High Desert Museum offers families chance to learn together

The High Desert Museum is now accepting applications for Into the Wild: A Family Adventure Workshop Series and Research Application .

The free program, being offered in partnership with the Deschutes Public Library, is an opportunity for children ages 8-10 and their adult caregivers to discover the natural world through STEM-focused exploration and discovery. Over the course of six Saturdays, from April 7 through May 12, participants will engage in fun, hands-on activities as they learn how to identify and track carnivores living in our forests while investigating how they survive.

Working with wildlife biologists, librarians and Museum educators in the classroom and in the field, students will learn how STEM principles can be applied to wildlife studies. Trail cameras will be assigned to each family, helping them discover what animals live in their own backyards. Families will study the technology of telemetry, learning how to use radio transmissions to track animals in the wild. Engineering concepts will guide participants in designing their own hair snares, which they will build and test at the Museum.

“This program offers children and their caregivers a unique, hands-on opportunity to explore and learn together,” said the Museum’s Director of Programs Christina Cid, Ph.D. “We’re so excited to be able to foster students’ interest in STEM through this program, as well as to inspire a sense of place and community.”

Along with the focus on STEM education, Into the Wild emphasizes art and writing through family storytelling about the workshop experience. Together, each family presents its research, interpretation and discoveries in a book, which is then published and made available through the Deschutes Public Library.

“This amazing partnership with the High Desert Museum and Oregon State University-Cascades allows us to further our mission to enrich lives and build community in a fun, educational and important way,” said Deschutes Public Library’s Director Todd Dunkelberg.

During the course of the workshop series, which was made possible in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Oregon State University researchers will assess the program’s impact and effectiveness with the goal of improving educational family programming nationwide. Space is limited and families must apply by Friday, March 9, 2018, to be considered for participation. Priority acceptance will be given to Central Oregon families outside of Bend. Families accepted into the program will each receive $150 for participating, gas cards to cover transportation costs and lunch during each workshop.

For more information and to apply, visit highdesertmuseum.org/into-the-wild