(10-14 yrs) In this Cybertek Academy class students are introduced to basic 2D and 3D animation techniques using Minecraft characters and stages. Kids expand their perception, observation, and timing skills, as well as exercise their imagination and storytelling by studying motion in reality, then apply these skills to animation. Students learn how animators work by completing a variety of short animation exercises and projects.

(6-10 yrs) In this Cybertek Academy class students are introduced to basic 2D and 3D animation techniques using Minecraft characters and stages. Kids expand their perception, observation, and timing skills, as well as exercise their imagination and storytelling by studying motion in reality, then apply these skills to animation. Students learn how animators work by completing a variety of short animation exercises and projects.

(8-Adult) What's new in the night sky? Join park naturalists as they take you on a tour of constellations, comets and other current events happening in the heavens above. Children must be accompanied by adult also registered.

(6-8 yrs) In this Cybertek Academy class, students use a custom mod called “Computercraft” to program robots called “Turtles” inside the world of Minecraft. Students utilize problem-solving skills to program their robots to complete various tasks and objectives such as automatically building, mining, and crafting items and structures. Students are introduced to programming if-then-else statements, for-while loops, and implementing their own functions using Lua, a simple scripting language.

(8-13 yrs) In this C3ybertek Academy class, students use a custom mod called “Computercraft” to program robots called “Turtles” inside the world of Minecraft. Students utilize problem-solving skills to program their robots to complete various tasks and objectives such as automatically building, mining, and crafting items and structures. Students are introduced to programming if-then-else statements, for-while loops, and implementing their own functions using Lua, a simple scripting language.

(8-Adult) The Moon is as old as the Earth, and its surface is marked by craters and lava flows billions of years old. Explore these lunar features through a high-powered telescope and learn about their origins. See where the Apollo lunar landings occurred, and discuss what the astronauts found. Class meets rain or shine with alternate viewing sessions available for cloudy days. Advance registration required, no walk-in registration available.

(6-11) Challenge your engineering skills as we explore construction techniques and put them into real world practice to save the three little pigs from the big bad wolf.

(6-12 yrs.) Join a park naturalist to learn about this branch of astronomy that studies stars including how they are formed, what they are made of, and their life cycle. Learn the myths and legends behind well-known constellations.

(6-12 yrs.) How does an animals body covering, like fur, feathers or scales, help it to survive? Learn the how mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish are classified. We use outdoor exploration, observation and lab skills to explore this topic.

(6-12 yrs.) Did you know that beavers are a keystone species and they created the wetland habitat at Huntley? Learn about what a keystone species is, the beavers life cycle, adaptations and impact on the environment. We use outdoor exploration, observation and lab skills to explore this topic.

(6-12 yrs.) Discover why insects and their partners, bugs, shouldn’t be overlooked. These amazing creatures help the ecosystems they live in stay healthy. Join a naturalist to explore the diverse habitats of Huntley Meadows Park to learn about insects and their usefulness using scientific instruments and observation. Examine preserved specimens followed by outdoor exploration to find and identify live insects.

(8-14 yrs.) In this Youth Technology Network course students learn to use computer-aided design software and design thinking methods to create, customize, prepare, and print digital objects.

(8-14 yrs.) In this Youth Technology Network program students learn the skills needed to operate safely in the worldwide web of cyberspace such as cyber safety, cyber hygiene and healthy online behavior. Other topics include what is dangerous to do online and proper online communication skills. Required equipment and materials are included.

(8-14 yrs.) In this Youth Technology Network “hands-on & brains-on” STEM program students build and operate a small drone while exploring physics, math, electronics, engineering, coding, teambuilding, as well as developing motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Course also covers recreational and professional uses for drones and how to operate them safely and responsibly. All materials provided.

(8-Adult) Now that you have received a new telescope, how do you set it up and use it? Or are you considering buying a telescope? This course goes into introductory basics of astronomy, observing the sky, and what you need to know to setup and use your telescope. Will provide hands-on use of telescopes and observing objects in the sky in the Roll-Top Observatory if the weather allows. Attendees can bring their own telescope for assistance and advice. Advance registration required, no walk-in registration available.

(8-Adult) This course provides a general introduction to some fundamentals of astronomy and the universe we see in the sky around us. We will discuss the basic types of astronomical objects from the small to the large, the motions of the planets and stars, and interesting phenomena in the night sky. The classroom discussion is followed by an observatory session with telescopes, weather permitting. The course is held rain or clear skies in the Roll-Top Observatory at Turner.

(8-Adult) What are meteorites? Where do they come from? What do they tell us? This class is an introduction to these visitors from outer space. Participants will be able to examine actual meteorites including specimens from the Moon and Mars. The discussion is followed by an observatory session with telescopes, weather permitting. The course will be held in the Roll-Top observatory classroom at Turner Farm Park.

(10-14 yrs) In this Cybertek Academy class, students learn to create their own custom gameplay items and elements using MCreator and Minecraft. Students also learn to create artwork for various items, and implement them into the game with custom behaviors. Design your own custom blocks, weapons, food, biomes and more.

(6-9 yrs) In this Cybertek Academy class, students learn to create their own custom gameplay items and elements using MCreator and Minecraft. Students also learn to create artwork for various items, and implement them into the game with custom behaviors. Design your own custom blocks, weapons, food, biomes and more.

(8-Adult) We are familiar with the stars and planets that we can see when the Sun sets. However, the night sky contains many wonders that are visible with binoculars or modest telescopes. This fun and interactive presentation is designed as an introduction to the most common of these astronomical “deep sky” objects. After the class, look through the telescopes in the observatory (weather permitting). The course is held rain or clear skies in the Roll-Top Observatory.

(8-Adult) This program is a fun tour of planets, constellations, stars, nebulas, and galaxies in the night sky that can be seen with the eye and in telescopes at the Roll-Top observatory at Turner Farm Park. If inclement weather, then we will discuss and show images of objects that could be observed in clear skies. No knowledge of astronomy is needed, just an interest in learning about the universe around our planet. The course is held rain or clear skies in the Roll-Top Observatory at Turner Farm Park.

(6-Adult) Explore the exciting world of science with fun hands-on experiments, activities, and challenges! Enrich your understanding of various science and engineering topics using scientific investigations, observations, and lab skills with the guidance of a park naturalist. Each outdoor class will focus on a different science theme. Check session notes for details. All supplies included. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(6-Adult) This program is a tour of the planets and moons of our Solar System which are viewable in the current night sky. The classroom discussion is followed by an observatory session of planets and the stars beyond in telescopes, weather permitting. No knowledge of astronomy is needed, just an interest in learning about the universe. The course is held rain or clear skies in the Roll-Top Observatory at Turner Farm Park. Children need to be accompanied by a registered adult.

(5-11 yrs.) Learn how skeletons aren't scary, but are essential to your everyday life. Make a glow-in-the-dark skeleton craft to take home.

(8-Adult) This course covers for beginner and less experienced telescope users the basics of observing the night sky and objects with a telescope and astronomy resources you might use. Will provide hands-on observing with telescopes if the weather allows. Attendees can bring their own telescopes to use and for assistance. Supplements the “Introduction to Telescopes” class but can be taken independently. The course is held rain or clear skies in the Roll-Top Observatory at Turner Farm Park.