Winter will be arriving shortly, and the birds are hurrying to find food before it arrives. In this unique craft activity, you will build your own bird feeder out of everyday materials. All materials will be provided by the MAP. We'll also learn about bird beaks and how different beak shapes can give you clues about its diet. By the end of the JAM, you will leave with some bird knowledge and a feeder you can hang in your own yard!

Winter will be arriving shortly, and the birds are hurrying to find food before it arrives. In this unique craft activity, you will build your own bird feeder out of everyday materials. All materials will be provided by the MAP. We'll also learn about bird beaks and how different beak shapes can give you clues about its diet. By the end of the JAM, you will leave with some bird knowledge and a feeder you can hang in your own yard!

Humans use a lot of materials. In many ways, figuring out how materials found in nature has been hugely beneficial for us - our modern technology wouldn’t be possible without a few simple minerals under the ground we stand on! On the other hand, we’re realizing that many of these materials aren’t being used smartly and responsibly. Where do our materials come from, and will they last forever? We’ll do some interactive activities in this JAM that will show you how understanding these basic ideas can help you to be better informed about our natural resources.

Humans use a lot of materials. In many ways, figuring out how materials found in nature has been hugely beneficial for us - our modern technology wouldn’t be possible without a few simple minerals under the ground we stand on! On the other hand, we’re realizing that many of these materials aren’t being used smartly and responsibly. Where do our materials come from, and will they last forever? We’ll do some interactive activities in this JAM that will show you how understanding these basic ideas can help you to be better informed about our natural resources.

Do you have an empty water bottle lying around? Before you decide to recycle that bottle, you can give it life as a bottle racer. In this engineering activity, you will learn how to turn an ordinary empty water bottle into a rolling machine propelled by energy generated from a rubber band. We will demonstrate two main types of energy in the process: potential and kinetic. Rubber bands store a special type of potential energy, called elastic energy. If you’ve ever used a slingshot before, you know the power of elastic energy!

Do you have an empty water bottle lying around? Before you decide to recycle that bottle, you can give it life as a bottle racer. In this engineering activity, you will learn how to turn an ordinary empty water bottle into a rolling machine propelled by energy generated from a rubber band. We will demonstrate two main types of energy in the process: potential and kinetic. Rubber bands store a special type of potential energy, called elastic energy. If you’ve ever used a slingshot before, you know the power of elastic energy!

Kansas used to be underwater…multiple times! One way we know this is by observing the fossils we find in the rocks. You might be surprised at just how many fossils you can find just by taking a walk on a local trail! In fact, that is exactly what we will do in the JAM and see what we find. You will also be given a fossil page with pictures, which you can use to help you with identification.

There is a long history, going back thousands of years, of plants and animals being drawn and painted. Some of the most beautiful flower drawings and paintings were carefully made by illustrators who spent hundreds of hours drawing a just a few flowers because it was important to be accurate! In this JAM, we won't make you draw or paint for hundreds of hours, but you can practice illustrating using a flower from our wetlands.

Kansas used to be underwater…multiple times! One way we know this is by observing the fossils we find in the rocks. You might be surprised at just how many fossils you can find just by taking a walk on a local trail! In fact, that is exactly what we will do in the JAM and see what we find. You will also be given a fossil page with pictures, which you can use to help you with identification.

There is a long history, going back thousands of years, of plants and animals being drawn and painted. Some of the most beautiful flower drawings and paintings were carefully made by illustrators who spent hundreds of hours drawing a just a few flowers because it was important to be accurate! In this JAM, we won't make you draw or paint for hundreds of hours, but you can practice illustrating using a flower from our wetlands.

Late September is the best time to be out in our wetlands to see the greatest variety of wildflowers in bloom. Did you ever wonder how scientists and artists used to record images of living things before the invention of the camera?

There is a long history, going back thousands of years, of plants and animals being drawn and painted. Some of the most beautiful flower drawings and paintings were carefully made by illustrators who spent hundreds of hours drawing a just a few flowers because it was important to be accurate! In this JAM, we won't make you draw or paint for hundreds of hours, but you can practice illustrating using a flower from our wetlands.

Late September is the best time to be out in our wetlands to see the greatest variety of wildflowers in bloom. Did you ever wonder how scientists and artists used to record images of living things before the invention of the camera?

There is a long history, going back thousands of years, of plants and animals being drawn and painted. Some of the most beautiful flower drawings and paintings were carefully made by illustrators who spent hundreds of hours drawing a just a few flowers because it was important to be accurate! In this JAM, we won't make you draw or paint for hundreds of hours, but you can practice illustrating using a flower from our wetlands.

Continuing with an engineering theme, we will learn about catapults and how to make them. In the past, we constructed them using craft sticks and rubber bands. As a twist, this time you will be tasked with coming up with your own design. We will provide a range of materials you can use, but you are free to make whatever design you like with the materials.

Think about what you want your catapult to do. Do you want it to fling multiple marshmallows at once, or do you want to keep it single and just make a design that flings a single marshmallow as far as it can? Think of the physics involved for your chosen design.

Continuing with an engineering theme, we will learn about catapults and how to make them. In the past, we constructed them using craft sticks and rubber bands. As a twist, this time you will be tasked with coming up with your own design. We will provide a range of materials you can use, but you are free to make whatever design you like with the materials.

Think about what you want your catapult to do. Do you want it to fling multiple marshmallows at once, or do you want to keep it single and just make a design that flings a single marshmallow as far as it can? Think of the physics involved for your chosen design.

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.

We all know that bees need flowers for their food source - they collect pollen to feed their young and feed on nectar as an energy source. What else would a bee need? Of course, they need shelter for constructing nests, such as cavities in trees. (Speaking of shelter, most bees actually nest in the ground and are solitary. The European honeybee is unusual since the vast majority of bees don’t make huge hives!)

Bees, like all animals, also need water. In this JAM, we will learn how to make a bee bath. It’s similar to a bird bath, but much smaller and constructed a little differently. Placing a small earthenware bath (like a clay pot) outside in a sheltered area in summer is a great way to provide a water source for our bees!

We all know that bees need flowers for their food source - they collect pollen to feed their young and feed on nectar as an energy source. What else would a bee need? Of course, they need shelter for constructing nests, such as cavities in trees. (Speaking of shelter, most bees actually nest in the ground and are solitary. The European honeybee is unusual since the vast majority of bees don’t make huge hives!)

Bees, like all animals, also need water. In this JAM, we will learn how to make a bee bath. It’s similar to a bird bath, but much smaller and constructed a little differently. Placing a small earthenware bath (like a clay pot) outside in a sheltered area in summer is a great way to provide a water source for our bees!

Did you know that there is a National Moth Week? This year, it will be from July 20-28. If you have done a summer JAM here in the past, you know that we tend to spend a lot of time outdoors in our wetlands. In doing so, we observe many different types of insects. Butterflies are some of the most recognizable insects out there, but did you know that there are far more species of moths than there are of butterflies?

We often don’t notice moths much for two reasons: they aren’t usually very colorful and most are active at night. In this JAM, we will take a close look at moths (as well as butterflies) through outside observations and a pollination experiment.

Did you know that there is a National Moth Week? This year, it will be from July 20-28. If you have done a summer JAM here in the past, you know that we tend to spend a lot of time outdoors in our wetlands. In doing so, we observe many different types of insects. Butterflies are some of the most recognizable insects out there, but did you know that there are far more species of moths than there are of butterflies?

We often don’t notice moths much for two reasons: they aren’t usually very colorful and most are active at night. In this JAM, we will take a close look at moths (as well as butterflies) through outside observations and a pollination experiment.

Anybody up for some ice cream? Following the steps in this activity, you can make your own. During this JAM, you will investigate water’s changes of state and the effect of adding substances that lower the freezing temperature of water. You may add some additional ingredients - you will probably want to! - to enhance the taste of your ice cream. In addition to the science, you will have the chance to appreciate how some of our all-time favorite foods were made by hand!

As we get into late spring, we see the effect of frequent and heavy rains on the land. This is especially noticeable along the banks of creeks and rivers. Flooding and riverbank erosion can be dangerous to nearby homes and other buildings that are not protected. Some engineers specialize in an area called flood mitigation, and these engineers work to design and construct methods for limiting the negative effects of flooding. This can include city layouts, avoiding development in low areas, and building barriers along rivers to keep flood waters from breaking their banks. In this JAM, you will design and construct your own barrier using a variety of provided materials (including moss) and test it out in our water table.

As we get into late spring, we see the effect of frequent and heavy rains on the land. This is especially noticeable along the banks of creeks and rivers. Flooding and riverbank erosion can be dangerous to nearby homes and other buildings that are not protected. Some engineers specialize in an area called flood mitigation, and these engineers work to design and construct methods for limiting the negative effects of flooding. This can include city layouts, avoiding development in low areas, and building barriers along rivers to keep flood waters from breaking their banks. In this JAM, you will design and construct your own barrier using a variety of provided materials (including moss) and test it out in our water table.

This year’s weather has been very unusual…65 degrees in the middle of winter! While this is certainly not unheard of, it is well above normal for this time of year. Why do we get such extreme temperature swings, and what does it mean for the climate? It’s complicated! While the climate is changing, there are other factors that determine weather patterns. Some of these occur in cycles. Also, there is a difference between weather and climate.

When it comes to weather, it boils down to wind and circulation caused by differences in temperature. To demonstrate this, we will observe what happens when hot water and cold water are slowly released into a tub of room temperature water. We will also examine the different types of weather events that result from wind, and how weather differs from climate.

This year’s weather has been very unusual…65 degrees in the middle of winter! While this is certainly not unheard of, it is well above normal for this time of year. Why do we get such extreme temperature swings, and what does it mean for the climate? It’s complicated! While the climate is changing, there are other factors that determine weather patterns. Some of these occur in cycles. Also, there is a difference between weather and climate.

When it comes to weather, it boils down to wind and circulation caused by differences in temperature. To demonstrate this, we will observe what happens when hot water and cold water are slowly released into a tub of room temperature water. We will also examine the different types of weather events that result from wind, and how weather differs from climate.

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. These animals can also tell us something about the health of our waterways.

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.

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. These animals can also tell us something about the health of our waterways.

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.

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.