2023 Winter Trivia Nights

How well do you know your life science trivia? A total of 20 teams asked themselves this question at our two Bean Museum Trivia Nights this semester. 

Our February Trivia Night was centered around the life and studies of Charles Darwin, while our March Trivia Night had a hopeful springtime theme. Each night had 3 rounds of trivia, and ended with a competitive game of Kahoot! 

Teams could earn candy for correct answers, and the winners got to pick out animal stickers! Cookies were also provided for everyone who attended. Congratulations to all of our winning teams, and we hope to see you again next semester! 

Alyssa, museum educator

2023 Night at the Museums Report

Friday March 10th was a night to remember as thousands descended upon BYU five campus museums in an effort to win a prize. At each museum, patrons solved a clue that directed them to a certain area within the museum where they could earn a sticker: five stickers earned the patron the grand prize of a museum tote bag!

At the Bean Museum, we were tote-ally dedicated to making sure everybody who came through had a good time. The way to the heart is through the stomach, so we came prepared with 1,000 donuts that anyone could have (unfortunately there were more stomachs than we anticipated so the donuts ran out before the night was over but next year will be a different story ;) ). The heart and the mind don’t always agree, but they do communicate, so we did too! We created special curiosity carts and programs where patrons could learn about ducks, whales, or cheetahs, depending on where they went.

 

Another fun station to visit was our prize table, located by the ocean exhibit where things went swimmingly for the visitors who spun the prize wheel. There was a prize for everyone, whether it was chapstick, a shell, a small animal figure, or something else. Plenty of patrons had their phones out to commemorate the occasion, but for the ones that wanted something a little more professional there was a photo booth set-up complete with props that can only be found at a life science museum. After all, we never said what kind of professional.

If you didn’t get the chance to go this year, there’s always next year. And if you’re hoping to attend something a little sooner, Easter Family Night is right around the corner and open to everybunny! 

Arissa, student educator

2023 Darwin Day

Despite the chilly morning, visitors made the trip to the Bean Life Sciences Museum on Saturday, February 11th. What set the museum apart from any ordinary weekend on this day was the celebration of Charles Darwin! Today we can thank this scientist known as the “Father of Evolution” for much of our knowledge about how species develop and adapt in a world of changing ecosystems. 

Patrons were greeted with a sticker and a stamp card, which was used to indicate participation at four engaging activities that taught about the science of evolution. Stories about Charles Darwin’s exciting and informative voyage on the HMS Beagle were shared. Creative artwork featuring Charles’ very own beard kept hands and minds busy, kids and parents alike. Visitors had the opportunity to compare adaptations between specimens to learn about the distinctions that make them unique and help them survive. As patrons completed these activities to celebrate Charles Darwin’s legacy, they also remembered his contributions by enjoying a slice of his birthday cake! Through laughs and smiles, appreciation for our earth and the processes that keep it ticking grew with the festivities of the day!

McCady, student educator