM, you will understand how impactors, objects such as a comet or asteroid that collides with other objects, leave marks on the lunar surface. We will also experiment with Earth, moon models to see how the moon’s position relative to Earth determines its phase using a flashlight.

You’ve all seen the moon. It’s an instantly recognizable object in the night sky, but it doesn’t always look the same. If you are a particularly careful observer, you may notice that it appears to rise just a little bit earlier each night. If you look closely, you may also notice that its shape is ever so slightly different from one night to the next. And, if you’ve observed the moon up close through binoculars or a telescope, you’ve seen its craters. Why does the moon look the way it does?

In this astronomy JAM, you will understand how impactors, objects such as a comet or asteroid that collides with other objects, leave marks on the lunar surface. We will also experiment with Earth, moon models to see how the moon’s position relative to Earth determines its phase using a flashlight.

In this Jam session on reptile adaptations, we will create our very own lizards. Lizards have many adaptations but our focus is on their skin. Different textures, colors, and patterns can help a lizard protect itself, hide itself, or even attract others of its species. Explore other cool adaptations these critters use to survive in all forms of habitat. We will create wall climbing friends or a companion for your backpack!

In this Jam session on reptile adaptations, we will create our very own lizards. Lizards have many adaptations but our focus is on their skin. Different textures, colors, and patterns can help a lizard protect itself, hide itself, or even attract others of its species. Explore other cool adaptations these critters use to survive in all forms of habitat. We will create wall climbing friends or a companion for your backpack!

Have you ever thought about designing your own car? Many people have wondered the same thing throughout history, and there have been some pretty interesting designs. Even though you’re not quite old enough to drive yet, you can still learn about the science of movement and how to power an object to propel it forward.

In this JAM, you will design a vehicle that is powered by wind…or more specifically, your own breath. It takes just a few common objects, some glue, and some tinkering. Good for an indoor project!

Have you ever thought about designing your own car? Many people have wondered the same thing throughout history, and there have been some pretty interesting designs. Even though you’re not quite old enough to drive yet, you can still learn about the science of movement and how to power an object to propel it forward.

In this JAM, you will design a vehicle that is powered by wind…or more specifically, your own breath. It takes just a few common objects, some glue, and some tinkering. Good for an indoor project!

In this winter-themed JAM, students will explore different properties of ice and snow. If you’ve done a Halloween Mad Science JAM with us, you will be familiar with the setup. There will be four different experiments, each themed around ice. Kids can arrange themselves in groups and pick a station. Once that station is finished, the group can then move on to the next open station.

In this winter-themed JAM, students will explore different properties of ice and snow. If you’ve done a Halloween Mad Science JAM with us, you will be familiar with the setup. There will be four different experiments, each themed around ice. Kids can arrange themselves in groups and pick a station. Once that station is finished, the group can then move on to the next open station.

Reindeer are adapted to living in cold environments thanks to their dense layers of fur and a special heat exchange system in their noses that actually warms the air they inhale...but what would happen if a reindeer got a cold? Would they need a tissue? For this month's activity, we'll be putting a holiday spin on the classic slime experiment. Learn how to make your very own reindeer snot with glue and food coloring!

Reindeer are adapted to living in cold environments thanks to their dense layers of fur and a special heat exchange system in their noses that actually warms the air they inhale...but what would happen if a reindeer got a cold? Would they need a tissue? For this month's activity, we'll be putting a holiday spin on the classic slime experiment. Learn how to make your very own reindeer snot with glue and food coloring!

Cranberries are one of the favorite foods around Thanksgiving time. They are also one of the more colorful foods on the table, and this deep red color is due to a specific chemical found in the juice. If you were here for the leaf chromatography JAM, you might recall this chemical that gives some leaves their red color.

It turns out that cranberry juice can be mixed with a simple, common household item to make otherwise invisible messages reveal themselves. Learn about the chemistry of cranberries, and compare the “secret message” capabilities of cranberries with other juices.

Cranberries are one of the favorite foods around Thanksgiving time. They are also one of the more colorful foods on the table, and this deep red color is due to a specific chemical found in the juice. If you were here for the leaf chromatography JAM, you might recall this chemical that gives some leaves their red color.

It turns out that cranberry juice can be mixed with a simple, common household item to make otherwise invisible messages reveal themselves. Learn about the chemistry of cranberries, and compare the “secret message” capabilities of cranberries with other juices.

From the time leaves first appear in spring to the time they shed, most leaves are green. Then, you notice they start turning to different hues of yellow and orange. Some even turn a brilliant red or purple. Why does this happen? What causes leaves that stay green for months to turn to such a variety of colors over a period of just weeks?

In this activity, we will explore the science behind leaf colors. You will learn what chemicals give leaves their colors and why they change. You will also devise a simple experiment to extract these special chemicals, called pigments, from leaves. To top things off, we’ll do a quick experiment with acorns.

From the time leaves first appear in spring to the time they shed, most leaves are green. Then, you notice they start turning to different hues of yellow and orange. Some even turn a brilliant red or purple. Why does this happen? What causes leaves that stay green for months to turn to such a variety of colors over a period of just weeks?

In this activity, we will explore the science behind leaf colors. You will learn what chemicals give leaves their colors and why they change. You will also devise a simple experiment to extract these special chemicals, called pigments, from leaves. To top things off, we’ll do a quick experiment with acorns.

Why are some animals found in regions of the world but not found in others? Why do some animals struggle while others thrive? Animal habitats are the most vital resource for animals of all kinds to continue their species, be it in the water, air, or on land.

In this activity we will teach you about the top 5 resources animals need that make a suitable habitat: Food, water, space, shelter, and potential mates. Not only will you explore different habitats and different animal needs, you’ll also learn about why some animal habitats are in danger and what you can do to help prevent the loss of critical habitat for animals across the globe.

Why are some animals found in regions of the world but not found in others? Why do some animals struggle while others thrive? Animal habitats are the most vital resource for animals of all kinds to continue their species, be it in the water, air, or on land.

In this activity we will teach you about the top 5 resources animals need that make a suitable habitat: Food, water, space, shelter, and potential mates. Not only will you explore different habitats and different animal needs, you’ll also learn about why some animal habitats are in danger and what you can do to help prevent the loss of critical habitat for animals across the globe.

Do you enjoy watching birds? No matter the time of day or where you are there is typically at least some species of bird around you. What dictates the bird species you see are seasons, weather, climate, habitat, as well as available resources.

In this activity we will teach you how to identify birds from just their songs and calls. You’ll also learn what each bird looks like and the color differences between males and females. Once we’ve taught you some of these skills you should be able to begin your birding adventure here at the MAP or at home in your backyard.

Do you enjoy watching birds? No matter the time of day or where you are there is typically at least some species of bird around you. What dictates the bird species you see are seasons, weather, climate, habitat, as well as available resources.

In this activity we will teach you how to identify birds from just their songs and calls. You’ll also learn what each bird looks like and the color differences between males and females. Once we’ve taught you some of these skills you should be able to begin your birding adventure here at the MAP or at home in your backyard.

How do rockets propel themselves into space? It’s not just a matter of pointing it straight up in the air…it needs to escape Earth’s orbit, called the “escape velocity”, or else it will simply fall back to Earth! In this JAM, we won’t be launching rockets into space, but we will have fun making paper rockets and shooting them up 20, 30, even 40 feet up in the air using just our feet! You will learn the basic forces that allow rockets to travel, and then make your own paper rocket that you will launch into the air. You will be challenged to think about aerodynamics and weight in order to make your rocket as efficient a projectile as possible.

How do rockets propel themselves into space? It’s not just a matter of pointing it straight up in the air…it needs to escape Earth’s orbit, called the “escape velocity”, or else it will simply fall back to Earth! In this JAM, we won’t be launching rockets into space, but we will have fun making paper rockets and shooting them up 20, 30, even 40 feet up in the air using just our feet! You will learn the basic forces that allow rockets to travel, and then make your own paper rocket that you will launch into the air. You will be challenged to think about aerodynamics and weight in order to make your rocket as efficient a projectile as possible.