Science Spectacular with Minnesota Arts & Culture - 2011
The MSUM College of Social and Natural Science Outreach program which includes the MSUM Regional Science Center and Planetarium would like to work with the Moorhead Library to offer family friendly programs from February through May of 2011. Two programs would be offered a month - one on a week night and one on a Saturday. The two programs would be related to one another. For example, the theme for one month might be Owls. The Saturday program would be a craft program, producing an owl calling instrument. The Thursday night program would feature a book discussion or small literary program on Owls (perhaps the Guardians of Gahoole Series and Owl non-fiction and fiction materials), followed by an outdoor family hike with a nature guide to call for owls. Other themes to choose from include the following:
- Astronomy - Observational Astronomy including constellation mythology, both ancient and Native American.
- Kinetic Art - Physics based and created art using electricity, optics, and motion.
- Avian Natural History - Observing and attracting MN birds is the underlying vehicle to understanding behaviors and Native mythology of our area birds.
- Cultural Anthropology - Trying to understand the stories behind the decorative clay pots made by local Native cultures.
- Other topics include Natural Plant Dyes used in art and paper making and moon mythology and mystery based on modern and ancient art, stories, and science about the moon.
Event Dates, Locations and Attendance at each individual event:
03/03/2011 - Moon Mythology Across Cultures - Presentation of the varied cultural and natural history associated with the moon and lunar events. - 22
03/05/2011 - Telescope Images: Drawing What You See - Building telescopes and interpreting telescopic images through drawing. - 45
04/07/2011 - The Science of Art Through Time - Presentation of the history and chemistry of colors used in painting through the ages. - 20
04/09/2011 - Ceramic Science - Creating with clay and learning about the science of ceramics. - 37
05/05/2011 - Bird Symbolism among Native Cultures - Presentation featuring how birds are used as symbols in native cultures around the world. - 1
05/07/2011 - Guardians of Ga'Hoole : Scratching the Surface - Using scratchboards to create interpretations and images of birds. - 11
136 people attended these programs at the Moorhead Library.
Partner Organization(s):
The MSUM College of Social and Natural Science Outreach program which includes the MSUM Regional Science Center and Planetarium.
Partner Organization(s)
Contribution/Role in the Program: All workshops and programs were led by MSUM staff or volunteers. The Science Center assisted in the promotion of the program by adverting in their newsletter and blog.
Measurable Outcomes may be collected by survey, anecdotal responses, pre-test/post-test, observations; Describe proposed end user change in Behavior, Attitude, Skills, Knowledge, Condition and/or Status.Families will gain a greater knowledge of art, science, culture, and nature during these hands-on programs. We will survey participants and facilitators, both in person and in print regarding the affects of the programs. In addition, this could be the beginning of a very valuable community partnership, which will benefit the Moorhead Community. As the art/craft projects are selected, we will have a better understanding of what type of skills will be obtained.
Telescope Images survey summary:
- Not rated - (0), 1- (0), 2 - (0), 3 - (0), 4 - (0), 5 - (8), Average (5.00)
What did you like best about the program?
- Good help with the project and they were good with the kids
- Very helpful & knowledgeable instructors
- Free telescope and nice instructions
- Building a telescope WOW!! (2)
- Have not found many activities like this that are geared to kids, but also appeal to my son's scientific interest, Thank you!
- Thank you for the wonderful opportunity!!!!
- Everything
- Building a telescope (2)
What did you expect to experience or learn from this presentation? Were your expectations met?
- Yes (5)
- Very happy with the project
- How to make and use a telescope (2)
What other programs would you like to see offered at the library?
- Not sure
- Other science classes
- More the same
- How the sun was created, how space was created
How did you hear about the program?The Science of Art Through Time survey results:
- Not rated - (0), 1- (0), 2 - (0), 3 - (0), 4 - (0), 5 - (4), Average (5.00)
What did you like best about the program?
- Explanation followed by hands-on demonstration & experimentation
- Brett, the presenter, kept to the level of the children, he was interesting and dynamic
- He had an excellent temperament for teaching a mixed age and generational audience, he was excellent
How he worked so well with all the childrenWhat did you expect to experience or learn from this presentation? Were your expectations met?
- Wasn't sure what to expect (2); learning experience
- Yes
- I was very impressed
- I expected more lecture and less hands-on; this was not bad however; I was satisfied
- To learn basic information on how to use pigments
What other programs would you like to see offered at the library?
- Astronomy
- Story's in Stone
How did you hear about the program?Ceramic Science survey results:
- Not rated - (0), 1- (0), 2 - (0), 3 - (0), 4 - (4), 5- (6), Average (4.60)
What did you like best about the program?
- Hands on
- Very kid friendly, lots of hands-on
- Freedom to be creative w/child
- Great people teaching event
- Fun!
- Creating with clay
- Creative opportunity
- Great trust of kids to discover their own style cultural component
What did you expect to experience or learn from this presentation? Were your expectations met?
- Yes (10)
- It seemed kind of rushed, however
- Clay basics - building techniques, properties
- Learn basics of ceramics (4)
- Learn something new
What other programs would you like to see offered at the library?
- Art things - painting
- Craft things for kids
- More art (2)
- Science events
- Similar art classes
How did you hear about the program?Bird Symbolism among Native Cultures
- Not rated ~ (0), 1~ (0), 2 ~ (0), 3 ~ (0), 4 ~ (1), 5 ~ (4), Average (4.80)
What did you like best about the program?
- Learning about the birds
- New experience in owl background w/art
- Doing the art
- Teaching technique
- The project was wonderful & the info was great
What did you expect to experience or learn from this presentation? Were your expectations met?
- Learn more about the science center programs at Buffalo State Park
- Using a blackboard
- I learned many facts about owls and different styles of art
- How to make a sun board
What other programs would you like to see offered at the library?
- Fishing the Red River from the shore
- Keep up with what you are offering
- More programs about birds!
- More like this
How did you hear about the program?Guardians of Ga'Hoole : Scratching the Surface
- Not rated - (0), 1- (0), 2 - (0), 3 - (0), 4 - (0), 5 - (3), Average (5.00)
What did you like best about the program?
- The teacher was very patient & helpful
- The teacher was nice
- The owls
What did you expect to experience or learn from this presentation? Were your expectations met?
- Beginner level scratching
- Yes
- I expected to learn how to draw an owl
What other programs would you like to see offered at the library?
- How to paint owls
How did you hear about the program?Please rate the quality of this program: (Using 1-5 scale, with 5 being excellent and 1 being poor) Prior to this program, have you ever attended a program at the library or sponsored by the library? Yes (5) - No (3) Program flier - 0Information/poster at the library - 1Information/poster in the community - 0Library newsletter - 0Library web site - 0Newspaper/magazine - 0Radio - 0Television - 0From library staff - 3From another person - 4 Check your age range: Birth to 5 (1), 6-17 (9), 18-54 (7), 55 and over (0)What is your zip code? 56560 (8) Do you have a current library card? Yes - 8 No - 0 # of evaluations received: 8 Please rate the quality of this program: (Using 1-5 scale, with 5 being excellent and 1 being poor) Prior to this program, have you ever attended a program at the library or sponsored by the library? Yes (2) - No (2) Program flier - 1Information/poster at the library - 1Information/poster in the community - 0Library newsletter - 0Library web site - 0Newspaper/magazine - 2Radio - 0Television - 0From library staff - 1From another person - 0 Check your age range: Birth to 5 (0), 6-17 (1), 18-54 (2), 55 and over (1)What is your zip code? 56560 (2) 58102 (2) Do you have a current library card? Yes - 3 No - 1 # of evaluations received: 4 Please rate the quality of this program: (Using 1-5 scale, with 5 being excellent and 1 being poor Prior to this program, have you ever attended a program at the library or sponsored by the library? Yes (8) - No (2) Program flier - 3Information/poster at the library - 2Information/poster in the community - 2Library newsletter - 0Library web site - 0Newspaper/magazine - 0Radio - 0Television - 0From library staff - 2From another person - 3 Check your age range: Birth to 5 (0), 6-17 (5), 18-54 (10), 55 and over (0)What is your zip code? 56560 (7) 58102 (2) 56529 (1) Do you have a current library card? Yes - 10 No - 0 # of evaluations received: 10 Please rate the quality of this program: (Using 1-5 scale, with 5 being excellent and 1 being poor) Prior to this program, have you ever attended a program at the library or sponsored by the library? Yes (4) - No (1) Program flier - 0Information/poster at the library - 1Information/poster in the community - 0Library newsletter - 0Library web site - 0Newspaper/magazine - 2Radio - 0Television - 0From library staff - 3From another person - 0 Check your age range: Birth to 5 (0), 6-17 (1), 18-54 (2), 55 and over (2)What is your zip code? 56560 (1) - 58102 (4)Do you have a current library card? Yes - 5 No - 0 # of evaluations: 5 Please rate the quality of this program: (Using 1-5 scale, with 5 being excellent and 1 being poor) Prior to this program, have you ever attended a program at the library or sponsored by the library? Yes (2) - No (1) Program flier - 2Information/poster at the library - 0Information/poster in the community - 0Library newsletter - 1Library web site - 0Newspaper/magazine - 0Radio - 0Television - 0From library staff - 1From another person - 1 Check your age range: Birth to 5 (0), 6-17 (2), 18-54 (1), 55 and over (0)What is your zip code? 56560 (3) Do you have a current library card? Yes - 3 No - 0 # of evaluations received: 3