Tūhura Club Term 4

Looking for an after-school programme that ignites your child's curiosity, stretches their learning, and inspires a love of science? Come along to Tūhura Club at Otago Museum!

Led by qualified science educators, your child will explore the richest ecosystem in the world in the tropical forest, find out where life is possible in the planetarium, and discover the treasures hidden around the museum as we enjoy a term themed around sustainable living.

A caregiver is welcome to attend with each child at no extra cost for some special science-time bonding, or you can drop off and pick up. This programme is open to children aged between 8 and 14 years. Bookings are essential.

Tūhura Club Sessions

Session 1 – We are what we eat
3.30pm – 5pm, Wednesday 21 October
Are your taste buds tempted by delicious treats or silverbeets? Discover how to grow your own food for yourself and other wildlife. Take home your own seeds to grow through the term and see who grows the most!

Session 2 – Toxic waste
3.30pm – 5pm, Wednesday 28 October
What is pollution? From light and sound to rubbish and gases, these examples of pollution are all around us. Let’s experiment and learn how reducing, reusing, and recycling can help reduce our use of resources. Be creative and upcycle some items to make something useful to take home!

Session 3 – Wild weather
3.30pm – 5pm, Wednesday 4 November
The climate has been changing on Earth since the beginning of time. Let’s explore why this happens and find out more about the wild weather patterns associated with climate change. There will be cloud making in the Tropical Forest and a chance to visit the Climate Change – Striking a Balance exhibition. Take home your own tornado!

Session 4 – Energy: the good, the bad, and the ugly
3.30pm – 5pm, Wednesday 11 November
Energy is everywhere! Let’s experiment to discover the forms of energy that are good (renewable), old (fossil fuels) and ugly (where energy is released in decomposition), and learn how to use energy wisely. Take home your own fruit or vegetable powered device!

Session 5 – Bugs and drugs
3.30pm – 5pm, Wednesday 18 November
Tūhura Club goes viral as we explore how science and technology can help battle illnesses. From fighting off bacterial infections to battling viruses, our immune system is just amazing. Create your own bacteria artwork!

Session 6 – Mass extinctions
3.30pm – 5pm, Wednesday 25 November
The dinosaurs weren’t the first animals to get wiped from the face of Earth, and won’t be the last. Let’s explore Earth’s extinctions and the reasons they happened. Many scientists agree we are now in a mass extinction. Let’s discover why, and what we can do about it. Make your own strategy to save life on Earth!

Session 7 – Pesky pests
3.30pm – 5pm, Wednesday 2 December
From rock snot to possums, unwanted visitors and introduced pests can bring a balanced environment to an end. Let’s explore what science and technology can do to help regain this equilibrium, and how New Zealand can become pest free. We’ll discover why conservation of native ecosystems is so important as we explore exhibits around the Museum. Make your own tracking tunnel or trap to find out what lives near you.

Session 8 – End of year party
3.30pm – 5pm, Wednesday 9 December
Celebrate the end of the year with an extravaganza and use our knowledge of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics to plan the future.
Become an artist as we paint a picture of our future world, in beautiful New Zealand Aotearoa.

3.30pm – 5pm, Wednesdays 21 October until 9 December
Tūhura Otago Community Trust Science Centre
$20 per child, per session, book at the Info Desk or online.
Book seven sessions and get one free