Maxwell Museum of Anthropology

“Survival in the Arctic”

February 23, 2008

Our third event hosted 180 guests who read stories, threw hand-made spears, made mittens, a sewing kits & snow goggles and marched through the Museum and Hibben center under a great white whale costume; they asked questions and heard stories from Herb Anungazuk, a native Alaskan guest.  Feedback from the bilingual instructors was that everyone was so engaged and asked many questions. Staff also noted that this event truly represented the spirit of multi-culturalism and dual language as the Hispanic and Alaskan cultures were celebrated.  The informal gallery talks found people noting the similarities between different cultures in the way they create ceremony and relate their histories. Congratulations to the staff at the Museum for creating such engaging activities.

The National Atomic Museum

“Energy for Life”

               January 16, 2008                

This second Celebra event had a wonderful turnout from the community.  The Museum hosted 567 guests who had dinner, visited the many exhibits and participated in nine bilingual hands-on activities that included an exhibit on x-ray technology from PIMA Institute, a local vocational college and a nano science activity from University of New Mexico.  10 student volunteers from Valley High School helped serve food, greeted people as they came in, helped with activities and organized exit evaluation forms.  Families left with a bilingual overview of the activities and straw rockets, pinwheels and blacklight beaded bracelets they had put together as part of the activities. 

Earth Day

April 19, 2008 

In concert with zoos and aquariums across the nation, the Albuquerque Biological Park celebrated Earth Day in a BIG way with a Party for the Planet on Saturday, April 19, from 10:00am-2:00pm.  Visitors to each of the BioPark’s facilities – Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden and Tingley Beach – learned how to lessen their impact on the Earth and protect animals, plants and habitats.

At each facility, Celebra la Ciencia stations featured family-focused, hands-on science activities taught by bilingual instructors.  All Earth Day activities were included with regular admission.

At the Zoo, visitors learned about endangered animals from around the world and how to protect them.  Children celebrated the “Year of the Frog” as they learned to identify frog calls and study tadpoles.  The New Mexico Solar Energy Association installed a photovoltaic panel on the Zoo’s gift shop during the event and provided information about solar energy.

At the Aquarium, visitors followed a drop of water from the Rio Grande to the sea as they learned about amazing aquatic animals and how to protect marine ecosystems.  Children made their own “mini-aquarium” to take home.

At the Botanic Garden, visitors learned about plants for water-wise gardens and were able to plant seeds to take home for their own garden.  Local landscape architects competed in a chalk art competition in the Aquarium/Botanic Garden plaza and installed temporary xeric landscapes near the parking lot. 

At Tingley Beach, the BioVan showcased plants and animals found along the Rio Grande.  Guided wildlife-watching hikes through the nearby bosque took place as well as  fishing lessons and pond life studies.

Balloon Museum and APS Department of Indian Education

April 29, 2008

This event was closed to the public and was a joint collaboration with APS Indian Education Department, the Balloon Museum, the Balloon Explorium and Celebra la Ciencia.  1,400 guests attended.  Celebra, UNM, ENLACE and a nano-science activity with Stefi (UNM) with shared three tables. 

Fossils Through Time 

May 10, 2008

At the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science parents and children were invited to investigate the fascinating world of fossils! Participants had the opportunity to speak to fossil experts, to create their own fossil art, to dig for fossils, go on a fossil scavenger hunt and watch a dinosaur puppet show!

Explora: a Family Event

November 29, 2007

What a great kick-off for our first Celebra event! 

Explora is a bilingual museum that has over 200 self-directed hands on activities.  400 guests attended this event.  Music was playing, pizza was served and everyone had a wonderful time.  One of the observations from staff and attendees was the “family feeling” of the event.  At one point, parents pitched in to serve pizza and keep the food line moving.  A principal from one of the attending schools said it best:

“WOW – that was truly a wonderful, powerful, exciting and so engaging evening.…There were so many moments that I observe last night - two students talking about vibrations, delighted laugher about air pressure, a little ADHD girl focusing on water flow for 20 minutes, parents and students playing and building marble tracks together.  As I said when I left – my heart was full – with the vision of what learning and exploring the world together can be…….the question survey was 100% positive about the evening – unheard of consistency.”

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