Virtual Events and Programs

Ever wondered what DMNS' Educator/Performers talk about at lunch? We're sure you haven't, but you'll wish you had after you see the hilarity that ensues as staff gather for a virtual lunch.

Ever wondered what DMNS' Educator Performers talk about at lunch? We're sure you haven't, but you'll wish you had after you see the hilarity that ensues as staff gather for a virtual lunch.

Ever wondered what DMNS' Educator Performers talk about at lunch? We're sure you haven't, but you'll wish you had after you see the hilarity that ensues as staff gather for a virtual lunch.

Ever wonder what DMNS' educator performers talk about at lunch? We're sure you haven't, but you'll wish you had after you see the hilarity that ensues as staff gather for a virtual lunch and hysterical hypothetical animal match-ups!

Join four of the Museum’s knowledgeable and entertaining Educator Performers over lunchtime for a rousing discussion on the topic of the week. 

This discussion covers the Museum’s historical enactors program – our talented educator performers develop composite characters to bring science to life for guests. Will they be in character? Will anyone break character? Tune in and find out!

Betrayal, murder, and cannibalism. Get ready for a wild ride not for the faint of heart with DMNS Archaeologist Erin Baxter, and her take on the infamous Coloradian, Alferd Packer.

Drs. Tyler Lyson and Ian Miller share their discovery of how life rebounded after Earth's darkest hour!

Genetics Lab Manager Tiffany Nuessle discusses how taste works and dispels some taste myths!

Senior Curator of Archaeology Steve Nash discusses the Museum's decade-long and ultimately successful effort to repatriate sacred grave posts of the Mijikenda of Kenya.

See her real life tarantula, and listen as Dr. Paula Cushing talks about her research exploring the evolution, diversity, and behavior of arachnids in Colorado and beyond. 

As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, our collections staff share some images of objects in our collections along with stories of tragedy and hope that accompany them.

The fossil preparation lab at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science is currently closed, but our preparators are continuing to work on new scientific discoveries from their kitchen tables!

This presentation by Curator of Archaeology, Michele Koons, explores the politics and power of the Moche archaeological culture (250-900 AD) of the North Coast of Peru.

Join Senior Curator of Archaeology, Steve Nash, for a fantastic, colorful, whimsical summary of recent work on a documentary film on the artist and his work.

Join John Demboski, curator of mammals, as he talks about the fascinating story of Colorado’s last grizzly bear. 

An international team of scientists led by David Krause, senior curator of vertebrate paleontology, have discovered a new fossil mammal, Adalatherium hui, from the island of Madagascar. 

Curator of Geology, James Hagadorn, talks about new work focused on dating and deciphering 500 million year old rocks and fossils from the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Lab Preparator, Andie Carillo can make an at-home lab right in her kitchen! Using an uncooked chicken, see how she prepares birds in the lab.

Dr. Joe Sertich talks about how new discoveries from the Denver Basin like the Thornton Torosaurus are helping us understand this bizarre group of dinosaurs.

Learn about the Black Footed Ferret that was rescued from becoming extinct and its breeding center here in Colorado. 

Curator of Archaeology Erin Baxter, PhD, presents the art, history and archaeology of Colorado cemeteries. Baxter has a trove of local stories, headstone IDs, epitaph translations and tips for what to do if you find a tombstone in your backyard along with other practical knowledge for your next (recreational) cemetery visit.

Your treasures are all around you. Conservator Jude Southward shares simple steps you can take to help them last longer and some tricks she uses to care for the Museum’s collections.

Watch these videos about our previously featured scientists to learn more about their work and inspire questions from your students.

Take your students on a virtual field trip with past recordings of our live broadcasts events with scientists where they work!

Our Geology Curator James Hagadorn talks about the mineral choices and characteristics of our beloved gem sculptures.

Watch the latest videos on the Museum’s recent discoveries near Colorado Springs, including the NOVA documentary, Rise of the Mammals.

An international team of scientists led by David Krause, senior curator of vertebrate paleontology, have discovered a new fossil mammal, Adalatherium hui, from the island of Madagascar. 

No spaceship? No problem. From the comfort of your couch, space science educators Naomi, Mitch, and Jose will guide your family on a virtual adventure through the universe, starting with our home planet and voyaging into the solar system and beyond with the assistance of stunning scientific visualizations. Learn about our place in the universe, how we fit in the solar system, and the ways we are integrally connected to space!

The lecture is full of interesting twists, personal anecdotes and insights, big personalities, meanderings through familiar and unfamiliar content, and the kind of "we don't know's?" that set the imagination and curiosity spinning in new directions.

Our Geology Curator James Hagadorn talks about the mineral choices and characteristics of our beloved gem sculptures.

Jonathan Samet, MD, MS and Dean of the Colorado School for Public Health discusses solutions and challenges around slowing the spread of the disease, as well as insights gained from working closely with state officials on their public health guidance. 

In part two of our ongoing COVID-19 webinar series, we’ll explore the science behind vaccine development and which medical avenues could prove most effective in quelling the coronavirus.

In the third part of our ongoing coronavirus webinar series, tune in for a discussion on Colorado’s approach to testing and how it fits into the state’s broader response. 

Hear a presentation by astrobiologist and research scientist for the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Graham Lau!

Have you been watching your favorite sci-fi movies? Delve into the science behind popular sci-fi movies with Museum scientists and Vincent Piturro, professor of film and media studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver. 

Last year, the headlines that 3 billion birds have disappeared from North America since 1970 shocked the world and captured our attention. Join avian conservation scientist, Arvind Panjabi, from Bird Conservancy of the Rockies for a live virtual presentation to discuss this groundbreaking research.

We’re teaming up with Denver’s beloved Buntport Theater for The Great Debate! A comedic debate between two opinionated amateurs. Who will you side with as they go head-to-head, toe-to-toe, in a not-so-scientific way, to finally put the great Pi(e) debate to rest? Vote your conscious because the stakes have never been more irregular or sweeter?! Grab your favorite beverage and Zoom in!

Donations are appreciated and will be split ​between Buntport Theater and the Museum.

Take a virtual trip to volcanic sites around the world with Ka Chun Yu, curator of space science, and Bob Raynolds, research associate. From ancient Pompeii to present day Yellowstone National Park, volcanoes have made their mark on people and landscapes. What dangers are seething just below the surface? Which volcano will erupt next? Learn the facts about this explosive geologic phenomenon!

Jonathan Samet, MD, MS and Dean of the Colorado School for Public Health discusses solutions and challenges around slowing the spread of the disease, as well as insights gained from working closely with state officials on their public health guidance. 

In part two of our ongoing COVID-19 webinar series, we’ll explore the science behind vaccine development and which medical avenues could prove most effective in quelling the coronavirus.

In the third part of our ongoing coronavirus webinar series, tune in for a discussion on Colorado’s approach to testing and how it fits into the state’s broader response. 

As the battle against COVID-19 unfolds each day in America’s hospitals, doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and other caregivers are working tirelessly to diagnose, treat and improve patient outcomes. Their selfless efforts in the face of an unprecedented epidemic have earned commendation nationwide, and their stories from the front lines help us look beyond statistics to understand the true human impact of the disease.

Coloradans have increased their time spent at home since mid-March following statewide policy interventions implemented by Governor Polis and increased social distancing guidelines set by essential businesses. Using digital trace data, scientists have been able to study general patterns in population mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results find noteworthy trends, including variation across different areas of the state, a voluntary reduction in movement even before Stay-at-Home orders took effect, and recent reversals in the overall amount of time spent in public.

Jude Bayham, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Agricultural & Resource Economics at Colorado State University and the co-lead author of the recently published report, titled “Colorado Mobility Patterns During the COVID-19 Response.” Bayham will discuss the study’s key findings, including trends and patterns in how Coloradans are (or aren’t) spending time away from home as well as policy implications for coronavirus outcomes moving forward. He’ll also answer your questions during a moderated Q&A session.

This livestream event is presented by the Colorado School of Public Health, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and the Institute for Science & Policy.

Colorado’s research community has responded swiftly to the COVID-19 challenge, with new projects already underway on vaccine development, diagnostic tools, biomedical countermeasures, and food system impact mitigation. Historically, technological investment has aided our response against diseases before they emerge, in the midst of outbreaks, and during the lengthy global recovery. Many exciting avenues of study are happening in our Colorado backyard right now. But what does applied research really look like, and when might we see the impacts?

In this installment of our weekly COVID-19 webinar series, we’ll be joined by Alan Rudolph, Ph.D., vice president of research at Colorado State University. Dr. Rudolph will discuss the creative and innovative new ways that researchers are tackling this novel disease and draw upon his decades of experience in both biomedicine and global security to address how today’s infrastructure development can help build tomorrow’s more resilient societies. He’ll also answer your questions live during a moderated Q&A session.

The free webinar is a collaboration of the Colorado School of Public Health, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and the Institute for Science & Policy.

As COVID-19 spread rapidly around the world, so too did myths, exaggerations, and outright falsehoods. The flood of misinformation was often powerful enough to shape public perception and policy decisions. But in the face of ever-evolving guidance from experts and wall-to-wall media saturation, how can the public sort fact from fiction? What makes a particular source reliable – or not?

Summer is typically the season of camping, grilling, and lounging by the pool, but some of our favorite warm weather activities could look and feel very different this year due to ongoing COVID-19 precautions. So what should Coloradans expect over the next few months? Is it safe to send kids to camp? Will I be able to go swimming? 

Using the helpful questions and word bank, identify the different bones in the human skeleton! When you are complete, make it your own. You can color it, name it, add a background and then take a photo and have an
adult post it online to #DMNS.

Para todas las edades. ¿Cómo se forman las burbujas? ¿Qué tipo de experimentos puedes hacer con burbujas?   ¡Vamos a probarlos!

Investigate cause and effect. Observe object properties and characteristics of building materials, ramps, rollers, and sliders to discover that objects move differently depending on materials and shape.

Amanda, educator/performer at the Museum, shares some activity ideas that she has been using at home with her own kids. Learn how to save frozen superheroes, build cardboard skee ball, and teach literacy with materials you find in your backyard.

Learn how to extract DNA! Strawberry fruits have long DNA strands that are easy to see, so they are a good choice for DNA extraction.

Astronauts train and maintain healthy lifestyles to be physically fit for space travel. Learn how to train like an astronaut and prepare for your first space expedition with this activity guide!

Grab your peppers and join Jenna in this fun dissection! Learn the scientific names for different parts of peppers, and use your senses to make observations. What color is the pepper? What does it smell like?

Make delicious guacamole and learn why fruits and vegetables turn brown in this video with Education/Performer, Isis.

Our Education/Performers are taking you on a geography adventure around the globe! Alexander challenged Shelsea, Abid, and Monika to randomly select one country to learn about. See what they learned.

Age Range: Ages 10-17.  In this activity related to ecology, ecosystems and populations, you will learn a fun way to estimate the number of pikas in a population using a method that scientists actually use. As a way of integrating math into your learning, you can also make calculations to test and see if the method really works.

Age Range: 10-17.  In this activity related to ecology, ecosystems, predator-prey relationships, energy food chains, and populations, you will play a game to see how weasels control the size of the pika population and how pikas control the size of the weasel population.  Using math, you'll also calculate how populations can change.

Age Range: 10-14.  Tie Dyeing is a fun, creative art project you can do at home.  This activity shows you how to do it. Can you predict what kind of pattern your tie dye will make?  Try it out with the help of an adult and see if your predictions are correct!

Age range:  6-12.  In this activity, we will learn about paper chromatography and along the way we’ll also make a chromatography “flower”.

Age range: 4-8.  Through art and play, we will make space helmets to learn about how astronauts protect themselves in space.

Para todas las edades. ¿Cómo se forman las burbujas? ¿Qué tipo de experimentos puedes hacer con burbujas?   ¡Vamos a probarlos!

Age range:  4-12.  Design and build a bridge and understand how they work. Different types of bridges can serve different purposes depending on how they are built.

Age range:  5-8.  Cut out and create your own models of dinosaurs

Age range:  5-13. Design your own home-made zip-line by using gravity. 

Teachers! Grab your afternoon tea and log in for Tools @ Tea Time, an end-of-the day boost, with tips and resources from the Museum Teacher Professional Development Team and an opportunity to share strategies with other teachers about remote and hybrid learning.

Grades:  5-12

Summer On-line Workshop, June 22-25 & 29-30 (9 a.m.–12 p.m.)           
Fall On-line Lesson Implementation September 7–October 18
Final Face-to-Face (at the Museum) October 17, 2020

2 Graduate Level Credit Hours + Certificate for 15 hrs toward CLDE certification

Discover new ways to get all learners in your classroom excited about the “sense-making” part of their investigations, simulations and labs. During this on-line and face-to-face course, you will learn-by-doing practical strategies to enrich and motivate your students’ discourse, writing and reading. Have fun as you observe, practice, plan and implement research-based strategies that support all learners.

How can we use scientific argumentation as a way to continue building community and connection with our students in on-line learning environments during the time of COVID 19? What might Argumentation look like on-line? 

Take a moment to connect online with other teachers and pick up some new tips to spruce up and deepen your lessons for the end of the year

Scientists in Action is a monthly broadcast series that connects learners everywhere with real scientists where they work, and is driven by audience Q&A. Each event is a live, two-way interactive webcast with multiple schools, organizations, homeschools, pods and families participating. Click below to learn more about our upcoming broadcasts, dates, and times!

Sixty-six million years ago, an enormous asteroid collided with our planet and brought the age of the dinosaurs to a dramatic end. But how Earth made a comeback after the impact has long been unknown to science ... until now! Join paleontologists from the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for a live virtual look at a groundbreaking new discovery made by the Museum.

As the curator of archaeology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Dr. Koons uses modern technology to study ancient places and peoples and unravel mysteries of the past.

Ever wondered about the birds that migrate through your town each year, or what separates a blackbird from a blue jay?

Join the Education Collections team—who have the very cool job of caring for some of the artifacts and specimens—as they take you behind the scenes to explore why the collections are safely preserved and how these objects play a starring role in research, education, and museum magic.  

That’s right – every bird alive today, from ostrich to oriole, pigeon to penguin, are descendants of theropod dinosaurs like T. rex and Velociraptor.