Events, Programs and Learning Opportunities Related to Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World
Want to get to know the “real” Benjamin Franklin—scientist, inventor, diplomat, humorist, journalist, and philanthropist? Come check out some of the following programs presented in celebration of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s temporary exhibition Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World that runs through May 20, 2007. The exhibition is presented in Denver by Key Foundation and KeyBank. Appearances by Franklin scholar and enactor Christopher Lowell are supported by generous gifts from a family fund at The Denver Foundation, Colorado Humanities, and Erna D. Butler.
For additional information, please call 303.322.7009 or 1.800.925.2250.
FAMILY BRUNCH
Brunch with Ben
Come meet the witty and studious Benjamin Franklin, portrayed by a Franklin enactor, during Sunday brunch at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Guests will enjoy fine cuisine prepared by the Museum’s chef Adrian Heuer. Then, they’ll have the chance to explore the new exhibition to find out more about America’s favorite founding father.
Sunday, March 4, 2007, seatings at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.
Cost is $45/adult and $15/child
West Atrium
ADULT LECTURES
Fun and intriguing Benjamin Franklin programs in February and March will include a lecture with Page Talbott, PhD, chief curator of the exhibition, and an opportunity to socialize with our colorful founding father at “An Evening with Ben.” For complete adult program listings, please check the Museum’s website at www.dmns.org.
MEMBER NIGHTS
View the Benjamin Franklin exhibition at these exclusive members-only events. Meet “Benjamin Franklin” and some of his “neighbors.” And, enjoy all of the hands-on activities for families. The Museum Shop and T-Rex Café will be open until 8:00 p.m.
Thursday , March 8 and May 17, 6-9 p.m.
Free to members
SCHOOL FIELDTRIPS
Students and teachers will identify the contributions Benjamin Franklin made to both science and civil liberties. Science and geography Colorado Content Standards are supported in this exhibition. Reservations are required for school groups.
$4.50/student, free admission for one adult with every 10 students
OUTREACH PROGRAMS AT YOUR SCHOOL
Energy at Play
Grades 3–6
Bring out the inventor in your students. The Museum’s new “Energy at Play” learning lab will challenge your students to design, test, and construct their very own invention. Explore ways to transform and transfer energy. Challenge higher order thinking skills by designing and constructing a toy with its own propulsion mechanism. Students will analyze, apply, synthesize, evaluate and have fun!
Call 303.370.6453 for outreach reservations.
PROGRAMS FOR TEACHERS
Educator’s Night
Educators, school administrators and PTA officers are invited to attend a special evening at the Museum experiencing the Benjamin Franklin exhibition. Educators spend the evening in the exhibition with peers and learn how to incorporate this experience into fieldtrip plans.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007, 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Benjamin Franklin Teacher Workshop
Especially for K–12 teachers
Join the Museum and the Colorado Council on Economic Education for a workshop on Benjamin Franklin and his passion for life-long learning. Explore the temporary exhibition and receive a teachers’ guide with engaging activities for students.
Saturday, March 10, 2007, 8:00 a.m–4:30 p.m.
0.5 graduate-level, recertification credit available through the Colorado School of Mines
$55 member noncredit, $80 member credit
$60 nonmember noncredit, $85 nonmember credit
For more teacher resources on Ben Franklin go to www.dmns.org/onlineguides.
HOME SCHOOL DAY
Our Home School Day is a flexibly structured, open-ended discovery opportunity designed to help home school students explore Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World. Home school students will also be introduced to the science of Benjamin Franklin and other famous scientists through scientific demonstrations, hands-on activities and more.
Reservations are required by Monday, April 30.
To receive the information sheet and registration form call 303.370.8225.
Monday, May 7, 2007, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
$12 students K–8, $6 adults
WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN
Famous Experiments: Newton, Galileo and More
(4-hour workshop)
Experience scientific history as you re-create famous experiments, then explore the scientist who performed them. Imagine being with Newton when he saw the apple fall, or exploring the laws of force and motion with Galileo. See the Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World exhibition. Please bring a sack lunch and drink.
I: Grades 2–3, Sunday, February 25, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
II: Grades 2–3, Saturday, March 31, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
III: Grades 4–6, Saturday, March 3, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Science Education Classroom
$40 member, $50 nonmember
Kid Science
Grades K & 1
(6-hour workshop)
Discover how fun science can be! Create an underwater volcano, play a fishing game with magnets and create a drum as you experiment with sound. Visit the Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World exhibition. This fun-filled day will be bursting with experiments. Please bring a sack lunch and drink.
Saturday, March 17, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Room 201 & 203
$50 member, $60 nonmember
Museum Exploration
Grades K & 1
(4-hour workshop)
Explore the Museum as you never have before! Learn about making exhibits and discover fun Museum facts through games and activities. Examine many objects up close, such as a Native American shield, dinosaur fossils, crystals, minerals, and more! Visit the Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World exhibition. Please bring a sack lunch and drink.
Saturday, March 31, 10:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m.
Room 303
$40 member, $50 nonmember
CAMP-INS
Get Curious Camp-In
Grades 3–6
Ever wonder why? How come? What would happen if? Then it’s time to ignite your curiosity even further. Ask questions, gather information, and test your ideas while exploring the exhibit halls, including the new temporary exhibition about the ultimate inquirer and inventor, Benjamin Franklin. Enjoy three hands-on, inquiry-focused workshops, and see an IMAX movie.
Thursday–Friday, April 19–20, 6:00 p.m.–11:00 a.m.
Saturday–Sunday, April 21–22, 6:00 p.m.–11:00 a.m.
Thursday–Friday, May 3–4, 6:00 p.m.–11:00 a.m.
Friday–Saturday, May 18–19, 6:00 p.m.–11:00 a.m.
Fee: $40/child, $35/adult (There is no fee for teachers or youth group coordinators.) Includes Museum and Zoo admission, three Museum hands-on workshops, an IMAX film or Planetarium show, an evening snack, and a light breakfast. Reservations required. For more information call 303.370.8287.
Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World was organized by the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, a non-profit organization founded in 2000 by five Philadelphia institutions with ties to Franklin: The American Philosophical Society; The Franklin Institute; the Library Company of Philadelphia; the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the University of Pennsylvania. The Tercentenary is supported by a lead grant of $4 million from The Pew Charitable Trusts. In addition, an Act of Congress in 2002 established the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission, a panel of 15 outstanding Americans chosen to study and recommend programs to celebrate Franklin’s 300th birthday. For more information, visit www.benfranklin300.org.
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DMNS-06-83
Appearances by Franklin enactor Christopher Lowell made possible, in part, by grants from the Colorado Humanities and Erna D. Butler.
