Holiday activities at the Otago Museum

WHAT’S ON AT THE OTAGO MUSEUM THESE HOLIDAYS

It’s all go at the Otago Museum these school holidays; from bouncing balls to Animals Antics – there’ll be no time for boredom!

Rugby fever continues at the Otago Museum these school holidays, with a whole afternoon of rugby related revelry to kick it off at Future All Blacks Arvo! On Sunday 9 October join special guests Rugger the Small Black, Harold from Life Education Trust and our very own Manu Moa for a day packed with rugby fun, rugby science and rugby skills.

Want to look like a real All Black? Enter the ‘Design the Ultimate Rugby Player’ competition to win your very own 2011 All Black Jersey. See the Information Desk or our website for the entry form and be at Future All Blacks Arvo to see if you’re the winner!

We’re staying with the All Black theme as we go ‘black and forth’ through the galleries with a trail to discover the meanings and mysteries of black. Grab a Go Black Trail from the Search Centre throughout the holidays – and it’s free! Or if you’re after a rip roaring adventure tour, join our Ringmaster as he tells the dramatic story of the Lawrence lions, and gives accounts of the wondrous beasts that would have once featured in the greatest shows on Earth in Animal Antics on Wednesday 19, Friday 21 and Saturday 22 October.

Freaky Science goes ‘Plastic Fantastic’ these holidays, when we use crazy chemistry to discover just how polymer-iffic this versatile material can be! Then in ‘Brilliantly Bouncing Balls’ we’ll dissect and experiment with balls of all shapes and sizes. Don’t miss the free Freaky Science shows at 2.30pm every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday during the holidays from 11 October.

Discovery Squad goes around the world and beyond these holidays, as we get wild on ‘Wild West Monday’ and see how to save the planet from your backyard on ‘Eco-Warrior Wednesday’. Be there on ‘Spring-sational Thursday’ as we banish the winter blues, or brave it on ‘Haunted Halloween Friday’ to create creepy crawlies for tricks this Halloween. Find the full list of Discovery Squad days on our website.

Robots are getting musical these holidays as you create your very own Robo-popstar! Compose an anthem to support the All Blacks or lay out some funky electronica and prove that even robots can have rhythm in Robot Idol Workshops every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the holidays.

Meanwhile, Mighty Parasites are the talk of the Tropical Forest – join us to discover the awesome adaptations of these incredible survivors daily at 2pm; and encounter brain bending optical illusions as you see how your brain and eyes mislead you in ‘Seeing is Believing’ on the Interactive Trolley, also happening daily throughout the holidays at 3.30pm.

Finally, the Scinema Festival is back for 2011. From Worm Hunters to Wild Things, take a fresh look at science with this year's specially selected films, screening daily in the Discovery World Theatre.

Visit www.otagomuseum.govt.nz for full details, as we get fired up these holidays for some fantastic family fun!