Sam and the Firefly The moon is up and Sam the Owl is ready to play, but when he pops out of his tree everyone else is asleep! What’s an owl to do? Come listen to this story of Sam and his friend Gus the Firefly as they light up the night sky. After the […]

Moths, Mayflies, and Molecules: Using DNA to understand the insect-based diets of birds and fish Brandon Hoenig is a biology PhD student at Duquesne University where he uses modern techniques to answer age-old questions in stream ecology. Brandon studies fish and birds at Powdermill Nature Reserve. He will talk to us about a DNA-based method […]

Presented by Ryan Mathur Beyond the scientific functions of defining Earth processes and fingerprinting sources of materials, the value of stable and radiogenic isotope analyses extends to the cultivation of both cultural knowledge and collaborative relationships. This discussion of the investigation of bronze artifacts from central Europe and China, silver artifacts from Spain, stone tools […]

Nocturnal Insects Fireflies, moths, beetles, and more come out at night! Come hear Andrea Kautz, Powdermill’s Research Entomologist, talk about some of the insects we see at night. After a short presentation, we will head outside in search of these evening fliers. Please note the time change of 8:30 – 10 pm so that we […]

Presented by Kevin Righter The terrestrial planets Earth, Mercury and Mars exhibit very different surface compositions, mineralogy and general properties many of which can be explained by oxygen gradients in the inner solar system. Dr. Righter will use sulfur as an example of the contrasting role of oxygen pressure in controlling the geochemical and mineralogic […]

Presented by Travis Olds Each year, about 100 new minerals are discovered and accepted by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association. Exploration of abandoned mines and reinvestigation of samples from classic localities have allowed mineralogists to discover more new minerals in the past decade than any before. Although […]

Presented by Carla Rosenfeld Selenium (Se) critically influences both ecosystem and human health. In modern times, millions of people are impacted by Se deficiency or toxicity and in geologic history several mass extinctions have been linked to extreme Se deficiency. Additionally, Se chemistry forms the basis for several paleoenvironmental reconstructions of the Earth’s oxygenation history. […]

Did you know that paleontologists, botanists, zoologists, and many other scientists are studying nature and making discoveries at the museum? Meet real scientists and learn more about what they do! Super Science Saturdays is a program at Carnegie Museum of Natural History that invites visitors of all ages to explore a special theme through hands-on […]

Bats at the Beach The sun has set, and the moon has risen—it’s the perfect time for bats to play! What better way to spend a warm summer night than at the beach? The bats pack up their beach toys, snacks, and more and take wing for some salty, sandy fun! Come listen to this […]