Events – Page 14 – Nature Discovery Center

Junior Scientists (Winter/Spring 2020)

2019-11-18 Maura Denman

NEW Format: Monthly on Sundays from 2 to 3:30 pm

Junior Scientists explore the natural world and examine a variety of science themes through hands-on investigations and experiments, and in lessons enriched with crafts, games, and more!

Ages: 6 to 10 years old

Cost/Class: $15 member / $20 non-member

Advance registration required. Register online here!

02/16 – Fun with Fruits & Veggies – Bring your appetite and your curiosity, as we learn about the science behind the food plants we eat. We’ll learn basic plant biology, and figure out what’s a leaf, stem, root, or fruit… eating our way through plant parts as we go. At the end we’ll look for wild edible plants, and then plant a fruit or veggie to take home. (Please let us know if you have any food allergies).

CANCELLED ~~03/22 Nature Arts & Artists~~ – Join us as we learn about modern and contemporary artists, and the head out into the park with our sketchbooks to create art using the same techniques. We bring home some strange and beautiful pieces, and leave some behind in the park, for visitors to enjoy.

CANCELLED ~~04/05 Outdoor Games~~ – Enjoy the glorious Spring weather with us and learn about some basic concepts, as we run around and have fun. We’ll focus on Texas animals like Monarchs, Armadillos, Bobcats & Squirrels.

CANCELLED ~~05/17 Spineless Wonders: Insects and Other Invertebrates~~ – Explore the park with us as we learn about insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. We’ll visit with some unique spineless creatures in our live animal collection, and head out into the park to look for invertebrates under logs, in the pond, and in our wildflower gardens.

Mess Makers

2019-11-18 Maura Denman

Messy, sensory play is an important part of child development. Together with Ms. Mo, you will explore and create with messy elements like homemade snow, clay, and sand. We will make works of art with natural materials (like plant pigments), and with a mix of natural and man-made materials (like branches, paints, and fun embellishments). We’ll make beautiful messes together, but go home clean!

Ages: 3 – 7 yrs old with an adult caregiver

Days/Times: First Mondays, from 10:30 to 11:45 am

Winter/Spring 2020 Topics:

January 6 – Snow & Ice
February 3 – Beautiful Branches: Collaborative Art
March 2 – Clay Play
A~~pril 6 – Smashing Flowers & Chlorophyll Creations~~ Cancelled due to COVID-19
~~May 4 – Exploring Sand & Water~~ Cancelled due to COVID-19

Cost/Class: $18 member / $22 non-member

Register online here!

Center CLOSED

2019-11-14 Maura Denman

The Center will be closed today for Twilight Gala preparations.

Wildscapes Workshop Presented by The Buzz Magazines

2019-10-01 Maura Denman

Learn all about creating a bird and butterfly friendly yard at this workshop!

Join The Buzz Magazines and members of local partner organizations for an informative and interactive session where you’ll learn how to create a yard that’s both bird and butterfly friendly. You’ll hear from experts in our own neighborhoods as well as professionals like Anna Vallery, from The Houston Audubon Society, and Taylor Rhoades, from Houston Zoo, and gain the tools to start planting native plants in your garden. Mary Ann Beauchemin, Senior Naturalist and Former Nature Discovery Center Park Steward, will lead a native plant walk in Russ Pitman Park.

Cost/Registration: This event is FREE and open to the public, but space is limited, so be sure to follow the link to register in advance.

Parking: Our north parking lot closest to the Center will likely fill quickly, so please consider side street parking or parking in the south lot along Evergreen Street and walking through the park to the Nature Discovery Center building for the workshop.

See also this recent piece, Native Plants: Creating bird-friendly yards, in The Bellaire Buzz by Pooja Salhotra

Adult Craft Workshop: Branch Weaving

2019-08-19 Maura Denman

Join us for one of our new Adult Crafting Workshops with Craft Lab Studio’s Khahn Ho.

CANCELLED

Turn branches into fine art with this craft project! Focusing on sustainably sourced supplies and items from around the home, each student will leave with a beautifully crafted piece to hang on their wall or to give as a gift. This is a BYOB event intended for adults. Come relax and visit with others over drinks as you create your woven masterpiece.

Cost: $25 / person

Space is limited to ensure a high quality experience for all.

Day Camp

2019-08-19 Maura Denman

Fall & Winter Day Camps

Ages: 5 to 10 yrs old

2019/2020 Dates & Topics

October 9 – Texas Mammals with Eric Duran (WAIT LIST)
November 25 – Fall Nature with Eric Duran (WAIT LIST)
November 26 – Survival of the Fittest with Ranger
November 27 – Flying Feast with Ranger
December 20 – Winter Adaptations with TBA
December 30 – Wild Winter Birds with Ranger
January 2 – Into the Trees with Eric Duran
January 3 – Habitat Hideaways with Bethany Foshée
January 20 – TBA

Camps run from 9 am to 3:30 pm

Cost: $49 member / $59 non-member per day

After Care is available until 5:30 pm for $15 per day.

Advance registration required. Register online here!

Junior Scientists

2019-08-19 Maura Denman

NEW Format: Monthly on Sundays from 2 to 3:30 pm

Junior Scientists explore the natural world and examine a variety of science themes through hands-on investigations and experiments, and in lessons enriched with crafts, games, and more!

Ages: 6 to 10 years old

Cost/Class: $15 member / $20 non-member

Advance registration required: Register online here

09/22 – Aquatic Animals – Join us as we dip net in the pond, set up aquariums, and have a look under the microscope. We will study all kinds of water creatures.

10/27 – Cold Blooded Critters – Explore the world of reptiles and amphibians, as we look for wild animals in the park, handle them in the classroom, and set up toad terrariums.

11/17 – Digging in the Dirt – Grab your shovel and head into the garden for a fun field study of plants. We’ll learn some basic botany, sow flower seeds, plant fruits and veggies, dig in the dirt, and pot a plant to take home.

12/15 – Messy Science – Foam, bubbles, fire, and minor explosions! Join us for a fun (and safe) time as we make a mess and learn some basic science concepts on our front lawn.

Campfire Night

2019-08-19 Maura Denman

Parents need nights out, and so do kids! Campfire Nights offer the best of both. Outdoor activities, snacks, animal encounters and more!

Friday, December 13 from 6 to 9 pm

Ages: 6 to 12 years old

Drop the kids off for a night of fun in the great outdoors! There will be a naturalist craft, night hike, black lighting for bugs, animal encounters, pond fishing, outdoor games, hot dogs*, & s’mores*!

*GF/V options available

Cost: $30/child, $20 sibling discount

Advance registration is required. Register online here.

Volunteer Orientation

2019-08-02 Maura Denman

Join us for our Fall Volunteer Orientation

Sunday, September 29 from 1 to 3 pm

Work in the Woods with Us! Conserve Nature! Learn new things!

Volunteer Opportunities include:

• Leading Children’s Programs
• Hosting Nature Center Visitors
• Gardening & Park Care
• Nature Playground Host
• Festivals & Outreach Booths
• Assisting in the office
• Animal Care
• Birding & Naturalist Events
• Arts & Crafts
• Annual Gala & Fundraising

Email Bethany at bfoshee@naturediscoverycenter.org and, if you haven’t already, submit a Volunteer Application Form online if you plan to attend.

Houston Area Community Swift Count

2019-05-20 Maura Denman

Tuesday, August 6 at dusk

The Nature Discovery Center is partnering with Houston Audubon and Texas Parks and Wildlife on a new event designed to provide a “snapshot” of how many swifts are in the city and where they are concentrating. Volunteers will spread out across the city at various sites where Chimney Swifts are likely roosting to count Chimney Swifts all over the Houston area on the same night. The data collected will be used to inform conservation decisions in Houston.

For more details please visit: https://houstonaudubon.org/birding/bird-surveys/swifts-over-houston/community-swift-night-out.html

Rain Date: Saturday, September 14 (if needed)

Events Listing

Junior Scientists (Winter/Spring 2020)

Mess Makers

Center CLOSED

Wildscapes Workshop Presented by The Buzz Magazines

Adult Craft Workshop: Branch Weaving

Day Camp

Junior Scientists

Campfire Night

Volunteer Orientation

Houston Area Community Swift Count

Recent Posts

Houston Area Community Swift Count