Bulletin report
The Las Cruces Museum of Nature and Science (MONAS) will offer free programs for children and families in June that includes crime solving, skulls, fossils, Sally Ride and desert safety.
Registration is not required except as noted.
- “Nature & Science Discovery PreK”: 10 a.m. Thursdays, 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Investigate alien life through hands-on explorations, stories and crafts. For ages 2-5 with adult caregiver.
- “Saturday Science – Crime Investigation”: 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, June 3. Collect clues to solve a “crime” at a mock crime scene at the museum. For ages 6 and up with adult caregiver.
- “Live Animal Feedings”: 11 a.m. Saturdays June 3 (turtles) and 10 (snakes).
- “Desert Safety Workshop: Hiking Safety”: 2 p.m. Saturday, June 3. Meet with members of Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue to learn about hiking safety and outdoor awareness.
- “STEAMpunk – Mechanical Hands”: 11 a.m. Saturday, June 10. Ritu Raman is a bioengineer who makes machines out of living cells. Inspired by her work, participants will make a model mechanical hand using common materials. For ages 6 and older.
- “SKULLtastic!”: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 14. Learn about different animal skulls, teeth and ways to identify animals through cranial features.
- “FOSSILS!”: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 17. Explore the 3.5-billion-year odyssey of life with a geologist and real fossil specimens. Learn about invertebrates (animals with exoskeletons) that lived millions of years ago.
- “Sally’s Night”: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 21. Celebrate the first time an American woman astronaut looked back at Earth from space. Learn about Sally Ride and celebrate astronomy with hands-on activities for all ages.
- “Desert Safety Workshop: Venomous Animal Safety”: 8 a.m. Saturday, June 24. Join the MONAS curator of living collections to discuss venomous animal safety during a guided hike at Soledad Canyon in the westside foothills of the Organ Mountains. Learn about the habitats of venomous animals and what to do if you encounter a venomous animal while on the trail. Registration is required. Contact Angela Micevska at 575-532-3372 and amicevska@lascruces.gov. Meet at the trailhead at 8 a.m.
MONAS, 411 N. Main St. downtown, is accessible from RoadRUNNER Transit Route 1 Stop 1.
Visit www.lascruces.gov/museums and follow Las Cruces Museums on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @LCMuseums.
