These are some of the fun activities we’ve hosted in previous years. We’re hoping to have many of our favorite partners and friends back this year!

• McGuire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity– Learn about DNA extraction, build insect aspirators, see live caterpillars, butterflies and moths. See drawers of Lepidoptera and other insects from the museum’s collection.
• Florida Museum Herbarium Collection and Ordway Lab of Ecosystem Conservation– Explore pollination up close with hands-on activities and crafts, connecting the public to the beauty of birds and wild flora in Florida.
• Blackburn Lab– Learn about amphibian and reptile research in the Florida Museum of Natural History specimens, 3D prints, images and a coloring activity.
• Longo Lab– Check out specimens and equipment used in the field of herpetology.
• UF Aquatic Animal Health Program– Learn about Florida marine life like right whales, sea turtles, dolphins and manatees.
• UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute– Design pins featuring environmental messaging.
• Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment– Learn all about ants with a live colony, preserved specimens, videos, games, activities and more.
• Ceramic Technology Lab– See how scientists reconstruct pots using shards and 2D puzzles and how they use these samples to determine the materials and tools that were used.
• Florida Museum South Florida Archaeology and Ethnography Program– Sort through bones, shells and pottery and learn about data analysis with archeological oysters.
• Scheffers Lab– Learn about microclimates and how important they are for plants and animals in tropical rainforests.
• UF Department of Anthropology– Take part in a bone chemistry laboratory and see how scientists use teeth to identify human remains.
• Alachua County Environmental Protection Department– Discover the role aquatic invertebrates have in our water with an interactive activity, specimens, coloring sheets and more.
• UF Chapter of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science– Learn about the women who have made contributions to the world of science with games and activities.
• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services– Use a microscope and dissecting scope to observe different scientific materials and learn about the tools researchers use.