July 2020 | KidFriendly DC

Discover the world of natural history science in a fun and interactive way! The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History is offering a FREE virtual summer program series called Natural History Summer Explorations. These week-long online programs, hosted by museum educators, allow students to explore their interests in ocean science, paleontology, and other natural history topics. Students will have daily live webinars with artists and Smithsonian science experts, do activities and projects, and create their own scientifically inspired artwork.

Natural History Summer Explorations are recommended for rising 3rd through 7th graders, but all are welcome to attend. Live video webinars will be presented in Zoom video from 11am – 12pm EDT daily, during these weekly sessions:

July 13-17: Deep Sea Adaptations
Dive into a virtual week of ocean explorations that looks at how science and art are interconnected. Daily live online programs will include demonstrations and conversations with museum scientists and artists who will explore adaptations of some amazing deep-sea animals through puppet making, drawing, dance and more! Each day will also include a self-directed activity that our young explorers can share with friends, family, and even our scientists and other participating explorers.

July 27-31: Paleo Art – The Edge of Extinction
Explore fossils! Join museum experts for a virtual week of explorations to learn how to use fossils to understand what life on our planet looked like in the past. Through daily live online demonstrations and conversations with museum scientists and artists, you will use fossil evidence to create your own science-based mural of a North American ecosystem just before the extinction of the dinosaurs! Each day will also include a self-directed activity that explorers can share with friends, family, and even our scientists and other participating explorers.

August 3-7: ¡Descubre la historia natural! / Discover Natural History!
Check our website at the link below for more information. Registration for this session, which will be conducted primarily in Spanish, will open on July 20.

A link to join the webinars will be emailed to everyone who registers. For those who would like to share their projects and drawings with educators, scientists, and other participants, a parental permission form will be provided.

If you have any questions, please send an email to: YouthNMNH@si.edu.

LEARN MORE & SIGN UP HERE

This post is sponsored by Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, however, I only promote programs, places, and services that I genuinely believe in and think would appeal to KFDC readers.

Kayaking on the Potomac last summer

1. If you tried for a paddling adventure on the weekend, but found kayaks and canoes all booked up, go during the week instead, when more vessels seem to be available. Four Boating in DC locations are now open, and you can check this KFDC post about recreation on the water for more places to go. Since information is always changing these days, I recommend checking websites and calling ahead to confirm availability. And this post has some pics and more info from one of our paddling outings last summer.

2. DC DPR is offering Camp-At-Home, an online hun to help keep kids busy this summer. It includes a Fun Pack for campers, an Activity Guide, and Virtual Camp Content — all of it free!

3. Wolf Trap shared a sweet idea for a Firefly Party at home.

4. The Union Market Drive-In returns this Friday evening! Captain America: The First Avenger will be shown on the outdoor screen. The lot opens at 7:30pm (closes at 8:45), and the movie begins at 9pm. Admission is $20/vehicle, and tickets can be purchased in advance online. And FYI: Two more drive-in dates are coming up in July.

5. Ian Desmond ❤️ ⚾️