All resources in Summer Learning Resources

All About Atlatls

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Atlatls are spear-throwing devices that were used all around the world before bows and arrows were invented. Experimental archaeologist Mark Kollecker shows us how to spear a cardboard deer with this ancient tool. Worksheet available for grades 3-6.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture

Bald Eagle

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On April 24, 1984, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History successfully hatched its first captive-bred eaglet. The years leading up to this milestone saw declining numbers of Bald Eagles in the wild—a consequence of the use of the pesticide DDT, as well as unregulated hunting. But our efforts helped to preserve this majestic species, which is now abundant throughout the state of Ohio and beyond. In this week’s Creature Feature, learn about Bald Eagles from Harvey Webster, the Museum’s Chief Wildlife Officer & Museum Ambassador. Worksheets available for grades PreK-K and 1-2.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture

Bipedal Walking

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Calling all parents! Kids are full of tough-to-answer questions. Maybe you've gotten this line of inquiry: "Why do we walk the way we do? How do four-legged animals walk the way they do? How did people of the past—like Lucy—walk?" Get one step ahead (pun intended!) by watching this Museum Monday video. See demonstrations of the different ways bodies are structured to accommodate locomotion, then share this fun activity with curious minds.

Material Type: Lecture

Birds

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In episode two of Wildlife Wednesday, we meet up with Michelle Leighty, Manager of Wildlife Resources, who takes us behind the scenes of our raptor barn. Between administering medication to a Turkey Vulture and conducting a routine weight check with our Screech Owl, there’s no shortage of work when it comes to caring for the Museum’s birds.

Material Type: Lecture

Bobcat

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If you’ve seen Bitty and Bob at the Museum, you know bobcats are incredible animals. They can leap as far as 12 feet and have a keen sense of smell. In this week’s edition of Wildlife Wednesdays, learn even more fast facts about these felines with wildlife specialist Nikki McClellan. Worksheets available for grades PreK-K and 1-2.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture

Bone Block: Coelophysis Death Bed

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Have you ever seen a dinosaur graveyard? Get your chance during this week’s edition of Scientist Saturdays. Researchers estimate this event—which resulted in a mass grave of Coelophysis bauri casualties—took place about 225 million years ago, during the Late Triassic. The small dinosaurs were likely congregating around a watering hole when they perished in a freak accident (probably a monsoon, based on the evidence) and were quickly buried and preserved. Learn more about the painstaking work of Museum paleontologists to extract the fossilized Coelophysis skeletons from the block. Worksheets available for grades 7-8 and 9-12.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture

Coyotes

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Coyotes are remarkable creatures. In the wild, you can find them in almost any habitat throughout North America, including all of Ohio’s 88 counties. But the Museum’s coyotes, Red, Tex, Ember, and Charcoal, were all rescued shortly after birth and are not suitable for the wild. Instead, we’ve built them habitats that mirror their natural environments. Our animal experts work to provide them with daily enrichment to maintain their physical and mental health. In this video, learn about coyote care and go behind the scenes as we celebrate their birthdays with a special enrichment activity. Worksheets available for grades PreK-K and 1-2.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture

Investigating Lucy's Backyard

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Dr. Denise Su, Chief Academic Engagement Officer, Gertrude Haskell Britton Endowed Chair of Education, and Curator of Paleobotany & Paleoecology, tours the Human Origins Gallery, discussing the environment in which Lucy likely lived. Worksheet available for grades 5-12.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture

Investigating Lucy's Backyard

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In this Museum Mondays episode from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Dr. Denise Su, Chief Academic Engagement Officer, Gertrude Haskell Britton Endowed Chair of Education, and Curator of Paleobotany & Paleoecology, tours the Human Origins Gallery, discussing the environment in which Lucy likely lived. Features a video and downloadable worksheet.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

MRD

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In 2016, Dr. Yohannes Haile-Selassie, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Curator of Physical Anthropology, discovered a “remarkably complete” hominin cranium at the Woranso-Mille Research Site in Ethiopia. He spent the next few years analyzing the specimen with the help of his team of experts to determine its age and species. Now, he’s ready to reveal the face of Lucy’s ancestor, which challenges previous theories about evolution, in an article published in the journal Nature. Learn about this discovery and groundbreaking research from Dr. Haile-Selassie himself. Worksheet available for grades 6-12.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture

North American Porcupine

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Everybody loves Lance! But did you know he’s an avid climber? This animal ambassador is full of surprises! Learn all about North American porcupines in this week’s Creature Feature, part of our Wildlife Wednesdays series. Worksheets available for grades PreK-K and 1-2.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture

Red-tailed Hawk

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Sure, maybe you saw Meep when you last visited the Museum, but did you know Red-tailed Hawks are migratory birds? Find out how our animal experts care for these fascinating migrators year-round at the Museum! Worksheets available for grades 1-5, 6-12, and all ages.

Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lecture