After-school Fall 2018

The Museum after-school programs begin September 26 and will run through December 19. The class starts at 3:30pm. There will be a video, worksheets, hands-on projects & crafts. The programs will be held in the library and are open to children age 6 and older.

Registration is required by calling the museum at 518-642-1515 no later than the Saturday before the program. Come join us!

Sept 26 Reptiles
A 30-minute video reveals the alien world of these misunderstood cold-blooded vertebrates, uncovering reptilian facts that are stranger than fiction. From hot, steamy swamps to dry-as-bone deserts, travel the world in search of these amazing animals. Worksheet, activity sheets and a turtle yarn craft will be included.

 

Oct 3 Seas & Oceans
Visit the alien world of the deep and the creatures that live there: fish, invertebrates, corals, mammals, plants, and more. 30-minute video, activity sheets and hands-on project.

 

Oct 10 Weather
What’s most deadly—lightning, wind, or hail? A 30-minute video will take you on a whirlwind tour of Earth’s turbulent atmosphere and reveals the forces that make the day fair or foul. From hurricanes to heat waves, weather is the most closely watched wild card in nature—yet it can still baffle us every day. Activity sheets and fall leaf craft will follow.

 

10/17 Rocks & Minerals
Which world-famous rock came from outer space? Why were rubies once known as bloodstones? Rock and Mineral shatters the stone’s reputation for “rock-solid” performance. Discover how rocks keep a constantly changing record of our planet’s fascinating history, and see how minerals are at the very core of our civilization in a 30-minute video. A worksheet, activity sheets and a hands-on project will be included.

 

 

 

 

 

 

10/24 Skeletons
Discover the story of human and animal skeletons—their evolution, structure, and function with a 30-minute video and real animal x-rays. There will be activity sheets and a craft just in time for Halloween.

10/31 Lifecycle of a Pumpkin
Short video, discussion, activity sheets and a pumpkin craft.

11/7 Birds
What do bird songs actually mean? How does an owl catch its prey in the dark? A 30-minute Bird video takes an up-close look at the staggering range of sizes, shapes, and habitats of these feathered creatures. It connects modern birds to a distant dinosaur past. Activity sheets & birds & beaks game will be included.

 

11/14 Mammals
What incredible talent do dolphins and bats share? How can you tell which is the oldest elephant in a herd? A 30-minute video reveals the most amazing facts and folklore about our favorite furry animals. Towering or tiny, ferocious or friendly, mammals trot, hop, swim, and soar. Meet the creatures that make up this huge and varied family. There will be activity sheets & animal bingo.

11/28 Planets
The final frontier. Since we first walked the Earth we have gazed in wonder at the night skies and searched for our place in the Universe. Come travel through our solar system with a 30-minute video, activity sheets & star clock craft.

12/5, 12, 19 Christmas STEM Challenges
5 Christmas challenges for you to design, create, predict and test your creations.

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September/October Nature Preserve Programs

Pember Nature Preserve Programs
6937 NY 22, Hebron

Programs start when you arrive! Most are typically an hour-long and the last one starts at 2:00pm. Hands-on activities are included in each program. The facility will be open from 11:00am to 3:00pm for visitors.

Sept 9, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Mammals
Stop in to discover Endothermal vs. Ectothermal and which one defines a mammal. What mammals are dwelling at the Preserve? When one animal populates an area, what other animal helps keep this mammal under control? What are the benefits of harvesting predator vs. prey? What happens if one animal stays or another leaves?

Sept 16, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Climate Change
Our environment is trying to tell us something, whether it is global warming or another transition or Earth shouting out and asking for help. What are the signs of a good eco-system? Come learn about Climate Change and what we can do to help protect our planet.

Saturday, Sept 22, 10:00am – 12:00pm – Tree Talk & Walk
There is a lot of diversity amongst the canopy, is it a conifer or deciduous tree? Leaves are changing and trees are going to rest as fall approaches. From Birch to Butternut, we’ll explore the area of the West Trail. Wear your comfy shoes and long pants. Meet at South Grimes Hill Road entrance.

Sept 23, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Turning Leaves
Our season is changing to fall. Learn about the ways a plant goes dormant to learning why the leaves change when they do. Explore the resources of certain species of trees. Learn to identify the leaves in your own backyard.

Sept 30, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Wings, Migration & Hibernation
What’s happening in the woods and around our homes? What are the animals doing to get ready for the colder season? We’ll explore and touch wings! From flightless birds to soaring birds, come discover the ways and means of how birds migrate.

Oct 7, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Hibernation, continued (last program)
What’s happening in the woods and around our homes? What are the animals doing to get ready for the colder season?

Programs are free * Donations are welcomed
For more information, contact the museum at 518-642-1515.

August Programs at the Preserve

Pember Nature Preserve Programs
6937 NY 22, Hebron (Porter Schoolhouse)

Programs start when you arrive on Sundays! Most are typically an hour-long and the last one starts at 2:00pm. Hands-on activities are included in each program. The facility will be open from 11:00am to 3:00pm for visitors.

Aug 5, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Marshes
Come learn about the benefits of a marsh ecosystem. Did you know that some organisms live primarily on decaying vegetation? A hands-on activity will be included. There are several types of wetlands: swamps, marshes, bogs, and fens. Beth will be teaching the benefits of our ecosystem & what may look like a rotting log to some, mushy, decaying and dark. A Bog is an essential part of our wetlands as it promotes growth, food and homes for many of our microorganisms and many of our aquatic animals reside near the bogs. Marshes are similar and within the swamp you will learn the differences of each. Then grab a map and take a hike on our trails to discover microorganisms along the way.

Aug 12, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Geology Rocks
Get out from under that rock and stop by to explore what’s on the floor. Did you know the glaciers came through Hebron NY and up through the valley? The ledges on the trails tell a story and the natural history of our area is an ecologically balanced and complex piece of the puzzle. Throughout history the moving and shaping of earth has transformed many wonders that continue to be researched.  A craft activity will follow the program.

SATURDAY Aug 18, 10:00am – 12:00pm – Butterflies & Beetles Hike
Join the Pember for a Butterflies & Beetles guided hike for all ages. We’ll explore both species and discuss our responsibilities for these migrating insects. We’ll look up and lift rocks and logs. Let’s discover what’s happening when these important species need to adapt to our climate change.

Our “Winged Migration” is not only birds but many animals in the classification called the “Kingdom.” Let’s discover why each species flies to its geographic location.

How can we do our part to keep our natural world healthy?

Aug 19, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Tracks & Trails
Beth will share ways of identifying prints left in dirt or soil and identifying scat. Discover what’s travelling the trails during the night. A game camera is going to be on the trails and there will be a presentation of the findings.

From size, shape, color, traces or markings, animals come in all shapes and sizes. Explore the unusual ways of how Mammals poop. Know a Turkey scrap to a buck rub, to a snail’s crawl and a foxes call. There are so many ways to figure out who’s in your backyard by what the animal has left behind. Walk the Nature trails and discover who or what was in the path. A hands-on activity will be included in the program.

Aug 26, 11:00am – 2:00pm – Reptiles & Amphibians
Come discover and learn the important role these slithery and slimy creatures have in our region. Why does the Red-Eft/Newt return to its original birthplace and why do turtles travel when they do? Stop by and learn the differences of a turtle to a tortoise and a snake to a salamander. Discover the unique characteristics and differences. Herpetofauna is the study of Reptiles and Amphibians. Although some are similar, what makes them connect to water, marshes or bogs or all of them?

Programs are free
Donations are welcomed

July Programs at the Nature Preserve

The Pember is opening the historic Porter Schoolhouse (Pember’s Nature Center) every Sunday from June 3 through October 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Beth Moser-Duquette will be presenting programs each week with some including a craft project. There is no specific start time. Participants can show up at their convenience as long as it’s not 30 minutes before the nature center closes. Visitors can also pop in to create a walking stick, grab a trail map or rest from a hike. There will also be a featured program once a month on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Schoolhouse is located about 6937 NY 22 in Hebron with the sign reading “Hebron Nature Preserve.”

Please note that the last class on Sundays begin at 2:00 p.m. in order for us to close by 3:00 p.m.

July 1, 11:00am – 3:00 pm. – Seeds and Such
Stop by during our open hours and Beth, our Naturalist will share the many splendor of seeds from what we plant, sow and eat to what we find as a nuisance. Is it a weed? It may have healthy benefits and be edible, too. We will explore the onsite teaching garden, engage in the history and the origins of seeds and the plants our ancestors brought to the New World. This curriculum will tie in the flora & fauna, and teach children and families that certain plants are okay in some regions, but not in others. A recap of invasive species and how the seeds travel throughout the area. A craft activity will be available.

July 8, 11:00am – 3:00 pm. – It all began with a Larvae
Stop by throughout the day and Beth, our Naturalist will present to you an introduction to Entomology. Learn and explore garden insects and what’s “bugging” the plants. She will share the metamorphosis and the structure of an insect, pollinators and more. There will be an opportunity to make a Journal and you and/or your family can explore the area of the Nature Preserve and see what insects are among us.

July 15, 11:00am – 3:00 pm. – The Teaching Garden
By this time the onsite Teaching Garden should be in full bloom with Beth, our Naturalist busy getting it ready to explore. Learn about the benefits of each flower to shrub, learn a little Latin and use your artistic skills to help make new signs. We’ll have watercolor and other supplies to make your signs stand out! If your sign gets selected, we’ll photograph the art and utilize it within the “teaching garden.”

SATURDAY, July 21, 10:00am – Noon – A guided hands-on hike!
Beth, our Naturalist will take you on a wildflower walk to search for and label beautiful wildflowers! In addition, she’ll educate you on invasive plants. Wear good hiking shoes, bring a bottle of water and let’s explore!

July 22, 11:00am – 3:00pm – Flora and Fauna 
Oh, the colors are bursting and there are so many beautiful flowers within our diverse trails. The scents are in the air and it’s time to come for a hike and find the illusive “Jack in the Pulpit.” We’ll use the onsite “Teaching Garden” to help with learning the differences of seed to pod to plant to shrub. There are many amazing plants and “fauna” (animals) that have a symbiotic relationship to one another. We’ll look at roots and rhizomes and learn the importance of why each plant has a place in our ecosystem. However, without the flora, you’ll not have the fauna. Animals play an important role in our environment. The Nature Preserve is the place to come explore the diverse relationship.

All living things have these characteristics in common:
· Each are made of cells
· They acquire and use energy
· They grow and develop
· They reproduce
· They respond to their environment
· They have the ability to evolve and adapt to the environment

A craft activity will follow.

July 29, 11:00am – 3:00pm- BONES!
Beth will be teaching the role of a forensic anthropologist. Have you been on a hike and discovered a bone? Learn the process and solve the pieces of the puzzle to discover what you may have found. There will be hands-on learning for those who want to hold a femur or feel the sutures of a deer skull. Have you held the bones of a muskrat? Come discover and learn what we’ve found that teach us about our past. A Craft activity will be available and you’ll be able to wear and keep your work of art.

Egypt After-school

We learned about modern day Egypt in our after-school program on April 24th and participants created several cat mummies.

Owl Week Pics

Owls were the featured topic during Winter Break last week. Each day participants received two informational owl cards along with word searches, crosswords, and coloring sheets. A different craft program was presented each day. 2/20 – Great Horned Owl & Long-eared Owl with cricut owl craft & scratch art, 2/21 – Barred Owl & Barn Owl with tree owl and tissue paper owl crafts, 2/22 – Snowy Owl and Short-eared Owl with wooden standing owl and paper roll owl crafts, 2/23 – Eastern Screech Owl and Northern Saw-whet Owl with mosaic sticker owl craft.

Silent Wings returns

If you haven’t visited our Facebook page, seen the newspaper or the flyer at the library and museum, then you might not know that the bird of prey program Silent Wings will be at the library tomorrow (May 6) from 3:30-4:30pm. The program is being sponsored by the Southern Adirondack Audubon Society. Come watch and be thrilled!

Trish and her Red-tailed Hawk with the same expression?

Collections Database

Online Database
The Museum’s online database features more than 6,000 collection items. Each listing contains a description, photo of the item and more.

Research collections of the Pember Museum are available to the public for the following collection units:

• Amphibians (1 record)
• Birds (1,363 records)
• Botany (1,444 records)
• Eggs (884 records)
• Geology (382 records)
• Insects (1,601 records)
• Invertebrates (273 records)
• Mammals (152 records)
• Reptiles (32 records)

Easy to follow directions can be found on the site itself.

We constantly add new data and correct information in the records. If you see an error in the data please contact us. For questions regarding the collection, or online database, contact the Pember at 518-642-1515 or email at pember_edu@roadrunner.com.

Click here to view the database.

Around the World with Hudson Falls

The Pember Museum presented a couple programs to third graders at the Hudson Falls Primary School in Hudson Falls, NY on Tuesday, May 13th. Animals presented were Moose, Red Fox, Grey Fox, American Alligator, North Chinese Leopard, Red Kangaroo and a live Yellow-naped Amazon Parrot. The children knew some of the facts presented and it was exciting to see their eager faces to learn. Touching and exploring was a big hit too. However, Barnyard the Parrot was an even bigger hit than the touchable specimens. She delighted everyone!

The Pember thanks HFPS for inviting us to their school.

It should be noted that the specimen North Chinese Leopard is on personal loan to Pember Educator Bernadette Hoffman by the owner of Flag Acres Zoo. It was a zoo animal and when it died of old age, the owners wanted to honor it by using the pelt and skull for educational programs. Although the owners of the zoo retired, Bernadette has been granted use of the artifact for her wildlife programs.

 

Volunteers Needed

Although the Museum has some volunteers, it isn’t nearly enough for coverage at the museum on Fridays and Saturdays. Museum experience is not necessary. If you’re an honest person, willing to donate 4 or 5 hours a month by sitting, greeting, answering, and calculating…then we need you. The work is not difficult but it is important. It’s turning on the lights and making sure they are all turned off before exiting the building. You greet people as they enter the museum, give them a 2 minute brief of the museum (already written) and log them in on the attendance sheet. It’s answering the phone and taking messages. It’s attending to the gift shop by selling items to our visitors. It’s being honest enough not to steal the mere pittance we take in the gift shop.  There is library staff downstairs ready to answer your questions, should you have a problem. There’s a check list for our volunteers so you don’t have to memorize the location of the light switches. It’s making sure food and drinks are not brought into the museum and that children act accordingly. It’s allowing Lucy the Library Cat to come and sit in your lap. Sometimes there are many visitors (over 20) and sometimes there might be no one. But you never know when there might be a visitor and therefore we need coverage. Bernie is only part-time working Tues-Thurs which is why we need volunteers for those Fridays and Saturdays. Friday hours are 1-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm.

If you are able to donate your time, please call the museum and talk to Bernie at 642-1515 or stop by to pick up a volunteer form.

THANK YOU!