Science Saturday
Our monthly Science Saturdays give scientists and environmentalists of all ages the opportunity to join in some fun and engaging activities! (Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.)
Fall 2019
Smithsonian Museum Day
Saturday, September 21, 10 a.m. - noon
The Gillespie Museum's first Science Saturday, 2019-20, joins the annual celebration of boundless curiosity hosted by Smithsonian Magazine. Museum Day brings together museums, zoos & cultural centers from all fifty states to offer free admission, and a national commitment to access, equity and inclusion. Come and browse the museum’s mineral collections and displays, and get a sneak peak at our new exhibit Agatized Coral and Other Silicified Fossils, which will be officially opening in October. This exhibit, featuring Florida’s state stone, is a stunning and diverse assemblage drawn from the personal collections of Florida geologists Sam Upchurch, PhD, former professor and chairman of the geology department of the University of South Florida, and Gary Maddox, a state hydrogeologist and co-owner of Apalachee Minerals. This month’s Science Saturday focus will be a study of agatized and silicified corals and other marine fossils from four important localities in Florida: Withlacoochee River, Ballast Point, Nutall Rise and Econfina River. Visitors will learn how these fossils are formed. Through some lab experiments, microscope work, and coloring pages, they will identify how the color and structure often varies by location. Hands-on and creative science for all ages!
Mostly Green Halloween
Saturday, October 26, 10 a.m. - noon
Our eleventh annual fall fair! -- A showcase of hands-on activities and experiments demonstrating some of the mysteries of the plant and animal world. The activities encourage visitors to engage with the wonders of nature. Gillespie Museum guides and Florida native plant interns will lead activities in the museum and on its grounds. Visitors can enjoy a scavenger hunt, the Mysterious Microscope chamber, a book walk and watercolor workshop.
All will be welcome to explore the museum’s mineral collections and earth science displays, including our newest exhibit Agatized Coral. The public is invited to participate in this free, family-friendly Halloween-themed event, which is one of the museum’s monthly Science Saturdays and welcomes scientists of all ages (children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult). Costumes are encouraged!
Founders Day and Homecoming Open House
Saturday, November 9, 10 a.m. - noon
A celebration of the Gillespie Museum’s six decades of earth science education. Browse the museum’s historic mineral collections and current special exhibit, Agatized Coral. Birthday cake and rock swap for scientists of all ages!