Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

Cargill Employee Volunteers Support the Museum

fcmod — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:51:11 +0000

On April 29, 13 employees from Cargill arrived at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery (FCMoD) to help clean the exhibits as part of their community volunteer efforts. Armed with gloves, environmentally sound and exhibit-approved cleaning solution and soft cloths, the volunteers worked all day to remove dust, scuffs and fingerprints from all public spaces in the FCMoD. Although the FCMoD staff regularly cleans the exhibits, the deep cleaning provided by Cargill’s employees was much appreciated as we prepared to welcome 1,500 fourth grade students for the Poudre School District Rendezvous through the week. The company’s employees also enjoyed an OtterBox Digital Dome show and an opportunity to explore the exhibits in appreciation of their hard work.

In addition to lending their time and enthusiasm to FCMoD, Cargill’s employees also raised $2,000 for the museum, which was matched through the company’s community grant program for a total donation of $4,000. This generous donation by Cargill and its employees will support FCMoD’s Opportunity Fund, assisting the museum in providing admission and programming to underserved audiences in Larimer County. Thanks to Cargill and their wonderful employees for all their hard work and generosity! We appreciate it!

FCMoD would love to partner with your organization for volunteer projects! For more information about corporate volunteer programs and how your organization can help, please call FCMoD Volunteer Coordinator Holly LeMasurier at (970) 416-2706.

Big Al’s Supports FCMoD

fcmod — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:21:31 +0000

We’re Big Al’s Big Change Jar Charity of the Month for May!

FCMoD is the designated charity for May, so all tips in the Big Al’s Big Change Jar come directly to FCMoD to support the Opportunity Fund. This program ensures that all community members have the opportunity to experience FCMoD regardless of financial situation. Visit Big Al’s and help make some Big Change! Thanks, Big Al!

Summer Programs Return to the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery!

fcmod — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:18:17 +0000

The Museum’s summer programs – including the Upper Boxelder Schoolhouse – return in 2013 after a one-year hiatus! FCMoD will run a total of six different week-long camps for students throughout the summer: Upper Boxelder Schoolhouse, Science Explorers, CSI: Crime Scene Insects, Space Camp, Archaeology Field Camp, and Architecture Field Camp.

Descriptions of all six of the Museum’s summer programs, including session dates, program costs, and participant age ranges may be found by going to our Summer Programs page.

Nano!

fcmod — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:03:08 +0000

Get small! REALLY small! Nano is our new interactive exhibit that explores nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Hands-on exhibits present the basics of nanoscience and engineering, introduce you to some real world applications, and explore the societal and ethical implications of this new technology. Nano was created by the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Network) with support from the National Science Foundation.

Special Endangered Species Day Event May 17

fcmod — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:25:55 +0000

Celebrate Endangered Species Day at FCMoD on Friday, May 17! Join us for a lecture by world-renowned biologist Travis Livieri, “The Endangered Black-footed Ferret: Rescuing a Species From Extinction,” followed by a film screening of the documentary “Return of the Prairie Bandit,” presented in the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater. You’ll have an opportunity to talk with the experts and learn about one of North America’s most endangered mammals. All activities are free and open to the public.

The event begins at 7:00 pm with light snacks. Presentation begins at 7:30 and the film will be shown at 8:30. Seats are free but limited — please call the museum’s Reservations Line at 970-416-2705 to reserve your spot.

Celebrate Children’s Book Week May 18th

fcmod — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:05:13 +0000

Celebrate Children’s Book Week at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery on Saturday, May 18 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm! Fort Collins Read Aloud volunteers will read fun children’s books aloud to visitors about some of the coolest things you’ll find at the museum! Perhaps you’ll start at the Beaver Station where you’ll hear a book about beavers, play a beaver game, get your reader passport stamped, and then find another read-aloud station. Attend all the book-reading stations to fill up your reader passport card at the museum! This event is free with museum admission and is sponsored by the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, in partnership with Fort Collins Read Aloud.

International Migratory Bird Day

fcmod — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 19:26:00 +0000

Celebrate Bird Migration at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery!

Families, birders, and all nature lovers are invited to celebrate Internaonal Migratory Bird Day @ FCMoD! Internaonal Migratory Bird Day celebrates one of the most important and spectacular events in the Americas – bird migraon. All acvies are FREE to the public! Drop by between 7:00 am – 2:00 pm on May 11, on the west side of the Museum, located at 408 Mason Court.

Schedule of Events

7:00 am – 11:00 am See — and touch! — wild birds at a banding station and learn how scientists study bird migration

7:00 am – 11:00 am Explore migration and learn the basics of birding

8:00 am & 9:00 am Take birding tour along the Cache la Poudre River with biologists from Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory

8:30, 9:30, & 10:30 Climb into the Museum’s StarLab planetarium and explore how migratory birds use the stars to navigate

11:00 am Take a birding tour! Start at the Museum with an RMBO biologist, follow the Poudre Bike Trail, and end at New Belgium Brewery

11:00 am – 2:00 pm Discovery how you can help our feathered friends through activities at FCMoD

Download the flyer here!

Fifty Shades of Fort Collins

fcmod — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 22:19:30 +0000

An Evening of Pole Dancing, Pheromones, Constellations, and a “Drive” to Inspiration Point at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

Registration closes Tuesday, April 16 at 5:00.

Who knew that the history of Fort Collins was filled with stories of romance, lust, and raciness? Enjoy “Fifty Shades of Fort Collins,” an adults-only evening at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery with drinks, desserts, pole dancing, unique artifacts, and salacious stories of our hometown. Friday, April 19, 8:00-10:00 pm.

“Fifty Shades of Fort Collins” includes stations throughout the museum featuring pole dancers, a pheromone activity, and unique artifacts not often on exhibit. You can visit Inspiration Point in the OtterBox Digital Dome, and search for constellations on the Rooftop Deck. Museum exhibits will be open to enjoy as well! Light refreshments and a cash bar are available as well.

“Fifty Shades of Fort Collins” requires pre-registration, and space is limited. Tickets are $10 per person. You must be 21 or older to attend. Members-only registration runs through March 17, open registration begins March 18. Call (970) 416-2705 or email us at reservations@fcmod.org for tickets and more information.

Click here for registration form.

Meet the Ferrets!

fcmod — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:24:57 +0000

The Fort Collins Museum of Discovery is home to two live black-footed ferrets, a species once thought extinct and now brought back to life on the prairies of the West. In this video, FCMoD staffer Kim Tamkun will introduce you to June and Mr. Brightside, and tell you more about this amazing story. Meet the ferrets, then come to the museum to see them for yourselves!

Geek Week is coming!

fcmod — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:34:33 +0000

Robots? Check. Superheroes? Absolutely. Sci-fi? Without a doubt.

This Spring Break, geeks shall inherit the earth … or the FCMoD, at the very least! Experience a full week of awesome geekiness, with different activities and demonstrations each day of the week. It’s going be epic. Seriously.

Tuesday through Saturday, April 2-6. Drop in anytime between 11:00-2:00. Free with museum admission.

Schedule of Events

Gamers (Tuesday)

Explore a variety of RPGs, card, board, and video games. Think you’re the toughest MarioKart-er out there? Prove it!

Sci-Fi Madness (Wednesday)

Where science meets science fiction! Make a mini hovercraft, watch a never-before-seen digital dome show, and listen to the original War of the Worlds broadcast. Use the Force, geeks!

Robots (Thursday)

See demos from local robotics teams, make a robot voice-changer, and learn how to pop ‘n’ lock like a ‘bot! And did we mention Take Apart Day: Robo-Art?

Superheroics & Comic Books (Friday)

Ka-pow! Design your own superhero and learn from the pros how to write and draw comics. Explore superpowers and use science to bust – or prove – their existence!

Collections of Epic Proportions (Saturday)

Who among us DOESN’T collect something? Share your passion with other visitors*, and learn the ins & outs of museum collections.

* We’re still looking for community members to showcase their collections at FCMoD on April 6, from 11:00am – 2:00pm. If you’re interested – or know someone who would be – please pass along & contact us at info@fcmod.org with “Epic Collections” in the subject line.