Science-crazy kids don’t have to worry about being bored this summer. The Royal Saskatchewan Museum (RSM) has coordinated an array of activities for active, curious, young people.
“School is out, but that doesn’t mean that learning stops,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Mark Docherty said. “The RSM works hard to offer engaging programming all summer long. In fact, the summer months are often the museum’s busiest.”
Families who are interested in learning how scientists work out in the field and in the lab could have visited the RSM for special drop-in fi eld day on July 10. Or they may visit on the July 28 with Biology Field Day and August 18 with Archaeology Field Day. People will be able to participate in hands-on activities, such as catching bugs and excavating fossils or artifacts in a special “dig box.” Field days run from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
The RSM’s summer exhibit, “Insects, Flowers and Food,” explores the importance of pollinators, such as bees, and the history of pollination. Every Wednesday at 2 p.m. families can participate in the Pollination Station, a 30-minute drop-in program based on the exhibit aimed at kids five and older. Participants may build butterfl y feeders, discover what would happen in a world without bees and learn how flowers attract pollinators.
There are four different programs to experience over the summer. Those five and under can enjoy Summer Storytime Thursdays at 10 a.m. They will listen to a story read by RSM staff, participate in related activities and wrap up the program with playtime in the Paleo Pit, a space full of toys and interactive activities such as puzzles, books and a colouring table. Staff will share a new story every week.
For the second year in a row, the RSM is offering Star of the Week, a program well-suited to kids who love collecting special souvenirs. Participants borrow a pair of binoculars and search the museum for a gold star. Those who find it will receive a collectable trading card—there are five in total—featuring the animal that the star is beside. Every two
weeks, the star will move to a new location.
The Friends of the RSM are once again offering their summer camps for kids entering Grades 1-5. Four and five day camps are available. Camps are themed and explore topics such as dinosaurs, marine life and geography.
Family-friendly activities are also taking place at the T.rex Discovery Centre in Eastend, located 400 kilometres west of Regina, throughout the summer.
