PRESS RELEASE

The Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci) Announces Little Edisons Program for September through November 2022

miSci presents Little Edisons, for kids ages 3 to 5, on Wednesdays, from 12 to 12:45 p.m., and on Saturdays, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Sessions are 45 minutes long and feature hands-on activities designed to teach problem solving and to encourage the joy of discovery.

Highlights include Rainbows and Prisms that includes an opportunity for kids to create their own rainbows; Slightly Scary Stuff that explores things that we find scary but are perfectly harmless; and Talking About Trains presented in conjunction with the Museum’s annual Model Trains Show.

The complete lineup is as follows:

SEPTEMBER

How About Those Apples?

Wednesday, September 14, 12–12:45 p.m.

Saturday, September 17, 11–11:45 a.m.

Participants read a story about the apple harvest season and use their best scientific skills to observe the properties of an apple, including the taste! Then Little Edisons carefully record their observations in a book that they illustrate and take home to teach others. 

Leaves are Not Just for Jumping

Wednesday, September 21, 12–12:45 p.m.

Saturday, September 24, 11–11:45 a.m.

Little Edisons read the book I Am a Leaf by award-winning author Jean Marzollo and learn about the amazing life cycle of a leaf. Then they recreate the cycle in felt and practice their scientific observation skills by categorizing types of leaves. Participants will also create leaf rubbings to take home.

Rainbows and Prisms

Wednesday, September 28, 12–12:45 p.m.

Saturday, October 1, 11–11:45 a.m.

What colors are hiding in white light? Little Edisons find out when they read the book Rainbows and use a flashlight and a CD to make their own rainbow in a bowl of water. Then participants make a spectroscope to “bend light” anywhere and a suncatcher with a prism to cast rainbows in their window at home.

OCTOBER

Let's Rock!

Wednesday, October 5, 12–12:45 p.m.

Saturday, October 8, 11–11:45 a.m.

Little Edisons read a book about rocks and examine some interesting specimens, including those they brought themselves! A talk about the three types of rocks follows. Then participants create their own metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rocks, and build a specimen box to take home to house their collection.

Kitchen Chemistry

Wednesday, October 12, 12–12:45 p.m.

Saturday, October 15, 11–11:45 a.m.

How do we use heat and cold to change the properties of food? Find out in the most delicious way possible by making applesauce and ice cream! Little Edisons will observe what happens when they add yeast to warm water and record their findings in a journal, while eating their experiments, of course! *Note: Alternative recipes for children with food allergies are available. Please submit your request at least 48 hours prior to the event. 

Little Makers

Wednesday, October 19, 12–12:45 p.m.

Saturday, October 22, 11–11:45 a.m.

Little Edisons read the beloved book Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beatty and learn that failure is just one step in the process to success! Then they learn what makes a witch’s broom fly and a catapult that flings pumpkins the farthest. Finally, participants use their creativity to create an invention out of some carefully curated “junk.” 

Slightly Scary Stuff

Wednesday, October 26, 12–12:45 p.m.

Saturday, October 29, 11–11:45 a.m.

Get ready for Halloween by reading the slightly scary book The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by author Linda Williams and illustrator Megan Lloyd. Little Edisons learn about all kinds of things we find scary but are perfectly harmless and listen to some scary sounds and guess what they are. Then participants put on a witch’s hat, make some slime, plop it in a jar, and decorate it with a scary face to prove “we ain’t afraid of no ghosts!”

NOVEMBER

Shadows, Everybody Has One!

Wednesday, November 2, 12–12:45 p.m.

Saturday, November 5, 11–11:45 a.m.

Little Edisons read the beloved book Moonbear’s Shadow by award-winning author Frank Asch and watch as the little bear tries to escape his shadow but can’t! Then participants break out their flashlights and look at their own shadow and discover what makes it shorter or longer. Then they act out Moonbear’s story, learn how the position of the sun overhead changes their shadow, and create a shadow to trace!

Zoo in the Sky

Wednesday, November 9, 12–12:45 p.m.

Saturday, November 12, 11–11:45 a.m.

Little Edisons read the award-winning book Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations by author Jacqueline Mitton and illustrator Christina Balit and learn how constellations came about. Then participants make their own Big Dipper and explore how constellations help people figure out directions.

Talking About Trains

Wednesday, November 16, 12–12:45 p.m.

Saturday, November 19, 11–11:45 a.m.

It’s time to get ready for miSci’s annual model train exhibit! Little Edisons read Terrific Trains by Tony Mitton then make an engineer’s hat while learning about the kinds of cars that make up a train. Finally, participants build their own train to take home.

Where Would We Be Without Trees?

Wednesday, November 23, 12–12:45 p.m.

Saturday, November 26, 11–11:45 a.m.

Little Edisons read Dr. Seuss’s beloved story The Lorax and learn about the importance trees. Then they make a model that demonstrates how trees provide shade and a home for animals. Participants also learn about how trees prevent erosion, give us oxygen, and how we can save trees by recycling.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Wednesday, November 30, 12–12:45 p.m.

Little Edisons read Animals in Winter by Henrietta Bancroft and Richard G. Van Gelder and investigate how animals live in the cold. Then they experiment with blubber to see how it keeps arctic animals warm and look at the homes of animals who use the environment to stay comfy. Finally, participants make a book to take home so they can share what we learned!

The fee for each Little Edisons class is $12 per child for non-members and $10 for Museum Members. Adults accompanying a child are not required to purchase an additional ticket. Sessions are 45 minutes long. Materials are included. 

Programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis and registration is required. To make a reservation visit www.miSci.org or email reservations@misci.org.

All onsite programs follow CDC and state and local health guidelines. If a child/adult is presenting COVID related symptoms, please refrain from coming to miSci. We will be happy to reschedule your visit.

About miSci

Located in Schenectady, New York, miSci presents exhibitions, programs, and events designed with its mission in mind: to inspire people to celebrate and explore science and technology – past, present, and future. Home to the Challenger Learning Center and the Suits-Bueche Planetarium, the Museum's holdings include an archive of more than 1.6 million prints, negatives, and historic materials from the General Electric Photographic Collection, and more than 15,000 objects relating to the history of science and technology. Visit www.miSci.org to learn more.

Press Contact

Adam Husted

(518) 382-7890, ext. 297

adam.husted@misci.org