Natural sciences museum launches virtual summer programs, birthday parties
The N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences has launched two new virtual summer programs for kids — Virtual Adventures with week-long online activities and instruction and birthday parties.
Virtual Adventures are designed for kids in second to third grade, fourth to sixth grade and ninth to 12th grade.
For younger kids, the week-long morning sessions include opportunities to explore their backyards and learn more about the plants and animals that live in the Triangle area. Each of the live programs comes with an Adventure Kit that kids can use to explore their yards and neighborhoods. Programs take place in late July and August.
"Activities are designed to be hands-on and encourage the development of skills in scientific thinking," according to the description. "Each kit comes with everything the child will need to participate in the activities and includes natural objects that children can continue to explore long after the program is over."
For high school students, Coding Basics and Beyond requires no coding experience. The week-long program runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily, the week of Aug. 10.
Fees for each of these virtual programs are $100 and $75 for museum members. Registration opens to the public at 9 a.m, June 29.
More information is on the museum's website
The museum also has launched virtual birthday parties, which include a virtual invitation, 45 minutes of program time, time for celebration and a virtual gift bag for each child. The cost is $125 or $100 for museum members.
Parties are limited to 10 participating guests, including the birthday child. Party themes are designed for ages 5 to 7 and ages 8 to 10.
"Museum educators will lead guests through an interactive educational presentation where they will discover unique specimens and collection items (such as skulls and shells), virtually visit exhibits, and play fun games along the way," according to the description.
Go to the museum's website for more information about these virtual birthday parties too.
The museum has been closed to the public since March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has canceled all of its in-person summer camps, but has been offering a host of virtual programs.
