2025 Fall Mystery Dinner Night Report

On November 22, 2025, 61 unsuspecting guests arrived at the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum for a seemingly normal dinner party. Mr. Bean himself welcomed them and thanked them for coming to the semi-annual event. However as dinner was winding down, a loud scream echoed through the building and they were soon informed by the resident detectives that Mr. Bean had been murdered. An investigation was soon under way. 

After guests raced around the museum to solve riddles and interrogate suspects, it came to light that the murder was done in the Conservatory, with the porcupine quills, by none other than Mrs. White. She tried to make a break for it, but was quickly apprehended and arrested. 

The top three teams who solved the murder were rewarded and cake was served.

Amy, museum educator

Evolutionary Tree of Life Exhibit Opening

On November 20th the Bean Museum hosted a grand opening for its historic new Tree of Life exhibit. Museum Director Dr. Michael Whiting gave a few remarks and cut the ribbon, after which guests were able to take their first tours of the new exhibit. Before heading into the exhibit, each guest was able to pick out a button with an organism in the exhibit to find as they explored the Tree of Life. To begin their journey, guests watched a video explaining the making of the Tree of Life exhibit and the work of students and curators that went into its creation. They walked through deep time, beginning with the first single celled organism and witnessing the evolution of the diversity of species on planet Earth as they progressed through the halls of the exhibit. 

A distinct sense of awe and wonder was present as patrons saw first hand hundreds of beautiful insect specimens, the jar of snakes, massive crabs, giant fossils, and even a few extinct animals. It was truly a night to remember and a celebration of the hard work of students and faculty over the course of 2 years to create this amazing new exhibit. Be sure to come explore the Tree of Life for yourself on the lower level of the Bean Museum!

Margaret, museum educator

Fall 2025 University Date Night

University Date Night was truly lit as hundreds of university students visited the museum to learn about bioluminescence during the Night of Lights. Curious visitors took a deep dive into current events as they explored the different levels of the ocean in “Journey to the Hadal Zone.” Many strange and wonderful creatures made an appearance there—and we’re not just talking about the students!

Fans of the firefly squid gave it a glowing recommendation when they found it again at the button station. Many guests also left with noticeably brighter countenances after visiting the glow-in-the-dark face-paint station.

Couples flashed each other (honor code approved) with flashlights and Morse code in the Firefly Room. Clear communication can be tricky, but they found a way. We don’t know how many people met their soulmate that Friday, but we definitely saw plenty of sparks!

Arissa, education assistant

2025 Wild Edibles Nature Experienceship Report

What is there to eat on campus? There are a few obvious answers: food from restaurants at the Cougareat, meals from the dining hall, snacks from vending machines. But hiding in plain sight are some other delicious options: plants!

Led by foraging expert Tom Smith, participants in the Wild Edibles Nature Experienceship spent a Saturday morning exploring the world of edible plants. Participants picked, gathered, tasted, cooked, ground, and sampled all kinds of food that you couldn’t find at a regular grocery store. On a tour of campus, they learned to see familiar places through new eyes - learning what plants can be eaten fresh, what can be cooked into delicious sauces or jellies, how to grind flour from acorns, and how to tap syrup from trees. Tom Smith entertained us with tales of foraging from his own life, and examples of how using what’s around us can be an everyday principle.

After the excursion, the team returned to the kitchen to sample some incredible dishes. Acorn flour cookies and bread, elderberry muffins, and homemade chocolate were all a huge hit, as well as a puffball mushroom soup. New tastes and smells were experienced by all, and participants had an unforgettable morning learning what wonderful things there are to eat all around us.

Leah, museum educator

2025 Fall Trivia Night Report

Last Friday, October 10th at the Bean we had our spooktacular Trivia Night at the Museum, the second in a series of rotating trivia nights in each of the BYU museums. With the help of their taxidermied mascots, 10 daring teams competed to see who knew the most about spooky critters. Their mettle was tested as they faced questions about deep sea animals, terrifying fungi, nocturnal animals, and every kind of creepy, crawling bug. They even came face to face with a real-life tarantula. In the speed round contestants showcased their knowledge of Halloween in a Kahoot battle for the ages. Ultimately, it was team TJs that pulled ahead in the speed round to win it all. Join us for our next Trivia Night at the Bean on April 3rd!

• Trivia Night at the BYU Museum of Peoples and Cultures - November 21
• Trivia Night at the BYU Museum of Art - January 30
• Trivia Night at the BYU Bean Life Science Museum - April 3

Margaret, museum educator

2025 Fall Sketching Dead Things Report

On September 27th, BYU students were drawn to the Bean museum for Sketching Dead Things! After a quick run down of the evening’s itinerary, students scattered around the museum and sketched dead things for about an hour and a half. During this time of free sketching, soft music played over the speakers as museum employees talked with participants about sketching tips and tricks and encouraged them to check out the classroom which was full of touchable specimens and a how-to draw video featuring a student educator from the Bean museum. At the end of the event, participants had the opportunity to show off what they had drawn in a gallery walk while they ate cookies and checked out what others drew. Sketching Dead Things at the Bean Museum was a big hit this semester and we can’t wait to do it again!

Audrey Gordon, Museum Educator

2025 Fall Birding Report

On Saturday, September 27th, 2025, 24 pairs of eyes scoured the skies along the Provo River Delta as the Bean Museum Birding Nature Experienceship attendees embarked on their journey. Our group recorded a total of 34 bird species encountered as they traversed the path, listening to birdsong and spotting species with the assistance of binoculars and spotting scopes. We extend our thanks to the more reclusive birds for making an appearance and to Keeli Marvel from the Utah County Birders for joining us and being our expert guide.

Here is the full list of the 34 bird species spotted or heard:

• Mallard (7)

• California quail (2) (Heard only)

• Eurasian collared-dove (1)

• Mourning dove (6)

• Common nighthawk (3) 

• American coot (13)

• Sandhill crane (2)

• American avocet (3)

• Killdeer (23)

• Franklin’s gull (4)

• Caspian tern (2)

• Western grebe (2)

• Clark’s grebe (4)

• Double-crested cormorant (3) 

• Snowy egret (1)

• American white pelican (1) 

• Northern flicker (3)

• American kestrel (1)

• Black phoebe (1) 

• Black-capped chickadee (4) 

• Tree swallow (5) 

• Barn swallow (20) 

• Ruby-crowned kinglet (1) 

• Bewick’s wren (1)

• European starling (100) 

• American robin (2)

• House sparrow (3) 

• American goldfinch (20)

• White-crowned sparrow (7) 

• Song sparrow (3) 

• Red-winged blackbird (8) 

• Brewer’s blackbird (5) 

• Orange-crowned warbler (1) 

• Yellow-rumped warbler (9)

Common nighthawk

Birder using a spotting scope to get a closer look.

Northern flicker

All of the Birding Experienceship attendees on River Lane.

Picture credit: Katy Knight, Tasia Smith

Tasia Smith, museum educator

2025 Fall Insect Nature Experienceship Report

On Saturday, September 13, 2025, participants of this year’s insect experienceship had an un-”bee”-lievably fun time. Patrons began the day with a private tour of the Bean Museum’s entomology collection led by none other than Dr. Shawn Clark, manager of our entomology collection and insect extraordinare. After the tour, patrons loaded into museum vans and rode up Provo Canyon to Big Springs Park, on the way receiving some pretty “fly” stories from Dr. Clark all about insects. By this point, patrons were pretty “antsy” to catch some bugs! At Big Springs, the patrons learned all about different catching techniques, then everyone split up to catch some insects. Dr. Clark observed and gave tips about different species while participants caught their insects. At the end of the trip, Dr. Clark taught everyone about preserving and mounting their new specimens before everyone drove back to the museum. “Snailed” it!

Audrey, student educator

2025 Biology Bootcamp Report

This summer at the Bean Museum, kids have bean having so much fun at summer camps! In July, the Bean Life Science Museum hosted Biology Bootcamp, a week-long day camp for children ages 7 to 11. The camp consisted of five days, each with a theme modeled after different ecosystems throughout the world. 

Monday focused on the marine ecosystem as children learned about how different marine life swim, eat, and survive in deep ocean environments. The children had the opportunity to watch a fish dissection, create a clay shark, and use their imagination and observation skills as they hopped on a pretend submarine to enter a journey to the hadal zone. 

Tuesday’s theme was savanna safari. On this day, the children learned about mammals in the savanna as they participated in games and crafts focused on how mammals survive in a savanna ecosystem. The biggest hit was a popular outdoor game called survival of the fittest, where the children split into animal teams and tried their best to survive in the wild by gathering food and water while avoiding potential poachers and disease. 

Wednesday was jungle day. Children had the opportunity to explore the museum with a scavenger hunt, visit BYU’s duck pond, learn how to dance like a bird of paradise, and even got a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum’s wet collection. The day ended with a craft and fun rock-paper-scissors game, making Wednesday a big hit.

Thursday was an exciting day for the kids as the campers field tripped to the local Provo River Delta to learn about wetlands. On this day, the children had the opportunity to kayak in the wetland ecosystem at the delta and received hands-on experience as they learned to record observations in a field journal like real wetland scientists. 

The week’s finale was a field trip to Utah’s Hogle Zoo, giving the kids the chance to see all the animals they had learned about throughout the week in real life. Biology Bootcamp was a huge hit, and the museum cannot wait to host more summer camps like it next year!

Audrey Gordon, Student Educator

2025 Kayak Camp Report

This summer, the Bean Museum tried something new. Armed with a brand new flotilla of kayaks, we were excited to host the first ever Kayak Camp! In this exciting new summer camp, participants got to have a hands-on experience learning about wetlands and the wonderful creatures that live there.

On the first day of camp, we spent the morning at the museum, learning all about wetlands in preparation for our expedition. The campers learned about the unique history of the Provo River Delta, invented a new wetland organism with a unique life cycle, and even got to try their hand at building beaver dams. After lunch, armed with all this new information, we headed to the Delta to get out on the water for the first time. Whether or not they’d kayaked before, by the end of the day everyone was feeling confident on the water and ready for the adventures of day 2!

The second day of camp we spent the whole day out at the Provo River Delta. For half of the day, campers explored the Delta on foot. We used binoculars to spot birds like red-tailed hawks, ibises, ducklings, and many more. We also climbed a lookout tower, wrote in field journals, and went on a treasure hunt. For the other half of the day, campers went on a special kayaking expedition to a secret island with a picnic table. We enjoyed snacks, and also enjoyed getting a close up look at a bald eagle nest and the beautiful bald eagles that live there. 

Bald Eagles

Osprey

Western Kingbird

By the end of Kayak Camp, participants knew about all kinds of new plants and animals, had a new confidence on the water, and a new determination to protect our wetland ecosystems.

Leah, museum educator

2025 Easter Family Night Report

Spring has sprung here at the Bean Life Science museum, and we had a great opportunity to celebrate life, new beginnings, springtime, and our Savior last Monday at our Easter Family Night.

Hundreds of museum guests, young and old, were able to enjoy activities throughout the museum. At our curiosity carts, guests could get up close and personal with animal specimens, and even play a game matching real eggs to the animals that laid them. Guests also had the opportunity to take photos at an Easter photo booth, and do a fun flower craft!

The highlight of the evening was the easter egg scavenger hunt. Using a bingo card, guests searched high and low throughout the museum for paper easter eggs with different patterns on them. By matching up the patterns, they could get a bingo, and earn a chance to spin the prize wheel for pencils, animal toys, and museum tote bags. We are so glad that so many people were able to enjoy Easter Family Night!

Leah, museum educator

2025 Murder Mystery Dinner Party

“Attention guests: as you may have noticed, there has been a death on the premises.”

“Can’t we ever have one semester without a murder in this place?”

… Apparently not. At the Bean Museum’s 1920’s themed Murder Mystery Dinner Night this semester, the renowned singer, Mary Swan, was poisoned as she took the stage at the end of a delightful dinner. Through a sequence of tasks, riddles, interrogation, and evasion, teams of guests sought to convict the correct culprit. 

As they raced to solve the case, guests encountered the themed characters of Doctor Lily Leeches, bartender Jack “the Fix” O’Hare, flapper Frances Fox, oil tycoon Buck Pinchpenny, chauffeur Willie “the Wheel” Weaselton, Mary’s agent and personal assistant Ruby Rottweiler, Mary’s jealous sister Wanda Swan, and the duo of detectives.

In addition to riddles obtained from each of the characters, tasks involved mathematical logic puzzles, microscopes, unkeyed maps, ciphers, monochrome jigsaw puzzles, braille, and even buckets full of ping pong balls. You simply had to be there.

The thrilling rush of teamwork and competition- not to mention mocktails, a catered dinner, and cake- we think it’s safe to say the evening was enjoyed by all. And we hope you look forward to joining us for next semester’s Mystery Dinner Night, too, because who knows what it might hold?

Suzy, museum educator