SESSION CALENDAR 2020-21
METEOROLOGY
September 8 - October 2, 2020
Boulder Ridge Animal Park
Kids Food Basket farm
Little meteorologists will learn about the work of meteorologists as they observe, describe, record, and predict the weather. They will learn about what goes into weather reporting, working with weather map symbols, building weather instruments, and giving their own weather report.
GEOGRAPHY
October 12 - November 20, 2020
Grand Rapids Public Museum
Kingman Museum
Novice geographers will explore the Earth as they learn to read maps, follow directions, and figure out tools they need to go geocaching. They will go beyond identifying the physical features of the Earth, understanding how humans interact with the world around them. They will tackle real life challenges such as analyzing how California rations water during a drought and researching the many ways climate change impacts humans across the globe.
CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD
November 30 - December 18, 2020
Frederik Meijer Gardens
It's the most wonderful time of the year to learn about how Christmas is celebrated in different parts of the world. Our children will explore geography, history, and folklore, while enjoying the festive mood of the Christmas season.
ANCIENT WORLD HISTORY
January 4 - February 12, 2021
Holland Museum
Field Museum
Oriental Institute Museum
Time travelers will create an itinerary which will take in specially chosen sites to provide a clear picture of the key developments of the ancient world. The children will learn about the different nations, civilizations and empires, each with their own distinct histories, but each contributing to the larger history of humankind.
ASTRONOMY
February 22 - April 2, 2021
Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium
James C. Veen Obrservatory
Abrams Planetarium
Junior astronomers will explore the solar system, the stars, planets, and moon, comparing and contrasting their similarities and differences. They will also investigate what is in motion in our solar system, that Earth's movements give us the day and the year, that gravity keeps planets in orbit around the sun, and the moon in orbit around the earth.
GEOLOGY
April 12 - May 21, 2021
Calvin Ecosystem Preserve
Bruce Dice Mineralogical Museum
Geology trainees will use a variety of techniques to observe and classify different types of rocks and minerals. They will also discover the interior of the Earth, learn how the magnetic field works, and unearth the story of Plate Tectonics.