Stamford, CT -- The Stamford Museum & Nature Center has released its Calendar of Events for December through early February, as follows:
DECEMBER
Winter Planetarium Shows
Sundays, December 4, 11
12 and 1:30 pm
Take a virtual tour of the constellations and planets in our galaxy and learn how to recognize common winter constellations, which planets are made of rock or gas, and more! Topics and content will vary each week. Programs begin promptly at 12 and 1:30 pm; seating is limited, especially during the Billion Bricks 4: Superheroes in Gothamexhibition. Doors will open 10 minutes before show time; no late admissions, please. Recommended for ages 6 and up.
SM&NC Members: FREE | Non-Members: Included with gate admission
Scout Build it, Break it, Make it Day
Sunday, December 18, 1-4 pm
It’s our favorite time of year—the annual Billion Bricks exhibition in the Stamford Museum! This year, we’re all about Superheroes in Gotham, and are inviting local Scout Troops to take part. Visit our amazing exhibit and get a chance to build, break, and make things of your own. We’ll have free build time with our favorite building blocks, use our favorite recipe to make something yummy to take home, and meet some animal builders and breakers, too! Scouts will be grouped and will rotate through activities. Limited to 60 Girl and Boy Scouts for a great experience. Scouts may register with their parents or with their troops/dens. To register, e-maillmonachelli@stamfordmuseum.org. Fees: $9/scout. Troop/den leaders free; additional adults: $2/each.
Junior WILD! Keepers (ages 10–14)
Saturdays, December 3, 10, 17, 10 am–12 pm
Discover how the SM&NC Environmental Education staff cares for our exotic teaching animals in this unique hands-on program. Work with our reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and invertebrates in the Heckscher WILD! exhibit and learn the proper techniques of feeding, handling, and caring for these exotic animals. We will learn about proper food choice for animals by preparing diets, explore how we habituate animals for classes through handling, and go through specific needs for certain species. After completion of this class, participants will be eligible to volunteer with the animals in the Heckscher WILD! exhibit. Limited enrollment. Register atstamfordmuseum.org; code: JWKW1. For more information, call 203.977.6521. Fees: SM&NC Members: $110 | Non-Members: $125
Astronomy Nights: Fridays at the Stamford Observatory
Friday, December 9 – Space Colonization
Head up to the Stamford Observatory for an exciting astronomy program about Space Colonization! Start at 7 pm with a presentation by Jupiter Joe, followed by a visit to view the night sky through our 22-inch telescope. The presentation portion of the program will be held rain or shine. Viewing hours are weather permitting.
7 pm: Presentation (rain or shine)
8 pm: Telescope Viewing (weather permitting)
Please call 203.977.6537 for weather updates in regards to telescope viewing. Recommended for ages 5 and older. Location: Behind the Heckscher Farm, enter from Scofieldtown Road. GPS users enter – 151 Scofieldtown Road. SM&NC Members: Free | Non-Members: Adults $5, Children (5-17) $3
Vacation Drop-off Programs (ages 4–5)
Monday, December 19 & Tuesday, December 20
9:30 am–12 pm
Join us for a morning of nature play, live animals, crafts, and more! Our environmental educators will lead an exploration of winter trails, introduce children to some of our animal teachers, and share stories and crafts. Enrollment is limited to 12 children for a quality small-group experience. Participants must be age 4 or older by the date of the program. Snack and drink will be served. Meet at Overbrook Nature Center. To register, please call the Environmental Education office at 203.977.6540 or e-mail smnc.education@gmail.com. SM&NC Members:$30/child or $50/child for both days | Non-Members: $35/child or $60/child for both days.
LEGO® WORKSHOPS AT THE STAMFORD MUSEUM
Registration for the SM&NC’s popular A Billion Bricks interactive family workshops begins December 5 for SM&NC Members; December 12 for non-members. Here’s the schedule and pricing information; register soon, as these programs quickly fill:
Saturday, January 7: Superhero Mobiles
Two sessions: 10 am–12 pm & 2–4 pm
Build and race a LEGO brick car – Bring your favorite LEGO Superhero to add to your vehicle. Recommended for ages 6 and up, limited to 40 participants per session.
Sunday, January 8: Brick-Built Batman and Robin
Two sessions: 10 am–12 pm & 2–4 pm
Build a “brick-built” Batman and Robin (that you get to keep). If time allows we can also build vehicles to race on the ramp. Recommended for ages 6 and up, limited to 40 participants per session.
Saturday & Sunday, January 21–22: Superhero Animation -- Lights! Camera! Action!
Two sessions each day: 10 am–12 pm & 2–4 pm
LEGO Superhero animation with ILUGNY facilitators, led by Alex Kobbs of Kooberz Studios. Learn how to film stop-action animation with LEGO creations and mini figures. Recommended for ages 10 and up, limited to 30 participants per session.
SM&NC Members: $40 (one adult & one child), $25 for each additional adult/child. Non-members: $55 (one adults & one child), $25 for each additional adult/child (includes Gate admission). Pre-registration and pre-payment are required for all workshops. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited. Call 203.977.6521 to register.
LEGO® is a trademark belonging to LEGO® Systems A/S and is used throughout the exhibition with this understanding. The Stamford Museum & Nature Center thanks LEGO® for allowing the use of the term within our educational context.
EXHIBITIONS
A BILLION BRICKS 4: Superheroes in Gotham
Through February 5, 2017
An Amazing New LEGO® Cityscape at the SM&NC!
Skylines and superheroes! The ILUGNY team has built a fantasy Gotham City featuring five of the most iconic buildings in New York City – and they are HUGE! LEGO trains, trams, and subways travel over, under, and around a totally new LEGO landscape where superheroes save the day. Bring the whole family to the SM&NC’s ever-popular annual exhibition and be awed by these remarkable architectural landmarks – each made completely of LEGO bricks.
The Stamford Museum’s A Billion Bricks 4: Superheroes in Gotham exhibition is open to the public Monday-Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm; Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm. Admission is free to SM&NC Members and children age 3 and under. Admission for non-members: $10 per adult; $8 seniors (65+); $6 students (18+, with valid ID); $5 children (4-17).