Young Explorers Summer Science Camp | New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

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2013 Instructor Biographies

2013 Young Explorers Summer Science Program

**NEW** for 2013

Three **New** camps: Weather & Climate Around Us offered at the museum with field trips, and Base Camp to Summit: SMNHC to Sandia Crest offered at the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center in the East Mountains with field trips; Summer Science Sleuths will explore a different topic each day.

Aftercare will be offered from 3:30pm-6:00pm for an additional cost of $100 for the week.

Half-Day Museum Programs

Dinosaur Detectives

(Entering Kindergarten, 1^st, or 2^nd Grade in 2013–2014 School Year)

Become a junior paleontologist and time travel through New Mexico’s Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras seeking prehistoric animals. Discover how paleontologists use detective skills and trek through Triassic and Jurassic forests, cross Cretaceous seas, and traverse Tertiary grasslands in search of answers. Activities include art projects, games, stories, investigating real specimens from the Museum’s collections, and visits to the Museum’s exhibits. Classes are limited to 15 children and are taught by two adult instructors and one aide.

Cost: $140 (10% discount for Museum members)

Time: Weekdays, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. OR 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Dates: June 24-28 -AM Sold out, entering K-1^st, July 15-19, entering 1^st-2^nd, and July 22-26, entering K-1^st

Nature Detectives Special!!! Buy one, Get one for $20!!!

Step 1. Register one camper for Nature Detectives
Step 2. Forward your Brown Paper Tickets confirmation email to Turn on JavaScript!
Step 3. You will be sent a coupon code to register a second camper for Nature Detectives at $20
Step 4. Have a great time at camp!!!

Nature Detectives

(Entering Kindergarten, 1^st, or 2^nd grade in 2013–2014 School Year)

Investigate nature as a naturalist and explore the amazing diversity of New Mexico’s habitats. Spend the week learning about the animals, plants, and rocks of our mountains, grasslands, deserts, and rivers. Learn to use basic scientific tools and enhance observation and identification skills. Activities include art projects, songs, games, stories, investigating real specimens from the Museum’s collections, and visits to the Museum’s exhibits. Classes are limited to 13 children and are taught by two adult instructors and one aide.

Cost: $140 (10% discount for Museum members)

Time: Weekdays, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. OR 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Dates: July 29-August 2

Full-Day Program at Sandia Mountain Natural History Center (SMNHC)

Base Camp to Summit: SMNHC to Sandia Crest **NEW**

(Entering 2^nd, 3^rd, or 4th Grade in 2013–2014 School Year)

How is Base camp different from the Summit? Get ready to explore the Sandia Mountain ecosystem from Sandia Mountain Natural History Center (SMNHC) base camp. Campers will learn about the Sandia Mountains: their geology, plants, and animals. Your explorations will include hikes, hands-on science activities, crafts, games, stories, and field trips. Campers will visit Sandia Crest and the NM Museum of Natural History & Science. Each session is limited to 13 participants and is taught by two adult instructors. Field trip transportation is included.

Cost: $285 (10% discount for Museum members)

Time: Weekdays, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Dates: July 15-19

Note – No aftercare available at this location

Full-Day Field and Museum Programs

Weather and Climate Around Us **NEW**

(Entering 2^nd, 3^rd, or 4^th Grade in 2013–2014 School Year)

Forecasting weather, fact or fiction? Make your own weather station. Visit the Albuquerque NOAA weather center. Explore the where, why, and how of extreme weather, tornados, hurricanes, tsunamis, and more. Discover New Mexico’s past climates by examining the fossil record. Visit the different life zones of the Albuquerque area and compare the Rio Grande valley to the Sandia Crest. Your explorations will include hands-on science activities, crafts, stories, and visits to the Museum’s exhibits. Planetarium show is included. Each session is limited to 13 participants and is taught by two adult instructors. Field trip transportation is included.

Cost: $285 (10% discount for Museum members)

Time: Weekdays, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Dates: June 24-28

Natural World Around Us

(Entering 2^nd, 3^rd, or 4^th Grade in 2013–2014 School Year)

Explore the natural world of the Albuquerque area. Investigate volcanoes, sand dunes, rivers, and mountains. Mornings are in the field hiking and discovering these unique habitats. Afternoons are in the Museum for related hands-on science activities, crafts, stories, and visits to the Museum’s exhibits and watch our latest DynaTheater film. Each session is limited to 13 participants and is taught by two adult instructors. Field trip transportation is included.

Cost: $285 (10% discount for Museum members)

Time: Weekdays, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Dates: July 15-19 (2^nd-4^th) -Sold out, July 22-26 (2^nd-3^rd), and July 29-August 2 (2^nd-3^rd)

Eco Adventures

(Entering 4th, 5th, or 6th Grade in 2013—2014 School Year)

Become a citizen scientist participating in real ecosystem monitoring around the Albuquerque area. Assess biological diversity, measure water quality, test ambient air and soil temperature, and determine soil and rock type using scientific field equipment. Learn how to use the Museum as a scientific resource during visits to our exhibits and research collections; watch our latest DynaTheater film. Each session is limited to 13 participants and is taught by two adult instructors. Field trip transportation is included.

Cost: $285 (10% discount for Museum members)

Time: Weekdays, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Dates: July 29-August 2

Art Adventures

(Entering 5th, 6th or 7th Grade in 2013–2014 School Year)

View New Mexico’s natural history through the lens of an artist. Hike throughout Albuquerque’s open spaces and visit the Museum’s exhibits and scientific collections as inspiration in creating your very own Naturalist Journal. Experiment with different art mediums like charcoal, watercolor, pen and ink, pastel, and scratchboard; watch our latest DynaTheater film. Each session is limited to 13 participants and is taught by two adult instructors. Field trip transportation is included.

Cost: $285 (10% discount for Museum members)

Time: Weekdays, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Dates: July 15-19

Full-Day Museum Programs

Summer Science Sleuths **NEW**

(Entering 1st through 5th Grade in the 2013–2014 School Year)

Each day will explore a different topic: Prehistoric Creatures, Water from top to bottom, Amazing Astronomy, NM Naturalist, and Campers’ choice on Friday. Investigate Museum exhibits, examine our fossils and specimens, and speak with our experts! Activities include hands on science, art projects, songs, games, stories, investigating real specimens from the Museum’s collections, and visits to the Museum’s exhibits. Watch a Dynatheater film and a Planetarium show. Two field trips are included, one to the Rio Grande Nature Center and one to be determined. Session is limited to 19 participants and taught by three adult instructors.

Cost: $285 (10% discount for Museum members)

Times: Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm

Dates: August 5-9 -2 spots left!! (05/15/2013)

Full-Day Field and Museum Program with One-Night Overnight Camping

Sandia Explorers

(Entering 4th or 5th Grade in the 2013–2014 School Year)

Hike and explore a different life zone of “watermelon” mountain each day. Four of the seven life zones of North America exist in the Sandia Mountains. Ascending in elevation from the base to the crest is equivalent to a trip from the Sonoran Desert in Mexico to the Hudson Bay in Canada. Discover the roles that geology, elevation, and weather play in determining what type of forest grows where and which animals make each forest their home. This session includes field trip transportation, and three meals during the overnight are included. Sessions are limited to 13 participants and taught by two adult instructors.

Cost: $330 (10% discount for Museum members)

Times: Monday-Wednesday 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Thursday 8:00 a.m.-overnight, return Friday 3:30 p.m.

Dates: July 22-26

YOU NEED TO KNOW

Our camp instructors are teachers or scientists. They have all completed first aid, CPR, defensive driving, and van driving courses. All instructors submit to a background check before teaching camp. Full-day camps are taught by two trained instructors. Half-day camps are taught by two trained instructors and an aide.

These classes are scheduled rain or shine. The minimum number of participants for a class is 6. Please note that the Museum staff (including instructors, aides and all other staff) cannot take responsibility for dispensing prescription or over-the-counter medications. Campers are required to provide their own lunch for full-day programs (unless otherwise noted for overnight camping) and a snack and drink for half-day programs. Field trips require a daypack with lunch, water bottle, hat and sunscreen as well as any other necessary items noted in the registration confirmation letter. Campers must wear shoes appropriate for field trips, no open-toed shoes such as sandals.

To attend the field camps:

Campers must be able to walk 1 mile on a hiking trail in the summer.
Campers must follow instructors’ rules for safety at all times.

REGISTRATION POLICY

A waiting list will be maintained for each session that is full; no deposit is required. People on the waiting list will be notified in sequential order.
Full refund will be given if the session is canceled by the Museum due to low enrollment. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science reserves the right to cancel any event that does not reach a minimum of 6 participants.
Online sales will end 8 days before the first day of a specific camp.
In-person sales will only occur during the week before a specific camp starts if space is available. Come to the museum Monday-Friday 9am-4pm the week before the camp you wish to register for begins.
Cancellations less than 7 days before a specific camp begins will be subject to a 50% cancellation fee.

SCHOLARSHIP POLICY

Scholarships are need-based
Preference will be given to groups under-represented in the sciences
Scholarships will be offered on a sliding scale, camper’s family will pay one of three levels: Pay 50% of camp fees, Pay 25% of camp fees, or Pay 10% of camp fees.
Applicants will submit a short description of circumstances & proof of need
1 scholarship per student per summer