Darwin Days at NC Museum of Natural Sciences

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is hosting Darwin Days, the largest Darwin celebration in the country.

Spend two days (one online and one in person) learning about Darwin and what his theories of natural selection have done for the world of science, research and education. Meet some of the scientists who are continuing his work, and learn how Darwin’s (and others’) theories are being applied in cutting-edge research.

Both the virtual and in-person events are free to attend.

Virtual Celebration

Wednesday, November 10th, 2021, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Register here for the programs you’d like to attend.

• 10 to 11 a.m.: How Glyptodon Got Its Shell
• 11 to 11:35 a.m.: Do Hunters Change the Landscape of Fear for Wildlife
• 1 to 2 p.m.: Oceans & Human Health: Learning from Whales to Fight Disease
• 2 to 3 p.m.: How to Make a Mammal
• 4 to 5 p.m.: Primitive Primates: On the Trail of Fossil Lemurs from Wyoming to Madagascar
• 5 to 5:45 p.m.: Is Your Cheetah Getting Enough Fiber? Using the Science of Poop to Help Endangered Animals

In-Person Celebration

Saturday, November 13th, 2021, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join in person on the Plaza in front of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh. Exhibits include:

Aye-Aye Lemurs – Fascinating Mammals!
Paciulli Lab, NC State University
Ever wonder how animals communicate? In this exhibit, try to guess what the different sounds made by Aye-Aye lemurs mean! From irritation to asking for their supper, these little lemurs have a lot to say!

Brainiacs: Why Mammal Brains Evolved to Be So Large
Triangle Center for Evolutionary Medicine
Come learn about mammal brains, why they evolved to be large compared to other animals, and how studying mammal brains can help us understand humans. Visitors can interact with cutting-edge 3D models and chat with scientists who study brains.

Coping with Climate Change
Sheth Lab, NC State University
Can plants evolve fast enough to keep up with the pace of climate change? Learn how plants can move or evolve to survive in the face of climate change through a game of hopscotch.

Darwin’s Favorite Plants
Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Wake County
Extension Master Gardener volunteers are ready to answer all your gardening questions and provide resources to help your garden and lawn all year.

Darwin’s Finches
NC State University Genetics Graduate Student Association
Come learn how Darwin developed the theory of evolution! Ever wonder what it would be like to be a bird? Kids and adults will have an opportunity to simulate Darwin’s studies of finches on the Galapagos Islands. Test out different sized “beaks” to see how adaptation works. Which bird beak do you think will be the best fit for a particular sized food item? Have fun with our game of survival and adaptation!

Distinctive Dimorphism
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
It’s a fancy term for a common phenomenon! Come learn why males and females can look different even when they are the same species! Also see specimens of some of these animals and learn how they use these different evolutionary adaptations to survive in the wild.

Face Painting
Paint Savvy
Children and adults can become who or what they want at this year’s Darwin Day! Make your day memorable with a unique and beautiful face painting design! (FEE)

Fungi and Animals: An Intimate Evolutionary History
NC State University, Center for Integrated Fungal Research
Fungi are more than just mushrooms and represent a diverse group of organisms that are beneficial and harmful to animals. Come learn about the diversity and evolution of fungi, and their interactions with animals and importance to society. You will be provided with an opportunity to view fungi on video monitors connected to a microscope and to make spore prints.

Hedgehog Pinecones Craft
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Nourish your creative side and make an adorable hedgehog out of found, natural materials. While you craft, learn why hedgehogs are so spiky and how this adaptation helps them survive and thrive in nature!

Locomotion and Mammalian Limbs
NC Museum of Natural Sciences Mammalogy
A variety of mammalian limbs will be used to demonstrate adaptation in relation to varied means of locomotion.

Make Your Own Darwin Day Button
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Show your support for Mr. Darwin and his spot-on theories by coloring your own button! Our volunteers will make your masterpiece into a special badge you can wear today and forevermore!

Mammals of Madagascar
Duke Lemur Center
Madagascar’s lemurs tend to get all of the attention, but the island sometimes known as “the Eighth Continent” has been home to many unique mammals for millions of years. Stop by the Duke Lemur Center exhibit to learn about the extinct and extant mammals of Madagascar — including lemurs, of course!

Mammal Tracks and Signs
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Learn how to use your senses and interpret clues that animals leave behind. Identify tracks and scat and explore some artifacts of the animals you might encounter in your own backyard.

North Carolina’s Fossil Mammals
NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Real fossil specimens and 3D prints depict the story of mammalian evolution as told by fossils from around North Carolina.

Plants4Kids
NC State University
Plants provide us with food, clothes, medicines, clean air and building materials. Plants4Kids is an NC State research group that studies how plants grow and develop. Come and join us to learn about plants and to sow some seeds to take home with you!

Predators not Pets
Carolina Tiger Rescue
As cute as some predators are, it’s important to remember they are wild. Carolina Tiger Rescue will have biofacts and information about why these impressive predators are not pets.

Species Conservation
Museum of Life and Science
“The plight of the Red Wolf has been a personal issue for the Museum for more than 27 years. Because the Museum of Life and Science is a part of the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan, we are able to be a part of the conservation effort for this unique species. Join us in understanding how different trait expressions make for better survival.”

Watermedia Painting Demonstration by Stacy Lewis
Stacy Lewis Studio
Stacy will be demonstrating her watermedia painting techniques to create some fun animal artwork.

Weave North Carolina
Jan French, Weaving Artist
Learn how to weave and create a map of North Carolina with natural fibers! This year, with the theme of mammals, we will focus on spun fiber and yarn from mammals residing in NC. We invite ages 5 and up to participate in this hands-on activity!

Women in Science
Girl Scouts—NC Coastal Pines
Many women have made essential contributions to science. Come learn some of their stories and get information on joining Girl Scouts. There will be a prize wheel with giveaways.

 

Upcoming Events in the Triangle -- both virtual and in-person

Check out our full events calendar, where you can enter any date, or look at the events for the next few days here:

Friday, November 5, 2021

Saturday, November 6, 2021

Sunday, November 7, 2021

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