Saturday, March 6, 9:00 am - 5:00 PM
From rocks, minerals, and fossils to earthquakes, volcanoes, and meteorites, explore the dynamic history of planet Earth in a day-long family festival with hands-on activities and displays focused on geology and related sciences. Experience the museum’s unique collections in a new way and talk with scientists and collectors about their work in the field and behind the scenes. Participate in activity tables throughout the museum. Test natural
pigments made from the Earth. See microbes that need minerals to
breathe. Make a sediment tube to mimic the formation of some rocks.
Examine rocks from volcanoes, look at fossils older than dinosaurs,
marvel at fluorescent minerals, and learn about collecting minerals in
New England with members of the Boston Mineral Club. And, even bring in
your own rock or mineral to be identified by an expert.
Special programs include a noon time DVD screening of the award-winning
documentary, Volcanoes of the Deep Sea, followed by a
question-and-answer discussion with Harvard biologist and deep-sea vent
expert Colleen Cavanaugh. At 2:00 pm, Harvard geologist Robert Ackert
will give an illustrated talk titled, Antarctica: Tracking the
World’s Largest Glaciers about Harvard’s research field trips to the
South Pole. At 3:30 pm, Harvard undergrad Caitlin Rotman will present, Boston
Rocks: How the City Was Formed - From the Ice Age to the Big Dig,
an illustrated journey through Boston’s glacial past and its man-made
present.
Free with museum admission. For families with children of all ages. Free parking available in the School of
Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) parking lot, enter from 33
Oxford Street, Cambridge.
To share this event with others download the Earth Rocks poster.
Earth Rocks is made possible in part with support from Cambridge Trust Company.
Photo by Tony Rinaldo.
