10/10/12 jb

HAYS, Kan. -- October at the Fort Hays State University's Sternberg Museum kicked off with the After School Program for second- through fifth-graders, the first of several exhibits and events during the month.

The After School Program began Oct. 9 and will last until Wednesday, Dec. 19. Sessions are from 3:30 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday for second- and third-grade students and 3:30 to 5 p.m. each Wednesday for fourth- and fifth-grade students.

Sessions, which have a maximum of 12 participants, include visits to the Sternberg's biology and paleontology collections, fossil prep lab, Dr. Howard Reynolds Nature Trail and the Discovery Room. Each session uses different learning styles through art, music, writing, hands-on and group activities.

Light snacks are provided after each session. Registration, due the Friday before the session, is $5 for the public and $4 for museum members.

October's Junior Naturalist will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13. Students can study different science disciplines.

"We work with a completely hands-on approach and then students are given a take-home project to complete after the event," said James Leiker, Sternberg education director.

Students will go behind the scenes of paleontology at "Middle School Fossil Day" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17. Students will watch a presentation on modern oil production, "Fossils are Fuel," presented by Western Well Services.

This event is limited to middle school students only. Schools must register to attend.

A "Fossil Day" for the public will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. Events include a scavenger hunt, a fossil art competition and "Are You Smarter Than a Paleontologist" game show.

Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for youth ages 4 to 12, $6 for senior citizens and $4 for FHSU students with valid ID.

"Bats, Snakes, Spiders and Creepy Things" is a presentation with creatures related to Halloween and exploring their relationships from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. A maximum of 20 participants are allowed. Registration is $10 the public and $8 for museum members.

"Terror on the Trails" will be from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, just west of the Sternberg dome at the Dr. Howard Reynolds Nature Trail. "Terror on the Trails" is a haunted museum created on the winding trails. It is open to the public, but participants must be 13 or older.

Another haunted museum will be inside the dome from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29. The cost is $5. Participants must be 13 or older.

The "Sternberg Spooktacular" is for children 12 and under 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31. It is free to the public.

Two featured exhibits, "Rattlersss, From Fear to Fascination" and "Explore Evolution," are currently on display.

"Rattlersss" is a temporary exhibit with 22 species of U.S. rattlesnakes from all over the United States, with a majority of them out of the southwest. The exhibit runs until summer 2013

"Explore Evolution" investigates seven research projects that have made major contributions to the understanding of evolution.

For more information about any of these events, contact Leiker at 785-639-5249 or jaleiker4@fhsu.edu.