With the goal of enhancing people’s understanding of natural and cultural history, the CSMNH develops and coordinates engaging learning opportunities that showcase research, scholarship, and creativity to various internal and external audiences. Our programs and events include: field-learning activities, workshops, lectures, and community outreach events.
WORKSHOP
10 June 2023
Aquatic Insects of Connecticut – Fly Tying Workshop
Saturday, 9AM-4PM
UConn Storrs
Learn about and create lures mimicking the native aquatic insects that serve as critical food sources for popular game fish in Connecticut’s rivers!
Building on the success of last year’s event, the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History is excited to once again be collaborating with the Connecticut Fly Fisherman’s Association (CFFA) and the UConn Biodiversity Research Collections (BRC) to hold their Aquatic Insects of Connecticut Fly Tying Workshop!
Participants will learn to recognize the primary insect groups and how to tie patterns on hooks to simulate their behaviors and ecology while fly fishing in local rivers such as the Fenton, Farmington, and Willimantic Rivers. Participants are encouraged to use their new skills and lures with subsequent participation in the CFFA’s educational programs of casting and advanced tying.
Registration fee of $15 includes all materials to create 3 unique flies.
Participants aged 12 – 16 must be accompanied by a chaperone.
If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the CSMNH at 860-486-4460 or CSMNHinfo@uconn.edu by Monday, June 5, 2023.
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Registration is limited to 15 participants and closes June 5 or when registration is full.
FIELD SCHOOL
7-11 August 2023
Archaeology Field School for Adults with the Office of State Archaeology
The Connecticut State Museum of Natural History, the Office of State Archaeology (OSA), and the Friends of the Office of State Archaeology, Inc. (FOSA) are pleased to be once again offering their week-long Archaeology Field School for Adults.
Monday-Friday, 9AM-3PM
South Glastonbury, CT
Registration Cost: $300 for week-long field school
Participants will gain hands on experience contributing to an authentic and significant archaeological investigation, working with primary sources at a 17th-century English colonial site in South Glastonbury, Connecticut. You can learn more about the history of the Hollister field site by visiting the OSA website. Days will start at 9am and end at 3pm, with a break for a brown bag lunch. The field school will cover the basics of field methods, paperwork, mapping, data management, and artifact identification.
The program is designed to provide a deeper appreciation of the importance of archaeology as a tool for learning about Connecticut’s fascinating past. Learning proper archaeological methods will develop the participant’s understanding of the ethical aspects of archaeology and the archaeologist’s responsibility to preserve the data they retrieve so that it will remain valuable to future researchers.
The Archaeological Field School is taught by Connecticut State Archaeologist Dr. Sarah Sportman with support from FOSA, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support the Connecticut Office of State Archaeology through education, public outreach, partnerships with local communities, financial support, and public assistance.
While the program is open to all adults, it may be of special interest to educators who teach history or social sciences in a classroom or museum setting.
Space for this program is limited!
Registration is open to adults aged 18+ and ends July 24, 2023.
If you require an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the CSMNH at 860-486-4460 or CSMNHinfo@uconn.edu by Monday, July 24, 2023.