BugFest

Posted on September 20, 2013 by daddyweekly

Another annual event that we’re looking forward to each fall is BugFest. It is organized by the Science Museum, and it clearly deserves being called a “Fest”. Live Bugs, Dead Bugs, Small Bugs, Big Bugs, Bug Movies, Bug Crafts, Bug Races, Bug Art: It is BugFest. To point out my personal favorites:

The Alberti Flea Circus: We’ve all heard of a Flea Circus, but have you actually seen one? Performing at BugFest throughout the day.
Cafe Insecta: They serve bugs. No kidding! Fried Grasshoppers, anyone?
Horseshoe Crabs: If you’ve been to an aquarium around here, you’ll know that they are among the most fascinating sea creatures.
Cyborg Insects: NC State’s iBionics Lab connects microcontrollers to cockroach brains, and makes them run left or right.
Stump the Experts: Bring any bug to the examination table and the experts will identify it. (We did that last year, and brought what turned out to be a Phidippus Audax we found earlier that day.)

Visit the BugFest website for detailed directions, or just head out to the museum and the Plaza and enjoy what you find.

Phidippus audax (yes, we singlehandedly caught one last year)

Engineers Day at Museum of Life and Science (Sat 10-4)

Posted on August 9, 2013 by daddyweekly

Saturday is Engineers Day at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. Some of the programs are geared towards kids 10+, but the many engineering-related exhibits are suitable for all ages. Plus, if interests for engineering should wane, there is always plenty more to explore at this marvelous museum, like the butterfly house or the cool outdoors playground.

Robot Extravaganza at the library

Posted on August 2, 2013 by daddyweekly

Wake Robotics is a non-profit that aims to bring robotics to Wake county kids. They have many camps and semester long programs, among them FLL and First Robotics teams.

They are hosting an outreach event this Saturday at Eva Perry library in Cary from 1p-2p. This is for kids from Kindergarten through 5th grade, and registration is required at 919-387-2100.

Photo by Nate Swart, used under the CC BY-NC-ND license.

Sun Power at Crowder District Park; Water Works at Blue Jay Park

Posted on July 19, 2013 by daddyweekly

Sign up today for these two family program today since pre-registration is required.

Many parks have free or cheap activity program, and I just picked two examples: Crowder Park is looking up to the sun, and forward to harnessing solar power on Sunday from 2p-3p. $5 for the entire family.

On the opposite side of Raleigh, Blue Jay Point is focusing on water and all the nice little creatures that live in it. This is on Saturday from 10-11.

Photo is by Rhys Asplundh

Maker Faire – Creativity in all its Diversity

Posted on June 15, 2013 by daddyweekly

The great thing about Maker Faire is that is bring together a wide, wide range of creative expression. Here three shots that try to capture that diversity.

Stormtrooper vs. Quadcopter

Spinner and Giant Robots

3D Printer and Recycled Glass Art

First impressions from Maker Fair NC

Posted on June 15, 2013 by daddyweekly

Here some first impressions from Maker Faire NC.
Open today until 6pm – much more stuff than last year, so come on out!

Felted electronics = Feltronics

spoonflower-powered make and sew kit

Awesome self-designed tank differential gear made in Lego

Maker Faire NC 2013 (Sat 6/15, 10-6)

Posted on June 14, 2013 by daddyweekly

“To make” is probably one of the broadest terms in language, but Maker Faire does it all justice. Make your own combat robot? Crochet your own superhero mask? Build your own bass guitar? Fly to Outer Space, launching from the NC Fairgrounds? All that and more can be seen at the Maker Faire.
MakerFaire is a mashup of robotics, hacking, crafts, knitters, steampunks and Stormtroopers. And my kids. you wonder? There are many kids in attendance, and a good number of exhibits are suitable for little ones. They may not yet appreciate the intricacies of a steampunk trebuchet, but they will like the Chaos machine (a marble run that is larger than their room), the combat robots, and much more.

North Carolina’s 4th Mini Maker Faire set for June 15 (makezine.com)

Grand Re-Opening of Around Town at Marbles (Sat 6/1/13)

Posted on May 31, 2013 by daddyweekly

The “Around Town” exhibit at Marbles has been closed for a few weeks because it was being updated and remodeled. (“Around Town” is the large exhibit when you come in, with the bus, the grocery store, the ambulance, the stage, and of course the train table.)

Most things are reportedly still there, and a new farm-themed topic has been added, to introduce kids to NC livestock and crops. I’m glad to see that the new train table is actually bigger, I was a bit worried it would have to make place for something else. (“Don’t mess with Thomess!”) I think we were actually there the last day that it was open, and it would only be appropriate to go back on the first day it re-opens.

Beyond the new exhibits, I also spotted a beautiful new mural by Denise Hughes, which is in my eyes one of the nicest aspects of Marbles. (I also like her recent work in the recently opened toddler room.)

Memorial Day at Marbles (5/27)

Posted on May 24, 2013 by daddyweekly

Marbles is dressing up in red, white and blue on Memorial Day, and creating a splash. Topics will include rocket science, fireworks painting, and a “Star-Spangled Dance Party”. Marbles is open from 9-5 on Monday.

Turtle Day in Holly Springs (Sat 5/11)

Posted on May 10, 2013 by daddyweekly

Holly Springs is serious about its turtles, and celebrates the annual TurtleFest. Crafts, Hayrides, Live Music, and, of course, turtles.
TurtleFest takes place at Bass Lake Park, a scenic place to hang out, or walk along the lake. If you want a change of scenery this weekend, Bass Lake is only 30 minutes from downtown Raleigh, down Lake Wheeler Road.

Image by Ken Thomas [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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Things to do with Kids in Raleigh, NC

Category Archives: Science