What can the science of natural history teach us about the Star Wars universe? In a new week-long summer day camp at Carnegie Museum of Natural History, kids ages 6 and 7 had a chance to find out first hand. By comparing Mesozoic ferns to plants in the forest of Endor and conducting condensation experiments to prepare for survival in the desert of Tatooine, campers activated their imaginations and honed their observation skills.
Museum scientists also joined in on the fun. Dr. Tim Pearce, assistant curator and head of the Section of Mollusks, helped campers investigate a critical question—is Jabba the Hut a slug? After learning about slug features with Dr. Pearce, one camper gave a scientific rationale for the answer— “No. Jabba does not have eye stalks, but slugs do!”
Due to popular demand, a second session of Star Warriors has been added July 31–August 4. Register online by July 27 to join in on the fun.
On Hoth Day, Star Warriors experimented with water and ice, making ice cream with solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) and building model igloos. “The ice cream was bubbling like crazy,” campers observed.
Campers wrapped up the week by making their own costumes and solving a Star Wars quest in the museum galleries. Visit camps.artandnaturalhistory.org to sign up for the next session!
