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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Play, Learn & SLIME!

Join us for Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play onSeptember 27th, 10am-12n— a jam-packed celebration of movement, fun, and fitness!

Learn pro tips from an AdventHealth Sports Medicine Specialist on the best snacks to fuel your body and simple daily moves to keep you in peak performance shape. Whether you’re into Baseball, Cheer, Football, Gymnastics, Soccer, Basketball, Dance — or ANY sport — staying strong and ready is the secret to success!

After that, hit the Patio Free Play Stations on the Terrace for hands-on fun and active games.

Then get ready, because it’s… TIME. TO. SLIME!

This is a FREE event — but space is limited and registration is required. Don’t miss out on the ultimate day of play!

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.

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.

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? 

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? 

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!)

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!)

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.

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.

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!

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!

Anybody up for some ice cream? Following the steps in this activity, you can make your own. July is a great time to enjoy some cold, refreshing ice cream. As with any kind of cooking and food making, there is science involved. There are chemical changes that happen when making ice cream, such as changes of state and the effect of adding substances that lower the freezing temperature of water. And in the end, you get to eat your science!

Anybody up for some ice cream? Following the steps in this activity, you can make your own. July is a great time to enjoy some cold, refreshing ice cream. As with any kind of cooking and food making, there is science involved. There are chemical changes that happen when making ice cream, such as changes of state and the effect of adding substances that lower the freezing temperature of water. And in the end, you get to eat your science!

Did you know that bats live in Kansas?  What do you think bats do in our native habitats, and where is the best place to find them?  There are a few different species native to Kansas, and part of what makes these animals mysterious is the fact that they are nocturnal.  Being nocturnal creatures, though, makes them a unique piece of the ecological puzzle.

There are also myths and misconceptions about bats - think vampire bats! - that leads to misunderstandings about these animals.  In this JAM, we will learn what makes these animals unique and beneficial to their habitats and to humans.

Did you know that bats live in Kansas?  What do you think bats do in our native habitats, and where is the best place to find them?  There are a few different species native to Kansas, and part of what makes these animals mysterious is the fact that they are nocturnal.  Being nocturnal creatures, though, makes them a unique piece of the ecological puzzle.

There are also myths and misconceptions about bats - think vampire bats! - that leads to misunderstandings about these animals.  In this JAM, we will learn what makes these animals unique and beneficial to their habitats and to humans.

What do snakes do for our native habitats here in northeast Kansas?  Can you identify any local snakes and which ones are potentially dangerous?  Snakes can be found in a variety of habitats - even in the KC metro, there are plenty of parks and natural areas where they can be found.  And more often than not, they will see you before you see them!

Sadly, snakes are often misunderstood animals.  While there certainly are dangerous snakes to watch out for, snakes play a vital role in their habitats as both predator and prey.  In this JAM, we will learn about these fascinating animals and maybe go on a walk in our wetlands to search for two common snakes we have in this area!

What do snakes do for our native habitats here in northeast Kansas?  Can you identify any local snakes and which ones are potentially dangerous?  Snakes can be found in a variety of habitats - even in the KC metro, there are plenty of parks and natural areas where they can be found.  And more often than not, they will see you before you see them!

Sadly, snakes are often misunderstood animals.  While there certainly are dangerous snakes to watch out for, snakes play a vital role in their habitats as both predator and prey.  In this JAM, we will learn about these fascinating animals and maybe go on a walk in our wetlands to search for two common snakes we have in this area!

How do rockets travel into space? You may know that it takes fuel to simply get a rocket off the ground and that the rocket also needs to escape the Earth’s gravity to actually get out of our orbit…which requires a lot of fuel! Fuel can, and has been, made in different ways to generate the forces required to lift rockets. In this aero engineering-themed JAM, you will learn how fuel helps generate these forces—by launching a film canister. You will use two simple ingredients to make your fuel, change the ratios after each launch, and make observations about how the changes in fuel ingredients affects their distance traveled.

How do rockets travel into space? You may know that it takes fuel to simply get a rocket off the ground and that the rocket also needs to escape the Earth’s gravity to actually get out of our orbit…which requires a lot of fuel! Fuel can, and has been, made in different ways to generate the forces required to lift rockets. In this aero engineering-themed JAM, you will learn how fuel helps generate these forces—by launching a film canister. You will use two simple ingredients to make your fuel, change the ratios after each launch, and make observations about how the changes in fuel ingredients affects their distance traveled.

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.

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.