Wednesday, May 1

Messy Masterpiece: Paint Like Bob Ross

Bob Ross, host of the popular Joy of Painting television show for over 11 years, brought the delight of painting to millions of people. Inspired by this great artist we will grab our painter’s palette, practice mixing colors, and won’t forget to add some happy little trees. Sponsored by MEFA’s U.Fund and Fidelity Investments.    

Thursday, May 2

Thursday’s Tales with Buddy Love

Come meet Buddy Love and her handler Christine Macdonald from the Pets & People Foundation. They will read us a story and Buddy Love will bark along! Learn about people therapy through pets and all about Buddy Love’s role in the organization. Buddy Love is a mixed breed that was rescued from a shelter and he’s ready to greet you! For more information on the Pets & People Foundation, please visit www.petsandpeoplefoundation.org Sponsored by MEFA’s U.Fund and Fidelity Investments.    

FETCH! Eat Like a Bird

Now that the birds are back for summer, discover what it really means to “eat like a bird”! Learn how beak type relates to what a bird eats and where it lives. It's feeding time! © 2013 WGBH Educational Foundation. Sponsored by Genzyme.

Friday, May 3

First Friday Nights Free!

Join us with free admission and explore the museums at night on the first Friday of every month! We will gratefully accept donations for the Acton Food Pantry. Sponsored in part by Emerson Hospital with additional support from Alexander, Aronson, Finning and Company, P.C. and the Local Cultural Councils of Acton-Boxborough, Billerica, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Harvard, Hudson, Leominster, Lexington, Littleton, Maynard, Waltham, Wayland, and Westford.

Sunday, May 5

Exploring Nano: The Smallest Science

Join us for hands-on educational programs about nanoscale science, engineering and technology. What is memory metal? What does sand have to do with nano? Find out as you explore the nano in your everyday life and discover the special and unexpected properties found at the nanoscale. Sponsored by Genzyme.

Monday, May 6

Especially for Me! Free Morning at the Children's Discovery Museum for Families with Deaf or Hard of Hearing Infants and Toddlers

Join in all the fun during this special free morning for families with infants and toddlers with hearing loss - in conjunction with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program of Children's Hospital Boston. Pre-registration is required. Contact Kevin Nolan, Outreach and Support Services Coordinator, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program, at Kevin.Nolan@childrens.harvard.edu to register or find out more information. Funding provided by MathWorks and Hologic.

Tuesday, May 7

Dress Up Your Stuffed Pet Day

Bring along your favorite stuffed pet today as read Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing by Judi Barrett and afterwards we’ll design some fun clothes for your furry friend! Sponsored by MEFA’s U.Fund and Fidelity Investments.    

Reaction Station: Adventures for Young Chemists

Imagine yourself a chemist and use real laboratory tools to do experiments. Try your hand at doing wet chemistry in a model glove box and learn why some chemists use glove boxes and hoods. Reaction Station is generously funded by the Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation.  

Wednesday, May 8

FETCH!™ Motion Picture

Create a thaumatrope - an optical illusion toy that makes two pictures look like one. Learn about the persistence of vision as you make a fun toy that you can take home with you! © 2013 WGBH Educational Foundation. Sponsored by Genzyme.

Friday, May 10

Made for Mom

Explore the science of papermaking as you design and create your own Mother’s Day card to share with Mom, Grandmom, or someone special this weekend. Sponsored by Hologic, Inc.

Saturday, May 11

Family Health and Wellness Day

Come learn about and experience many of the different and important ways we are able to keep our bodies healthy and safe. Listen & learn, move & groove, and stay & play through a happy and healthy day! This day-long fair will feature fitness classes, health screenings, cooking demonstrations, live music and more. Watch our Facebook page or website (discoverymuseums.org) for more details. Sponsored by Hologic, Inc.

Especially for Me! Free Evening for Families with Deaf or Hard of Hearing Children

Join in all the fun during this special free evening for families with deaf or hard of hearing children in conjunction with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program of Children's Hospital Boston. ASL Interpreters will be available. Pre-registration required. Visit http://tinyurl.com/EspeciallyforMe2013-6 to register. Funding provided by MathWorks, Hologic, and DCU for Kids.

Sunday, May 12

Magic Show with Rupayan Neogy

Join us as local young magician Rupayan Neogy shares his talents with us! Showcasing a variety of tricks, he will confound and amaze in an interactive performance geared toward family audiences. For more information about Rupayan’s magic, visit his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rneogymagic. Sponsored by Genzyme.

Thursday, May 16

PEEP Science Adventures: Mixing Colors

Peep is yellow, Quack is blue and Chirp is red. What happens when you use these color paints and mix them? Maybe you will create your own color in this messy activity! © 2013 WGBH Educational Foundation.Sponsored by Hologic and MEFA’s U.Fund and Fidelity Investments.

Thursday’s Tales

Join us for our weekly story time. We’ll bring the books; you bring your imagination! Sponsored by MEFA’s U.Fund and Fidelity Investments.    

Take Aparts

Are you curious about what’s inside telephones and computers? Discover resistors and capacitors as you uncover the inner workings of everyday objects. Sponsored by Analog Devices, Inc. and Genzyme.

Friday, May 17

Music and Movement with Miss Carolyn

Explore sound through singing and playing. Move, make music, listen, learn, and get a multi-sensory workout! Music improves your child’s memory, cognitive development, learning skills, and ability to express emotion. Plus, it’s fun! Miss Carolyn is a professional musician, a licensed Kindermusik Educator  and serves as a faculty member at Indian Hill Music School. Sponsored by MEFA’s U.Fund and Fidelity Investments.    

Springtime Face Painting

Use your face or hand as a canvas for a colorful spring painting. Sponsored by MEFA’s U.Fund and Fidelity Investments.    

FETCH! Eat Like a Bird

Now that the birds are back for summer, discover what it really means to “eat like a bird”! Learn how beak type relates to what a bird eats and where it lives. It's feeding time! © 2013 WGBH Educational Foundation.

Saturday, May 18

Who’s Watching You? Owls of the World

Have you ever seen a live owl up close? Join naturalist Marcia Wilson and photographer Mark Wilson in sharing their passion for owls! Learn about field marks, signs and naturalist’s skills that you can use to find wild owls without disturbing them, and meet six live owls up close. Everyone is treated to a hooting lesson, as well as tips on how to attract and protect owls near you. www.eyesonowls.com This “All About Animals” program is sponsored by the Rosemary Davis Memorial Fund.

Especially for Me! Free Evening for Families with Children on the Autism Spectrum

Come join in all the fun and explore both museums during this special free evening for families with children on the autism spectrum. Visitors may also drop-in for a workshop with Romy Wilhelm, a practicing music therapist from Indian Hill Music. Many studies have shown that music therapy is an effective tool for reaching this population, as it engages and fosters their capacity for flexibility, creativity, variability, and tolerance of change. Pre-registration required. Visit http://tinyurl.com/EspeciallyforMe2013-7 to register.  Funding provided by MathWorks, Hologic, DCU for Kids and Acton-Boxborough United Way Youth in Philanthropy.

Tuesday, May 21

Messy Masterpiece: Exploring Watercolors

Let your inner artist shine as we use watercolors in fun and exciting ways. Can you paint without a paintbrush? Sponsored by MEFA’s U.Fund and Fidelity Investments.    

Wednesday, May 22

Exploring Nano: The Smallest Science

Join us for hands-on educational programs about nanoscale science, engineering and technology. What is memory metal? What does sand have to do with nano? Find out as you explore the nano in your everyday life and discover the special and unexpected properties found at the nanoscale. Sponsored by Genzyme.

Thursday, May 23 

Thursday’s Tales

Join us for our weekly story time. We’ll bring the books; you bring your imagination! Sponsored by MEFA’s U.Fund and Fidelity Investments.    

PEEP Science Adventures: Playing with Wet Mud

Remember how much fun you had as a child playing with mud? Mud is a fascinating material for children to work with. Explore the texture and feel of mud and how it changes depending on how much water you add. Is the mud stiff? Gooey? When does it start to resemble chocolate milk? This program is weather dependent. © 2013 WGBH Educational Foundation.Sponsored by Hologic and MEFA’s U.Fund and Fidelity Investments.

Friday, May 24

Celebrate National Scavenger Hunt Day! Woodland Trail Search

I spy with my little eyes…Strange things have been popping up on the Woodland Trail at The Discovery Museums. Head to the path to see if you can spot what is out of place. Are some things harder to find than others? Put your skills of observation to the test and find out! Trail is not handicap accessible. This program is weather dependent. Sponsored by MEFA’s U.Fund and Fidelity Investments.    

Saturday, May 25

Printmaking

Bring your inner artist to the Science Discovery Museum today. Use a variety of recycled materials and common household objects to create beautiful prints full of unique patterns and colors. Sponsored by Genzyme.

Tuesday, May 28

Beautiful Butterflies

Spring is in the air and so are beautiful butterflies!  Create your own special butterfly to take home. Sponsored by MEFA’s U.Fund and Fidelity Investments.    

FETCH!™ Motion Picture

Create a thaumatrope - an optical illusion toy that makes two pictures look like one. Learn about the persistence of vision as you make a fun toy that you can take home with you! © 2013 WGBH Educational Foundation. Sponsored by Genzyme.

Thursday, May 30

Thursday’s Tales

Join us for our weekly story time. We’ll bring the books; you bring your imagination! Sponsored by MEFA’s U.Fund and Fidelity Investments.    

May Flowers

April showers bring May flowers…Join us as we explore the inner workings of flowers. Dissect a flower and create a mini flower journal to take home and use as you observe the flowers in your backyard.  Sponsored by Genzyme.