February 2020
Below are just a few of the many programs that will be offered at the Discovery Museum this month. Programs are included with admission or membership. Visit our calendar to learn about the many other programs happening this month.
9:00am - 4:30pm
Tues. - Sun.
Closed Mondays

Fri., February 6
Open until 8:00pm

Mon., February 17
Open for President's Day
New Exhibit Open!
Toys: The Inside Story
January 18 - May 10
Did you ever want to open an Etch-a-Sketch® to see how it works? Wonder what makes Elmo® dance? Want to see what triggers the buzzer in Operation®? Explore the inside world of toys and the pulleys, cams, gears, circuits, and linkages that make them work.
First Friday Nights Free!
Friday, February 7
Drop-in 4:30pm - 8:00pm
Join us with free admission and explore the museum at night on the first Friday of every month! We will gratefully accept non-perishable food donations for the Acton Food Pantry and Open Table of Concord and Maynard.

Sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank.
Rise and Shine and Join Us Early!

8:00am - 9:00am 
Tues., Feb. 4
Sun., Mar. 8 
 
Members are welcome to join us an hour before we open to the public. Not a member? Join online or when you arrive.
Vote for Discovery Museum now through February 23 in the Wicked Local Readers Choice Awards!
Tinkering with Toys
The following programs are inspired by our new exhibit,
Toys: The Inside Story
January 18 - May 10
Toy Take Aparts Jr.
Tuesday, February 4; drop-in 10:00am – 11:00am
Are you curious about what’s inside everyday toys? We’ll be taking apart various toys including mechanical toys with moving parts, remote controlled toys, toy vehicles with movable parts, electronic or music toys.

Made to Move
Thursday, February 13; drop-in 2:00pm – 4:30pm
Join us as we explore linkages – the mechanisms inside many toys that produce basic movements. We’ll be using cardboard, brads, and other simple materials to create pieces that can wave, jump, or dance back-and-forth.
Backyard and Beyond
sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA
Forest Fridays
Every Friday at 10:00am (except February 20)
A great way for the whole family to enjoy time outdoors, our Forest Friday program is held outside, no matter the weather! Every Friday morning we’ll do a nature-based activity based on the weather and season, either in Discovery Woods or out on the adjacent conservation land. All ages are welcome but activities are designed for 2-6 year olds.

Knife Skills with PrimiTim
Sunday, February 2; 10:00am – 12:00pm
Pre-registration required as space is limited
Knives have proven themselves to be the most useful tools in the woods. They are used to carve, slice, and cut our way through any task that is thrown at us. Being able to effectively and safely use a knife is a crucial survival skill, and a must-know for anyone who is passionate about adventuring outdoors.

Tim Swanson has degrees in Adventure Education Leadership and Adventure Therapy and is a survival skills instructor with over 10 years of experience. He works with all ages encouraging people to connect with the earth by learning and practicing ancient living skills.

Winter Warmth
Wednesday, February 5; 10:00am – 11:00am
We’ve made it through more than a month of winter, wearing jackets, mittens and scarves to keep warm as the weather gets colder. Do you ever wonder how animals keep warm? Test the insulating properties of feathers, fur, fat and fleece, which will keep you the warmest?Winter Warmth
Wednesday, February 5; 10:00am – 11:00am
We’ve made it through more than a month of winter, wearing jackets, mittens and scarves to keep warm as the weather gets colder. Do you ever wonder how animals keep warm? Test the insulating properties of feathers, fur, fat and fleece, which will keep you the warmest?

Summit Great Hill
Wednesday, February 26; 11:00am
Did you know that Discovery Woods is an entrance to the Great Hill Conservation Land? Have you ever wondered how “great” the Great Hill really is? Join us as we summit Great Hill. Don’t worry, the hike is short and easy and you won’t need to bring a pack, but we will pause at the top for a snack if you’d like to bring one along.

Program is weather and conditions dependent. Please note that the conservation land trails are not ADA or stroller accessible; please wear appropriate footwear and clothing. Click here for more information on the Great Hill Conservation Land.
Celebrate National Engineers Week and MA School Vacation Week
National Engineers Week is sponsored by Raytheon.
We're celebrating National Engineers Week with some Everyday Engineering! Construct and create with repurposed and recycled materials.
Engineer a Bird Feeder
Saturday, February 15
Sunday, February 16
10:00am - 2:00pm
Design and build your own birdfeeder to bring home and feed your feathered friends in your own backyard!
Float and Fly
Monday, February 17 & Tuesday, February 18
10:00am - 2:00pm
Craft some simple contraptions - paper helicopters and hoop gliders - that harness the power of air to float and glide.
Indoor Fort Building
Wednesday, February 19
Thursday, February 20
10:00am - 2:00pm
What can you do with clothespins, sheets, and cardboard boxes? Just about anything! Jump in and help build an ever-changing, room-sized blanket fort.
Tinfoil Ferries
Friday, February 21& Saturday, February 22
10:00am - 2:00pm
Investigate floating by building tinfoil boats and loading them with pennies until they sink. How many pennies can your boat hold?
Coming soon to the Discovery Store!

Just in time for National Engineers Week, OffBits building sets from Fat BrainToys bring a unique twist to classic construction fun.

No admission is required to shop in the store and all profits go back into supporting the hands-on programs at the Museum.

Members get 10% off!
Play Matters.
Your Gift Matters .

As a community-supported nonprofit organization, we depend on you to make our exhibits, programs, and services possible.


Thank you!
Asobouyo! Explore the Songs and Toys of Japan
Tuesday, February 25
10:00am – 10:45am and 2:00pm – 2:45pm
How do you sing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” in Japanese? Do Japanese children play with the same toys as me? Join visiting student teachers from Showa University in Tokyo to explore classic Japanese children’s songs and toys. We'll learn some simple Japanese words as we sing and play together!
2020 Discovery Museum Speaker Series
The Roots of Empathy in Childhood
with Mary Gordon, founder of Roots of Empathy

When: Thurs., February 27; 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location:  Ottoson Middle School, Arlington
Cost:  Free; $5 suggested donation appreciated

Free Sensory-Friendly Afternoons
Tues., February 4, 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Come explore the accessible Discovery Museum and Discovery Woods. Sensory-Friendly Afternoons are all about inclusion. During these events the museum is open to the general public, but group visits and birthday parties are not scheduled, to avoid crowding and support access to exhibits. Space is limited, pre-registration required.
 
Free Evening for Families with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or KODA Children
Sat., February 1; 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Join us during this special free evening especially for families with Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or KODA children. In our ADA-compliant building you can play and explore when the museum is closed to the general public. ASL Interpreters will be available. Space is limited, pre-registration required.

Tonight’s Program: Magic with Steve Weiner
Prepare to be amazed by the funny and clever magic tricks of Steve Weiner, Deaf magician! Steve’s shows are enchanting and delightful for children and adults of all ages. Shows will begin at 5:30pm and again at 6:30pm. ASL/English Interpretation will be provided.

This Especially for Me program is offered in conjunction with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program of Boston Children’s Hospital.

Free Autism-Friendly Evening
Sat., February 29; 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Come join in all the fun and explore the accessible Discovery Museum and Discovery Woods during this evening event for families with members on the autism spectrum. Your family can play, explore, experiment, and imagine together, while we are closed to the general public and headcount is limited. Space is limited, pre-registration required.

Tonight’s Program: Songs & Secrets of Into the Woods!
From 5:30pm to 7:30pm, take a peek behind the curtain of Open Door Theater's newest show, Into the Woods! Join the cast and crew to learn more about the make-up, costumes, music, and props needed to tell this classic tale.
Dinner, including a gluten-free option, is provided at evening events.
 
Resources available to prepare for your visit include Story Guides (social stories) to the Museum and Discovery Woods , as well a Sensory Guide . These are available both online and at our Admissions Desk. You might also visit the  Exhibits section of our website, and review our Tips for Visiting . Please note that Discovery Woods is open year-round, but closes at dusk.
Want to see what your kids could be doing in their classroom?
 
Read here  about Bell School students in Marblehead, MA learning about dinosaurs during one of our in-classroom workshops.

We bring our  Traveling Science Workshops  to more than 1,000 classrooms a year. Are we visiting your child's classroom? 
Support the Discovery Museum and the environment!

Visit the Stop & Shop located at 100 Powder Mill Rd. in Acton and purchase the $2.50 Community Bag. We will receive a $1 donation for every bag sold in February!
Show your Discovery Museum admission sticker at Not Your Average Joe's in Acton to receive a free kids sundae after your visit! 
177 Main Street (Route 27)
Acton, Massachusetts 01720
Phone: 978-264-4200