Museum of Nature and Science has take-out STEM activity kits for February

The Las Cruces Museum of Nature and Science (MONAS) continues to offer take-out-activity kits in February. Kits are free but require reservation. To reserve kits, email Stephanie Hawkins at shawkins@las-cruces.org. Kits are available while supplies last and must be picked up Wednesday, Feb. 17. Pursuant to state health guidelines, social distancing measures are in place and mask-wearing is required.

Here are the February kits:

• “Saturday Family Science – Rain Gauge Kit.” Build a simple rain gauge to track rainfall in your backyard. Recommended for ages 7 and up.
• “STEAMpunk – Josef Sanchez, NASA Engineer.” Design and test a parachute inspired by NASA engineer Josef Sanchez’s work on the Mars landing system. Recommended for ages 7 and up.
• “Nature & Science Discovery Pre-K.” Explore the past with two dinosaur-themed activities with a junior paleontologist kit. Recommended for ages 2-5.
• “The Underwater World of Bettas!” Learn why the Betta (Siamese Fighting Fish) is a favorite pet by exploring their history and learn how you can make your own successful Betta aquarium. (Betta fish not included.)
• “Tombaugh Day.” Explore planetary science and astronomy and celebrate the legacy of local astronomer Clyde Tombaugh. Learn about the far reaches of the Solar System and beyond. Recommended for all ages.

MONAS, 411 N. Main St., is accessible from RoadRUNNER Transit Route 1 Stop 36

Visit http://las-cruces.org/museums and find city museums on Facebook and Instagram @LCMuseums.

Museum of Nature and Science has Feb. 16 ‘Science Café’

The City of Las Cruces Museum of Nature and Science and Sigma Xi present “Science Café – Life at Earth’s Extremes” with guest speaker Madhan Tirumalai, Ph.D., at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, via Zoom from the University of Houston. Email Stephanie Hawkins at shawkins@las-cruces.org for a link to the program or visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86954149935.

“Extremophiles are organisms that can survive and thrive under extremes of temperature, pH, pressure, radiation and other hostile environments,” the city museum system said in a news release. “They are often considered model organisms to better understand locations in the universe where life might have arisen or continue to exist. The wonderful world of extremophiles continues to expand our understanding of the limits of life on Earth and beyond.”

Tirumalai is a research assistant professor in the University of Houston Department of Biology and Biochemistry. His work focuses on a highly inter-disciplinary area of research, including molecular evolution, space microbiology and comparative genomics, the news release said.

For more information, including updates on museum re-openings, visit http://las-cruces.org/museums, and find city museums on Facebook and Instagram @LCMuseums.