(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.

(8-14 yrs) Join Black Rocket Productions to learn coding language basics such as HTML, JavaScript and CSS through a series of web projects and design challenges. Projects will be available on a Black Rocket website to share with friends and family. Students work in pairs or teams for most of the program. Returning students can create more advanced projects.

(10-14 yrs) Students learn programming concepts using a drag-and-drop platform in the MIT-developed Scratch program. Students use pre-made art or create their own, then program them to walk, talk and interact with objects while learning logic and visual programming then create a simple 2D video game in this Cybertek Academy class.

(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.

(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.

(6-12 yrs.) Explore how bird adaptations allow birds to live in their chosen ecosystem. Study the parks collection of preserved specimens. Followed by outdoor observations and exploration using field tools to learn identification and classification.

(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.

(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.

(8-Adult) Mars has had a long and fascinating history as revealed by spacecraft orbiting the planet and rovers traveling on its surface. We will review the discoveries made by past and current missions and what they say about the possibility of life on Mars. The 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 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. No indoor restrooms available, portable restrooms available. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(8-12 yrs) Python is the world's fastest growing programming language favored by Google, NASA and Youtube. Learn how to code with Python to create engaging apps and games in this Black Rocket Productions class. Each lesson takes you step-by-step on a programming path that lets you challenge friends with fun content you create from start to finish. Students work in pairs or teams for most of the program. Returning students can create more advanced projects.

(10-14 yrs) In this Cybertek Academy course, students will learn how to use coding fundamentals to strategically engineer an immersive, imaginative cosmos for one of the fastest-growing gaming platforms in the world. “Roblox, Imaginative Game Design” provides students with hands-on experiences in innovation and the underlying mechanics of 3D gaming.

(6-9 yrs) In this Cybertek Academy course, students will learn how to use coding fundamentals to strategically engineer an immersive, imaginative cosmos for one of the fastest-growing gaming platforms in the world. “Roblox, Imaginative Game Design” provides students with hands-on experiences in innovation and the underlying mechanics of 3D gaming.

(6-9 yrs) Students explore a different topic such as the sun, life cycles, habitats, volcanoes and plants through short hikes and fun crafts. Homeschoolers welcome.

(8-Adult) Binoculars offer a fine introduction to the sights that lie in our night sky. Learn about different types of binoculars and how to use them to find planets, galaxies, star clusters, nebulae and to visually stroll through the beautiful star fields of the Milky Way. Attendees are welcome to bring binoculars. Program includes an observing session to help you find objects visible in the night sky, weather permitting.

(8-Adult) Learning about the many kinds of sundials and make your own. Sundials are the world's oldest clocks, seen in alignments of Stonehenge and Newgrange. Ben Franklin had exploding sundials and Thomas Jefferson built a new type sundial. Today there are many new sundials. Ever see a digital sundial? As an activity, we'll help you make your own paper sundial that tells accurate time. The course will be held in the Roll-Top observatory classroom followed by telescope observing of the sun.

(8-Adult) Explore everything from space missions to planets, stars, and galaxies with a different monthly topic at The Roll-Top observatory at Turner Farm Park. The topic presentations are for the general public and do not require any specific knowledge of astronomy. Classroom discussion is followed by an observing session with telescopes, weather permitting. Check the Analemma Society website for the monthly topics (www.analemma.org).

(6-12yrs) Do you know what the world’s best hunter is? Dragonflies! Join a park naturalist to explore the exciting lives of the animal kingdom. Outdoor nature hikes, hands-on activities and the use of scientific instruments will turn us into wildlife biologists! Each class covers a different animal’s amazing abilities.