Hear ye, hear ye, all are welcome to the museum for a weekend of adventure, fun, and science! Explore the amazing scientific achievements from the Renaissance through hands-on activities. Activities for all ages include studying the stars, creating art, chemistry experiments, and more! Dress in your best festive attire for this magical and enlightening event! Food truck fare available for purchase. Pre-registration suggested.
Explore these hands-on activities throughout the museum:
Copernicus’ Cosmos: Explore how the work of Copernicus helped shape how we view the cosmos today.
Trebuchet: Break Down the Wall! Learn how a trebuchet works as you try to knock down the castle wall.
Draw Your Own Coat of Arms: Look around the Nature Nook for classic coat of arms symbols and draw your own to take home.
Beasts of the Renaissance: Can you figure out the real-life animal inspiration for these Renaissance beasts? Look at the life-size drawings and see if you can guess the animal they are supposed to be.
Draw Like a Renaissance Artist: Use a camera lucida or camera obscura to create a drawing, just like a Renaissance artist.
RenaisSCIENCE Scavenger Hunt (self-guided): Search the museum for the answers to get a special sticker prize.
Mineral Matching (self-guided): Rocks and minerals were prized in the Renaissance for their various qualities. Identify and match mineral specimens using their different characteristics.
Da Vinci Bridge Challenge (self-guided): Can you use popsicle sticks to create a tabletop version of a Da Vinci bridge?
Match the Mollusks (self-guided): Renaissance paintings often featured mollusks. Look at the various shell specimens and match them to the ones found in different works of art.
Special Sunday offering – Dungeons & Dragons Renaissance Learning Adventure (Add-on Program): Join Ben, our Dungeon Master, for a 90-minute renaissance-themed Dungeons & Dragons Learning Adventure. This is perfect for beginners who want to learn. You do not have to stay for the entire session. Maximum of 10 people per session. Purchase your timed tickets at the front desk. (Sunday only, 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m.)
Learn from these amazing community partners:
Alchemy (a.k.a. Chemistry): Explore the wonders of “alchemy” through hands-on chemistry experiments with University of Delaware Professor Victoria Muir, Ph.D. and her research team. (Saturday only)
From Sheep to Shawl: Learn wool processing from Greenbank Mills & Philips Farm and their sheep. (Saturday only)
Galileo & Lasers – Laser-Powered Beaming Through Europa’s Ocean: In the Year 1610, Galileo discovered Europa! In the Year 1687, Newton proposed his second law of Motion! In the Year 2525, Newton’s second law of motion could be used to help determine the speed of a laser-powered probe as it travels through Europa’s Ocean. Explore this with retired Delaware State University physics professor Mike Cimorosi. (Saturday and Sunday, Noon–3 p.m. )
Renaissance and Robots: Explore the evolution of mechanics from the Renaissance to today with robots built by the students MOE FTC Robotics Team. (Saturday and Sunday)
Life before the Renaissance with members of the Society for Creative Anachronism: The Shire of Caer Adamant Chapter: Learn about the skills and culture before the Renaissance through hands-on activities and demonstrations. (Saturday and Sunday)
Meet the local artisans and vendors that will have gifts and other items for sale:
ADHD Laser Focused LLC: 3D printed creatures, gaming items, fidgets and more
Faerie Warrior: Variety of handmade crochet items, metal jewelry, plushies, and fantasy art
Fey Fire Pyrography: Handmade wood and burned art from found and upcycled wood
Once Again Bears: Handmade stuffed animals from upcycled clothing and found objects
Pixie and Paladin Crafts: Handmade leather, wood, and metal goods and accessories
The Science Experience: Try hands-on science experiments!
Tri-State Bird Volunteer Crafts: Handmade craft goods from the volunteers at the Tri-State Bird Rescue
Facepainting by Dori: Get into the festive spirit with enchanting face painting!
Enjoy these timed presentations throughout the day:
10:30 a.m. – Storytime in the Nature Nook
11:30 a.m. – Meet the “Beasts” of DelMNS: Live Animal Presentation – Museum Backyard
12:30 p.m. – History of Pockets: How did pockets get so small? – Community Room (Saturday only)
12:30 p.m. – Fossils in the Renaissance – Paleozone (Sunday only)
1:30 p.m. – Storytime in the Nature Nook
2:30 p.m. – Turtle Jousting: Which of the DelMNS turtles will be victorious? – Museum Backyard
3:30 p.m. – Mythical Creatures of DelMNS Guided Tour – Meet at the Front Desk
Click here to Register
