Moriarty Science Seminar: "Ceratopsian dinosaurs in the 21st Century: Lifestyles of the Horned and Hornless"
2023-01-09 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Hybrid: Online and At the Museum
R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar Presents: “Ceratopsian Dinosaurs in the 21st Century: Lifestyles of the Horned and Hornless”
Speaker: Eric Morschhauser, Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
This event will take place Monday, January 9 at Noon both online and at Earth Theater.
Abstract: Ceratopsians, the horned dinosaurs, were first discovered in the late 19th Century and have been among the most popular and widely known dinosaurs ever since. For much of that time most known species shared a familiar and iconic body plan seen in things like Triceratops, large, rhinoceros-like quadrupedal herbivores with horns and elaborate head frills. But the number of known ceratopsian species has more than tripled in the last 25 years. Those new species are much more varied than previously suspected. Slightly less than half of all known ceratopsians species are smaller than deer, and most of those lack horns entirely. Once known from only the end of the Cretaceous in North America, ceratopsian dinosaurs now have a 100-million-year history on perhaps three continents.
Studies of ceratopsians, both horned and hornless, span important questions in 21st Century paleontology. They can help us understand the timing of interconnections and movements between continents as they radiated and spread across the Earth. They can help us look at the tempo and mode of evolution. They are even being used to examine the question of what it means to be a distinct species of dinosaur.
.
Register Now

Super Science Saturday: Deep Freeze
2023-01-14 12:00 - 16:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
Feeling the chill? Warm up in the snow house in Polar World: Wyckoff Hall of Arctic Life and hear stories of how the Inuit people survive and thrive in the Arctic. See how museum professionals use the freezing process to conserve objects and specimens in our care. Celebrate “Polar Bear Birthday Season” by signing our polar bear-sized birthday card and much more.

Sponsors
Super Science Saturdays are sponsored by PA Cyber, TribLIVE, and Tender Care Learning Centers, a proud partner of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.

Science and Nature Lecture with Andrea Kautz
2023-01-22 14:00 - 15:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
Entomology Never Sleeps: The Curious Lives of Winter-active Insects
​Christmas Bird Counts are a well-known winter tradition, but what about Christmas Bug Counts? Some insects thrive in wintery conditions and can only be found during this otherwise sleepy time of year. Andrea Kautz, an entomologist at Powdermill Nature Reserve, will talk about these fascinating creatures, how to find them, and the adaptations they have evolved for such a frigid way of life.
Join us as we explore seasonal natural history phenomena of Powdermill Nature Reserve! A lecture will be given in the Parker Room at 2 pm. Lectures are structured for adult audiences, and children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Events fill up fast! Registration is recommended to guarantee your spot and help us plan timing, seating, and/or trail routes. If there are spots available at the time of the program, non-registered individuals can join on a first-come, first-served basis. Program participants and visitors are expected to adhere to the public health guidance and Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh procedures in place at the time of their visit.

Homeschool Class: Environmental Science 2 (High School
2023-01-23 09:00 - 11:30 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
This winter, explore the realms of atmosphere and climate change in the second of this year’s three-part Environmental Science series. Examine Earth’s geologic formations, atmospheric composition, and oceanography to understand the regional availability of natural energy resources. Explore renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy and the global impact their local and regional use has on the atmosphere, land, and water.
Enrollment in all three sections is not required, but students who complete all three parts of the series will receive a certificate of achievement.
See All Homeschool Classes

Homeschool Class Schedule
Meets in person on Mondays: January 23 & 30, February 6, 13, & 20Runs from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Last day to register is Monday, January 16, 2023Please register once per student per class series.Capacities are limited and all staff and participants are required to adhere to current public health and Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh procedures.

Homeschool Class Registration
Is this class sold out? Sign up for the waitlist!

Homeschool Class: Storybook Science (Ages 5-7)
2023-01-23 13:00 - 15:30 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
Immerse yourself in beloved stories as we read, act, and experiment together. Explore storybook curiosities from dragons to mermaids and search for their connections in the natural world. Hunt for hidden treasures in Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems, and learn what it takes for a fairy (or butterfly) to take to the skies. See if you can grow a beanstalk as tall as Jack’s as you uncover the science behind the stories.
See All Homeschool Classes

Homeschool Class Schedule
Meets in person on Mondays: January 23 & 30, February 6, 13, & 20Runs from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.Last day to register is Monday, January 16, 2023Please register once per student per class series.Capacities are limited and all staff and participants are required to adhere to current public health and Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh procedures.

Homeschool Class Registration
Is this class sold out? Sign up for the waitlist!

Educator Workshop: Biodiversity
2023-01-24 09:00 - 15:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
Help co-design new tools that use real world museum specimens and data to bring learning to life. Connect with scientists and educators from Carnegie Museum of Natural History to test new resources that will help your students grasp just how much diversity there is in the animal kingdom. Using the world of insects as an example, we’ll dig deep into the definition and topic of biodiversity. This workshop will explore the Youth Equity + STEM framework as well as introduce digital resources and physical objects that can be borrowed from the museum.
This workshop welcomes educators from all subject areas and grade levels.
If more than 50% of your students qualify for free or reduced-price school lunch, your school or organization will be eligible for a scholarship towards a museum field trip after the workshop.
Funding is available to reimburse your school or district for substitute teacher costs on the day that you attend this workshop.

Homeschool Class: Global Explorer (Ages 8-10)
2023-01-25 13:00 - 15:30 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
Grab your passport and get ready for a trek through the foreign lands of the museum. Learn how to survive a night in the frozen Arctic and how to stay cool in the heat of the Sahara. Discover cultural cuisine and taste unusual foods from around the world. Unearth the history of early human habitation in North America and delve into experimental archaeology through challenges like mixing pigments for rock art.
See All Homeschool Classes

Homeschool Class Schedule
Meets in person on Wednesdays: January 25, February 1, 8, 15, & 22Runs from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.Last day to register is Monday, January 16, 2023Please register once per student per class series.Capacities are limited and all staff and participants are required to adhere to current public health and Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh procedures.

Homeschool Class Registration
Is this class sold out? Sign up for the waitlist!

Family Nature Walk at Powdermill
2023-02-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
Join us as we hit the trails for a guided nature walk! We’ll meet in the atrium of the Powdermill Nature Center at 2 pm before heading outside to explore. This family-friendly experience is open to participants of all ages.
Events fill up fast! Registration is recommended to guarantee your spot and help us plan timing, seating, and/or trail routes. If there are spots available at the time of the program, non-registered individuals can join on a first-come, first-served basis.

Family Nature Walk
Saturday, February 4, 2023 2 p.m.

Sold out? Sign up for our waitlist!

Super Science Saturday: Women and Girls in Science
2023-02-11 12:00 - 16:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
Are you ready to change the world? Celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science by exploring how women, girls, and non-binary people have used their insights and perspectives to make groundbreaking discoveries and advocate for a sustainable future. Experiment with activities inspired by the research of women at the museum. Talk directly with science professionals about the vital work they do every day to help make our planet a better place.

Sponsors
Super Science Saturdays are sponsored by PA Cyber, TribLIVE, and Tender Care Learning Centers, a proud partner of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.

Moriarty Science Seminar: "Follow Your Nose: How birds use scent to find mates, assess rivals, and recognize relatives"
2023-02-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar Presents: “Follow Your Nose: How birds use scent to find mates, assess rivals, and recognize relatives”
Speaker: Danielle Whittaker, Oregon State University.
This event will take place online Monday, February 13 at Noon.
Abstract: Smell has been called the most ancient sense, and songbirds are no exception in their use of it. Behavioral, genomic, and neurobiological work has demonstrated that birds can use smell to navigate, find food, avoid predators, and even communicate with each other. The primary source of odors in most birds is preen oil, secreted by the uropygial gland and used by birds in grooming and maintaining their feathers. The compounds that make up these odors provide important information about a bird’s identity, health, breeding status, aggressiveness, and more. Interestingly, these compounds appear to be produced by symbiotic microbes that inhabit the uropygial gland. In this talk, Dr. Whittaker will share over a decade of her research on dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis), a widespread North American sparrow, investigating how these odors are produced, what they communicate, and how they relate to behavior.
.
Register Now

Science and Nature Lecture: Bluebird
2023-02-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
Not very long ago, Eastern Bluebird populations were in decline. Thanks to many dedicated lovers of nature, they are doing much better. Can this improvement be sustained? Join us and explore the bluebird’s history in Pennsylvania, their uncertain future, and what you can do to help. Following the lecture, participants will have the opportunity to pick up a bluebird house kit to take home. Supplies may be limited, and distribution will be first come, first serve.
Join us as we explore seasonal natural history phenomena of Powdermill Nature Reserve! A lecture will be given in the Parker Room at 2 pm. Lectures are structured for adult audiences, and children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Events fill up fast! Registration is recommended to guarantee your spot and help us plan timing, seating, and/or trail routes. If there are spots available at the time of the program, non-registered individuals can join on a first-come, first-served basis. Program participants and visitors are expected to adhere to the public health guidance and Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh procedures in place at the time of their visit.

Educator Workshop: Seasonal Cycles
2023-02-21 09:00 - 15:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
Help develop new learning tools that promote youth engagement in science and explore the Youth Equity + STEM framework. Team up with scientists and educators from Carnegie Museum of Natural History to test innovative resources that will help your students recognize and analyze patterns and cycles in nature. We’ll learn about efforts of museum scientists and other professionals to use observational data (like the timing of flowering and leaf out in wildflowers) to provide insights on the effects of climate change. This workshop will introduce physical tools that can be borrowed from the museum for classroom use and will explore inventive ways for learners to demonstrate their developing expertise.
This workshop welcomes educators from all subject areas and grade levels.
If more than 50% of your students qualify for free or reduced-price school lunch, your school or organization will be eligible for a scholarship towards a museum field trip after the workshop.
Funding is available to reimburse your school or district for substitute teacher costs on the day that you attend this workshop.

Expedition Patagonia: LiveStream
2023-02-23 16:00 | Online

Moriarty Science Seminar: "Using the Past to Predict the Future: What Museum Specimens Can Tell Us About Ecological Responses to Anthropogenic Change"
2023-02-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Hybrid: Online and At the Museum
R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar Presents: “Using the Past to Predict the Future: What Museum Specimens Can Tell Us About Ecological Responses to Anthropogenic Change“
Speaker: Jennifer Sheridan, Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
This event will take place Monday, February 27 at Noon both online and at Earth Theater.
Abstract: Animal body size dictates a host of life history features, including survival, competitive success, and reproductive output. As such, it can serve as a proxy for how these variables have changed over time, in response to factors such as climate and land use. Despite numerous examples of size declines related to increasing temperatures, patterns of size change are not universal, suggesting that one or more primary mechanisms impacting size change are unknown. In this talk, Dr. Sheridan will discuss the theoretical basis for how body size is expected to change under future climate warming, and share recent evidence for a crossover effect between temperature and precipitation. This recent work suggests a shift from amphibian size being driven by resource availability at cooler temperatures to desiccation resistance at warmer temperatures. Sheridan will also share current related research in the section, including work which incorporates land use change into body size models.
.
Register Now

Family Nature Walk at Powdermill
2023-03-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
Join us as we hit the trails for a guided nature walk! We’ll meet in the atrium of the Powdermill Nature Center at 2 pm before heading outside to explore. This family-friendly experience is open to participants of all ages.
Events fill up fast! Registration is recommended to guarantee your spot and help us plan timing, seating, and/or trail routes. If there are spots available at the time of the program, non-registered individuals can join on a first-come, first-served basis.

Family Nature Walk
Saturday, March 4, 2023 2 p.m.

Sold out? Sign up for our waitlist!

Carnegie Discoverers: Microfauna of Yellowstone: The Park’s Most Fascinating Species are the Ones You Can’t See from the Tour Bus
2023-03-09 18:00 - 20:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
Speaker: Ainsley Seago, PhD, Associate Curator, Invertebrate Zoology, Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Yellowstone, the crown jewel of America’s national park system, is visited annually by millions of sightseers from around the world, who are thrilled by the prospect of glimpsing bison herds, grizzly bears, elk, and other majestic wild creatures. However, the most spectacular wildlife may be the overlooked creatures at their feet. Ten incredible insect species from Yellowstone National Park will be examined and what ecological and evolutionary tricks they use to survive in a truly challenging wild landscape will be discussed.
This is a Carnegie Discoverers meeting. Membership to the Carnegie Discoverers opens doors to in-depth and up-close experiences with scientists, exhibition designers, and program directors across the museum. Become a member today to enjoy exclusive access to all the world-class scientific and educational treasures that Carnegie Museum of Natural History has to offer. Learn more about Carnegie Discoverers and how to join.

Super Science Saturday: Nature’s Palette
2023-03-11 12:00 - 16:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
Investigate the patterns, shapes, and colors all around us. Use this inspiration to create artwork in your own sketchbook (while supplies last). Explore the dazzling spectrum that helps insects, mammals and many other animals thrive in their environments. See if you can find where Waldo, the Jackson’s chameleon, and Bluey, the blue-tongued skink, the museum’s newest animal ambassadors are hiding inside an interactive diorama. Fold and press your own origami flowers, learn how seeds can come together to create a masterpiece, and discover how UV light can illuminate hidden properties of minerals. Learn how people from many different cultures draw meaning from color, from ancient Egypt to the present day.
We are pleased to partner with Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center (COTRAIC) on this event. Native Americans will demonstrate traditional and Intertribal dances and songs around 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Join in for a social dance or two!

Sponsors
Super Science Saturdays are sponsored by PA Cyber and Tender Care Learning Centers, a proud partner of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.

Moriarty Science Seminar: Sailing Through Eternity: Caring for the Dahshur Funerary Boat
2023-03-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Hybrid: Online and At the Museum
R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar Presents: “Sailing Through Eternity: Caring for the Dahshur Funerary Boat“
Speakers: Gretchen Anderson and Dr. Lisa Haney, Carnegie Museum of Natural History
This event will take place Monday, March 13 at Noon online via Zoom.
Abstract: Four ancient Egyptian boats were excavated at Dahshur, Egypt in the 1890s. The Carnegie Museum of Natural History cares for one of them. Two others remain in Egypt and the fourth is at the Field Museum in Chicago. The Dahshur boat has been a favorite exhibit since it was first displayed in 1907. Have you ever wondered how the boat got to Pittsburgh? Or, how to care for a 4,000-year-old, 30-foot long boat?
This talk will unravel the boat’s fascinating history – how it came to be here, how it was exhibited, the conservation challenges, and the current research that helps us to better understand both the boat and the culture that made it. We will also discuss the importance of archival and technical research to long term care and understanding of this unique object. This includes a brief look at how technical analysis has changed over time, creating a need for collaboration between colleagues from different backgrounds and specialties.
.
Register Now

Teen Night: Artistry in Science
2023-03-16 16:00 - 20:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
Teen Nights are back! Please join us for the first teen night of the new year. Artistry in Science will be all about the art techniques we can find in natural history and science, and how we can use art in our everyday lives even when it’s not obvious. Everyone can be an artist. Join us for a scientific illustration demo with our resident Dinosaur Scientific Illustrator, Andrew McAfee, practice your sketching skills by drawing collection specimens, and explore the incredible craftsmanship and artistry in the Art of the Diorama, a set of 1920-30s dioramas with hand-painted backgrounds, expert taxidermy, and scientifically accurate plants and animals. Grab your sketchbook and drawing materials! If you don’t have any, materials will be available. Have a snack and relax in a teens-only lounge. Whether you’ve already signed up for a free Teen Membership from Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh, or just want to see what it’s all about – we hope you’ll stop by! Please register early to secure your free ticket, capacity is limited. Open to everyone ages 13-18.
Make your reservation today before this exciting event sells out. Free to everyone ages 13-18.

Teen Night: Artistry in Science
Thursday, March 16, 2023, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Teen membership is generously supported by
The Grable Foundation
Sponsored by:

Community ACCESS Membership is presented by
Huntington Bank

Game Night at Powdermill Nature Reserve
2023-03-18 18:30 - 21:30, 2023-03-31 18:30 - 21:30, 2023-04-05 18:30 - 21:30 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
Learn and play the award-winning game Wingspan. Bird enthusiasts and board gamers love the game, which features beautiful artwork, fun bird facts, and engaging strategies. Open to all, whether this is your first or hundredth time playing. Pre-registration required.

Science and Nature Lecture: Maple Sugaring
2023-03-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
Nights below freezing and days above mean something very special in the world of sweet stuff: maple syrup! Join us as we explore the art of maple sugaring. We will learn a bit about the history and the process, and then we will get to see it in action!
Join us as we explore seasonal natural history phenomena of Powdermill Nature Reserve! A lecture will be given in the Parker Room at 2 pm. Lectures are structured for adult audiences, and children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Events fill up fast! Registration is recommended to guarantee your spot and help us plan timing, seating, and/or trail routes. If there are spots available at the time of the program, non-registered individuals can join on a first-come, first-served basis. Program participants and visitors are expected to adhere to the public health guidance and Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh procedures in place at the time of their visit.

Moriarty Science Seminar: Effects of Urbanization on Plant Phenology
2023-03-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
R.W. Moriarty Science Seminar Presents: “Effects of Urbanization on Plant Phenology“

Speaker: Daijiang Li, Louisiana State University.
This event will take place Monday, March 27 at Noon online via Zoom.
Abstract:With 57% of the human population now living in urban areas, urbanization is one of the most important drivers of global environmental change. Urbanization and its associated environmental consequences such as habitat fragmentation, urban heat island effects, pollution, and altered biogeochemical and hydrologic cycling are affecting all living individuals in urban areas, forming novel ecosystems. However, we know little about how and why urbanization affects species, limiting our ability to have better urban planning and management. Plant phenology – the timing of plant life-cycle events, such as leaf-out and flowering – can serve as a “canary in the coal mine” for impending system shifts because phenology shifts are often the most immediate and visible ecological response to environmental change. In this seminar, Dr. Daijiang Li will talk about the effects of urbanization on plant phenology across the United States and most of the Europe using both in situ observatory and remote sensing data. Dr. Li will also briefly talk about a current project to build a global plant phenology database — phenobase.
.
Register Now

Educator Workshop: City Nature Challenge
2023-03-28 09:00 - 15:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
Help your students contribute their experience and expertise to a global community science project! This workshop will explore the surprising biodiversity of habitats like sidewalk cracks, suburban parking lots, and the diverse array of green spaces that cross our landscape in and around the city. Learn techniques for recording and analyzing nature observations. Use the iNaturalist app to contribute data to crowdsourced science efforts, and also sketch with pencil and paper. This workshop will explore the Youth Equity + STEM framework as we introduce classroom activities to help your students join in a global effort to collect observations for science in the City Nature Challenge.
This workshop welcomes educators from all subject areas and grade levels.
If more than 50% of your students qualify for free or reduced-price school lunch, your school or organization will be eligible for a scholarship towards a museum field trip after the workshop.
Funding is available to reimburse your school or district for substitute teacher costs on the day that you attend this workshop.

What Do Animals Talk About?
2023-03-30 18:00 | Earth Theater
With Brooke Barker, acclaimed, bestselling author and illustrator

Special guest Dr. John Wible, Curator of Mammals
Pittsburgh-based author and illustrator Brooke Barker (Sad Animal Facts) discusses her new book, How Do Meerkats Order Pizza?: Wild Facts about Animals and the Scientists Who Study Them. Join us to learn about Brooke’s inspiration and creative process and try your hand at your own animal illustrations. Book signing to follow the event.
We recommend registering in advance so that we can guarantee your spot.
Image credit: Chancelor Humphrey

How to Register

First: Add Tickets to the Museum for March 30 to your cart

Second: Add Free Registration to this event to your cart, then check out

Family Nature Walk at Powdermill
2023-04-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
Join us as we hit the trails for a guided nature walk! We’ll meet in the atrium of the Powdermill Nature Center at 2 pm before heading outside to explore. This family-friendly experience is open to participants of all ages.
Events fill up fast! Registration is recommended to guarantee your spot and help us plan timing, seating, and/or trail routes. If there are spots available at the time of the program, non-registered individuals can join on a first-come, first-served basis.

Family Nature Walk
Saturday, April 1, 2023 2 p.m.

Sold out? Sign up for our waitlist!

Woodcock Walk at Powdermill Nature Reserve
2023-04-01 19:00 - 21:00, 2023-04-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1795 Route 381, Rector, PA, 15677, United States
What makes that noise that sounds like “Peent” in the night? Woodcocks! Join us as we track down these amazing timberdoodles to hear and see their stunning sky dance. We’ll walk from the Nature Center to a field where they regularly display. This is a family-friendly event. Bring outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather and a headlamp. This event is weather dependent and will be canceled if it is raining.

Program participants and visitors are expected to adhere to the public health guidance and Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh procedures in place at the time of their visit.

Morning Musings: Senior Social
2023-04-06 12:00 - 16:00 | At the Museum, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-4007, United States
Looking for an exciting way to spend your morning or afternoon?
Carnegie Museum of Natural History invites you to explore nature throughout the museum with an open house featuring High Afternoon Tea themed activities. Dinosaurs! Mammals! Gems! Minerals! Botany! Birds! World Cultures! Meet with one of the museum’s Natural History Interpreters and journey through some of Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s most historic, and scientifically significant, and beloved collections. Coffee, tea, and light snacks will be available in a Senior Social lounge.
Whether you’ve already signed up for a Senior membership from Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, or just want to see what it’s all about, we hope you’ll stop by!
Reserve early – this event will sell out! Open to everyone age 65+.

Community Access Membership is presented by

and supported by
Giant Eagle Foundation
