01/28/11 kkh

HAYS, Kan. -- Registration is still open for four of the five programs in the Fort Hays State University Sternberg Museum of Natural History's winter educational series for children 4 to 12 years old throughout February.

Registration for At "Build Your Bird Brain!," Saturday, Feb. 5, is open through Monday, Jan. 31. Participants will examine wintering birds by size, shape, color and sound. They will also investigate completely edible bird feeders and construct a pinecone bird feeder that will attract colorful winter birds. The registration deadline is Monday, Jan. 31.

Participants will explore the museum's temporary exhibit, "Hatching the Past: Dinosaur Eggs and Babies," for "The Chicken or the Egg?" program on Saturday, Feb. 12. They will discover similarities between dinosaurs and birds. The registration deadline is Monday, Feb. 7.

"Sculpting Dinosaurs!" on Saturday Feb. 19, will show kids how paleoartists mold clay over bone to recreate animals by hand. Participants will sculpt their own prehistoric creature out of clay to take home. The registration deadline is Monday, Feb. 14.

On Saturday, Feb. 26, kids will explore a variety of animal tracks at "What's that Track?" They will also have the chance to mold their own animal tracks to take home. The registration deadline is Monday, Feb. 21.

For each program, there are two sessions for kids age 4 to Kindergarten. They are at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., each lasting approximately 45 minutes. A 1 p.m. session is for children in first and second grade and a 3 p.m. session is for kids in grades 3 through 6, each lasting approximately one hour.

The program fee is $5 per child. Museum members are free. Participants must be accompanied by an adult.

To register or for more information, contact Brian Bartels at 785-628-5502 or e-mail him at bcbartels@fhsu.edu.