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Saturday, September 11
- 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- BugFest 2010 (map)
- NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh
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The nation’s biggest and most popular “buggy” event brings you amazing exhibits, fun activities, and compound-eye-popping shows. Gobble up delicious bug filled delicacies at the Cafe Insecta, view beautiful and bizarre live animals, bet on racing roaches or dance to live music! BugFest 2010 will be on Jones Street, The Plaza, Edenton Street, and all four floors of the Museum will be filled with buggy fun!
* Enjoy the entertaining displays, exhibits and activities — both inside and outside the Museum.
* Learn about arthropods, which make up three-quarters of all animals on Earth, during fascinating presentations.
* Taste delectable dishes featuring creepy crawlers as a major ingredient at Café Insecta.
* Join the moths, fireflies and katydids for an exhilarating evening of nocturnal activities at the Evening Insectival.
* Beekeeping Workshop
* Bring an unusual bug to the Stump the Experts tableThis year’s theme bugs are Aquatic Bugs!
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
- Guided Bird Walk (map)
- Jackson Park, Hendersonville
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Stroll with bird enthusiasts of the Henderson County Bird Club. Walks typically run approximately one and a half hours. Meet in front of Jackson Park Administration Building.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- The Guilty Strawberry (map)
- Public school classrooms throughout Beaufort, Washington, Hyde, and Tyrrell counties, hosted by Beaufort County Community College
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Students work in groups to extract DNA from a strawberry in quantities that can be wound around a wooden stick and examined without the aid of a microscope. They learn what “biotechonology” is and what is happening in North Carolina’s biotechnology labs and industry. Length: 15-60 minutes,as needed by classroom teacher. The workshop can be held any day throughout the Festival. How to schedule: Contact Ana McClanahan at anamcc@beaufortccc.edu
Middle and high school students from Beaufort, Washington, Hyde, and Tyrrell counties will be invited to participate through their school administrators. Science instructors should contact Ana McClanahan at anamcc@beaufortccc.edu to schedule a time in their classroom for this hands-on lab and biotech presentation.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project: Farm to School Workshop (map)
- Shelton Family Farm, Whittier
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A workshop designed for pre-service teachers and dietitians, as well as teachers in the classroom and dietitians in the field. Participants will learn about the components of farm to school – school gardens, farm field trip, classroom cooking and locally grown food in the school cafeteria – and how to integrate these activities into the curriculum and in the cafeteria. The workshop will conclude with a locally grown lunch.
Please contact Molly Nicholie, molly@asapconnections.org or call 828-236-1282.
Space is limited so contact us soon! - Event Web site
- Cost: $10
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- 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
- NC Mountain State Fair (map)
- WNC Agricultural Center, Fletcher
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WNC Agricultural Center, the third largest fair in North Carolina, celebrates the heritage of the Blue Ridge mountains, including agriculture, music, crafts, art, food, entertainment, display of livestock, competitions, and midway amusement rides. The NC Mountain State Fair runs September 10-19, 2010.
- Event Web site
- Cost: $7 for adults/ $3 children 6-12/ children 5 and under free
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- 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Citizen Ash Tree Mapping (map)
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee
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As a citizen science volunteer, you’ll spend a morning in the field with a park ranger learning to identify ash and other common trees found in the Smoky Mountains, use a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit to map ash in forest plots, and measure trees. The ash trees are at risk from the invasive, non-native Emerald Ash Borer, a beetle that can travel undetected in firewood and nursery stock from quarantined areas of the country into new locations in the park. Data you collect will help park staff map the locations of ash trees parkwide to monitor the health of the forest and detect future infestations.
You should be prepared to hike up to 5 miles on park trails and in rough terrain off main paths. It is highly recommended that you wear long pants and comfortable closed-toe shoes or boots for hiking, and to protect yourself against poison ivy, ticks, and thorny plants. We’ll be outside enjoying the forest for several hours so bring a lunch, water, sunscreen, and rain gear. Reservations are necessary and participation is limited to 16 people. Families are welcome–children 12 and under must bring an adult. Pre-register by contacting Susan at susan_simpson@nps.gov or 865.436.1200 x762.
Meet at the Oconaluftee Visitors Center.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Duke Homestead Tobacco Harvest and Arts Festival (map)
- Duke Homestead State Historic Site and Tobacco Museum, Durham
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Cultural and arts festival centered around tobacco harvesting, curing and related activities in the fields and at the barn. Browse local artists’ wares all day. In the morning, see costumed interpreters demonstration tobacco harvesting, stringing and curing. In the afternoon, hear the sounds of the only tobacco auction left in Durham. Throughout the day, enjoy the hornworm race, MoonPie eating contest, musical entertainment, refreshments and much more.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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- 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Ocean Adventure (map)
- Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, Wilmington
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Learning Center: Ocean Adventure
What is an aquanaut? Discover the answer to this question and more as you explore ocean science. Learn why the estuary is called the “ocean’s nursery.” Examine local shells and learn about North Carolina’s state shell. Find out why starfish are not fish at all! Use various magnification tools to examine sea life up close.Appropriate for children ages 5 to 12. Parental participation is required.
- Event Web site
- Cost: Free with museum admission.
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- 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Heroes, Villains, and Special Effects (map)
- Museum of Life and Science, Durham
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Get ready to experience the ultimate science of entertainment event! Engage with top gaming companies including Redstorm Entertainment, Epic Games, Virtual Heroes, Playdom/Merscom, Atomic Games and Republic of Fun. Meet with film industry experts and take part in a staged combat demonstration. Emmy award winning makeup artist Dean Jones, Star Wars characters from Carolina 501st Garrison and other exhibitors will also be present.
- Event Web site
- Cost: pre-registered groups $4; Adults $12.50; Seniors and Military with ID $10.50; ages 3 - 12 $9.50; under 3 free
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- 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- The Science and Art of Wine making (map)
- Shelton Vineyards, Dobson
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Tour a state-of-the-art working winery and learn about the art and science of wine making in North Carolina. Tour will end with a tasting of 5 wines (must be 21 years of age to sample) and participants will receive a souvenir glass. Tours start every thirty minutes from 10 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily.
- Event Web site
- Cost: $5.00 per person
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- 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Family Fun Day: Project Nature’s Art (map)
- North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro
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Join the North Carolina Zoo for making abstract designs out of natural materials in the kidZone region of the park. Activities designed for pre-school age children.
- Event Web site
- Cost: Free with zoo admission.
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- 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Carnivorous Plant Hike (map)
- Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach
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Take a hike with a park ranger and learn about the fascinating world of carnivorous plants that grow at Carolina Beach State Park. See plants that “bite back” such as sundews, bladderworts, butterworts, pitcher plants, and the Venus fly trap. Meet at the Nature Trail Parking Lot at 10:00 a.m. For more information call 910-458-8206.
- Event Web site
- This event is free to participants.
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