MEDIA CONTACT:
Sally Anne Giedrys
Communications Manager
sgiedrys@ecotarium.org
(508) 929-2738
(WORCESTER, MA)&emdash; EcoTarium is the place to be during school vacation week, especially if you're into herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians). During the week, families can:
Program details follow.
Spring has Sprung!
Day-Long Adventures for Kids
Tuesday, April 19 through Friday, April 23, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Enjoy spring as never
before when you spend a day-- or four-- exploring the outdoors. Each
day is a new adventure. Plan to use microscopes, telescopes, digital
cameras, and your own eyes. Bring a bag lunch and we'll provide the
snacks. Ages 7-12. Members: $41, $148 for four days. Non-members:
$46, $166 for four days. Call early to register.
Tuesday, April 20, Tree Trails Climb into the trees and travel trails. There's more to a forest than meets the eye, so you'll need to use our microscopes and hand lenses for a closer look.
Wednesday, April 21, Meadow-morphosis How many flowers can you find in one meadow? Get your "tools" out for up close investigations and find out what besides bees keeps a meadow abuzz.
Thursday, April 22, Oceans Alive Is there a whale in the museum? Could be. Up-close, you'll see sea stars, crabs, urchins and lots of sea creatures.
Friday, April 23, Wet and Wild Investigate what's going on in and around our ponds. Become a water tester and meet some watery creatures. Join in our Earth Day Festival.
Herp, Herp, Hooray!
Ongoing Activities for Families
Monday, April 19 - Thursday, April 22, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
From sticky tongues and
poisonous skin to gripping toes and instant camouflage, kids explore
the coolest things about reptiles and amphibians during this
activity-filled week. Daily Schedule, Monday through Thursday:
Pond Poking Head outdoors to our freshwater pond with nets and buckets in hand. Explore what kidns of herps live in and around the water. Ages 4 and up. 11:45 a.m., 1:45 p.m.
Live Animal Encounters Snakes and turtles and salamanders, oh my! Meet them in our indoor forest. Ages 4 and up. 11:15 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Discovery Station Learn all about turtles when you examine hands-on biofacts. Find out how turtles adapt to New England environments. Ages 4 and up.
Storytime Settle in with the childhood favorite, The Foolish Tortoise, to discover what happens when a turtle thinks he'd be happier without his shell. Meet a live turtle too! Ages 3-5. 2:30 p.m.
Earth Day Festival
Friday, April 23, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Go "beyond green" this
Earth Day into the multicolored world of frogs! Enjoy Frogs! the
traveling exhibit, our frog jumping contest, the dazzling tricks of
Frankie D. and Jazzy J. Master Magicians, puppet shows with Kings Way
Puppet Shows, music by Chuck and Mud and lots more. Get festive with
cotton candy and popcorn. New England Reptile Distributors will be on
hand for three live animal programs with colorful frogs, a six-foot
water monitor lizard and a 95-pound snapping turtle! Half-price
admission all day ($4 adult, $3 child 3-18). Other offers not valid.
Supported in part byToday's Parent Magazine.
Sky-High Safari on the
Tree Canopy Walkway
Saturday, April 17 - Saturday, April 24, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and
3:30 p.m.
Get a bird's eye view of
the forest as you walk through with a knowledgeable guide. Use
cameras, field guides and your senses to identify trees and what
lives in their upper reaches. It's an experience you won't find
anywhere else. Ages 7 and up. Children under 16 must be accompanied
by an adult. Make reservations early. Space is limited to eight
participants per program. $12 per person, plus museum admisison.
Members: $10. There is no 11:30 a.m. program on Sunday, April
18.
Planetarium Programs Tickets $3.00 per person, per show.
What's Up? Join a museum astronomer for a look at the clouds, sun, moon, stars and other things that are up in this preschool program. Recommended for ages 3-6. Daily during vacation week at noon. Sunday, April 18 and 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Night Skies of Spring When is it officially spring? Learn what occurs in the sky to begin this heralded season. Then tour the night sky with our astronomer to discover what you can see without a telescope. What's on astronomers' minds this season? We'll tell you. 35 minutes. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Daily during vacation week at 2:15 p.m. Sunday, April 18 and 25 at 2:30 p.m.
Keeper Caper
Saturday, April 24, 10 a.m.
Travel behind the scenes
to find out what the EcoTarium's animals eat and make some meals
yourself. Join wildlife staff and help with the morning care. Ages 6
and up. Cost: $12 adult, $10 child. Members, $10, $8. 120 minutes.
Call for reservations.
Wild Toys
Sunday, April 25, 1 p.m.
Make a toy for a fox and
watch it play. What would entertain an otter? From special scents to
puzzling feeders, it's time to get creative. Dress for walking
outdoors. Ages 6 and up; $5 plus admission. Members, $4. 90
minutes.
EcoTarium is an indoor-outdoor museum dedicated to exploring the natural world. The museum offers three floors of interactive exhibits, wildlife habitats, interpretive nature trails, ponds, an award-winning meadow, a planetarium, and a narrow-gauge railroad. The museum, located at 222 Harrington Way in Worcester, Mass., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 12 to 5 p.m. Open selected Monday holidays and Mondays during school vacation weeks. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for seniors, college students and children ages 3-18. Free parking is available. For information, please call (508) 929-2700 or email info@ecotarium.org.