Education

NOT JUST HIGHER EDUCATION. A HIGHER CALLING. EDUCATION FOR A BETTER WORLD ® boothuc.ca Pre-Print Specs SA 16.07 3326 Booth UC Awareness Campaign This pdf was created with the pdf/x-1a setting for final print production. print quality © Grizzard 2016 A special event called DinoSnores: A Night at the Museum starts Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. and wraps up the following morning at 9 a.m. For science programs developer Mike Jensen, museum sleepovers are nothing new since they've been offered for more than two decades to different groups such as school classes, 4-H clubs, Girl Guides and Scouts. However, it's an entirely new endeavour to open up the overnight events for families — and the museum's current World's Giant Dinosaurs exhibit has encouraged organizers to think big about the possibilities. "It's an exclusive night just for those participants," Jensen says. "We're not open to the public or anyone other than those who are registered for the sleepover." He recommends booking in advance since the inaugural event on June 3 sold out, and he predicts the Aug. 26 event will attract the same response. "Participants had exclusive visits to the dinosaur exhibit and the other parts of our facility. It really did feel like it was an intimate atmosphere for families to explore at their own pace," Jensen says. "They can't actually sleep in the dinosaur exhibit, but they sleep in the science gallery with all the exhibits down there. They set up sleeping bags and air mattresses and cots all over the place, so the science gallery is filled with people." The event is geared for kids from eight to 12, and one adult must accompany every three children. Younger and older kids are also welcome; however, Jensen doesn't recommend the sleepover for wee ones under the age of five. Based on experience gleaned from the first DinoSnores sleepover, they will likely make a few adaptations to ensure the experience will be even better for the August event. "We're thrilled with the success of the first one. Quite honestly, it was the adults who were actually expressing the most joy and excitement about it," Jensen says. "Of course, the kids were having a great time too." Since the exhibit ends on Sept. 4, the sleepover provides an unforgettable way to bid farewell to the dinosaur display. "It's near the end of the exhibit, so for anyone who wants one last chance, this is a good opportunity," Jensen says. "Although this dinosaur exhibit won't last here past the summer, we're looking at continuing these sleepovers for the public. They're very popular, so we think we'll keep going with them." For those who would rather visit during regular hours, programs manager Rachel Erickson says there are lots of opportunities to check out the World's Giant Dinosaurs display. For added convenience, the museum is open until 9 p.m. on Friday nights until the end of the dinosaur exhibit. "It's definitely worth seeing because it's an exhibit that everybody gets something different out of. For little kids, it's obviously the 'wow' factor. It's fun to see them come in and be so excited," she says. "The dinosaurs are really impressive. They're some of the biggest dinosaurs that have ever been created for an indoor context. You wouldn't really see anything bigger except if you go to a theme park. We're really lucky to have them here." The massive creatures are also an ideal way to showcase the museum's new exhibit space. "It makes our new Alloway Hall look tiny but it's actually a massive space," she says. "It's been so great to show off the space and what can be done in there. If it can fit these dinosaurs in, you can only imagine what else we can do in the future with it." Adding to the excitement, kids can enjoy some prehistoric playtime in the exhibit's dig pit and get a close-up view of fossils in a display that contains both real and replica specimens. For more hands-on activities, kids can express their artistic side at a craft station. "The exhibit designer explains that we're in the golden age of dinosaurs. We're discovering new dinosaurs every two weeks, and half the dinosaurs we know about these days would've been discovered in the last 20 years," Erickson says. "It's a great time for dinosaurs. You might think you know everything you need to know about these things, but there's tons more to learn." As another option, the Manitoba Museum offers summer day camps right up to Sept. 1 for kids in kindergarten to Grade 5. More information is available under the Programs and Events section of the museum's website at manitobamuseum.ca. ❚ You'll discover abundant options for learning, with small class sizes and a close-knit, caring campus that's designed to help you succeed. BrandonU.ca Discover the possibilities Discover BU. Discover your future Discover yourself '' It's a great time for dinosaurs. You might think you know everything you need to know about these things, but there's tons more to learn."

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