Beyond Bones

If you don’t have one already, a field journal is a must-have for any budding scientist! Field journals are used by all different types of scientists (such as paleontologists, geologists, biologists and many others) in order to record and keep track of the things they learn and observe while working out in the field. These […]

When learning about wildlife, we often focus on the far away and exotic, but there are plenty of fascinating plan and animal species outside around your home or local park. Use this scavenger hunt to help you discover them!  Find a Rollie pollie. These are also called pill bugs, doodle bugs and woodlice. They are […]

Ever since she was a little girl, Tina Petway has been enthralled with shells. Living along the Texas Gulf Coast, it just comes naturally to many of us.  The Houston native, now the associate curator of the George W. Strake Hall of Malacology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, spent every moment she could […]

Mercury continues an excellent apparition for the first half of June.  Look for it low in the sky at dusk, over the point of sunset.  Mercury is highest June 4-5, then gets lower and dimmer until it is lost in the Sun’s glare by June 15. Mars is higher in the morning sky each day […]

It’s been hard to avoid the online memes and gags about hairdos in the time of corona. Have you let it all go wild, or taken matters into your own hands? As it happens, something in the Hall of Ancient Egypt reminds us that the Egyptians had hair concerns of their own. And, as today, […]

Whether you need a quick explainer on a key turning point in the history of the Mayan civilization, the New Orleans Saints’ past playoff woes or the subtleties between seasons of “The Simpsons”, there is no person better equipped at the Houston Museum of Natural Science than Dr. Dirk Van Tuerenhout. He speaks five languages, […]

If you’re at home with a kiddo who has sensory sensitivities, it can be difficult to find new things to do. Here are a few activities that we’ve found to be helpful for students who we’ve met at HMNS! If your kiddo also loves to visit HMNS, but isn’t able to at the moment, we […]

During the time HMNS has been closed, constant attention is given to ensure that collections and buildings are safe and secure and that all systems are functioning as they should. Assigned staff has been making routine checks, paying close attention to collections in special storage. While another portion of the staff has been working throughout […]

Archaeologists keep careful records, as do all scientists. One important way to keep track of their work is by mapping where each artifact is discovered before it is carefully removed.  First, gather your materials: • Chocolate chip cookies with lots of chips • Toothpicks  • Paper towel or plate to work on • Cookie grid […]

Due to our southern location and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, Houston and the surrounding bay area are hot spots for seasonal bird migration. We are home to a lot of avid, eager birdwatchers anxiously awaiting to check off their “life list.” Houston sits along the Central Flyway and Mississippi Flyway, which means we […]