Wagner’s June 1st Saturday Open House: Meet the Turtles!

JUNE’S FIRST SATURDAY OPEN HOUSE

MEET THE TURTLES!

Join us for this special Open House featuring faculty and students from Saint Joseph’s University biology department, our longtime partner in the GeoKids LINKS program at local schools. Through hands-on activities, live demonstrations and talks in our Lecture Hall, they’ll share stories about their activities in the field and in their labs.

Among the special guests will be rare and exotic animals – including many different kinds of turtles – who live in the Biodiversity Lab run by Dr. Scott McRobert. The Lab serves as a conservation site for the study and management of endangered species. In addition, during talks in the Lecture Hall, Dr. McRobert will discuss the loss of biodiversity on our planet, the terms used in the field (what exactly is an endangered species, and why is extinction so hard to measure?) and some causes of the loss of biodiversity, and possible solutions.

The Exhibit Hall will be open for self-guided exploration of the natural history collection throughout the day. Explore our 100,000 natural history specimens, including ancient fossils, glowing minerals and animals from around the globe. Wander at your own pace or follow the path of one of our themed scavenger hunts. You can also pick up pencils and paper to draw from the specimens on display.

As always, there will be scavenger hunts and activities for families with children. There will be live demonstrations and activities led by our partners at St. Joe’s, including opportunities to interact with live animals from the Biodiversity Lab. We’ll also have information about science research opportunities available across the city for budding scientists!

Museum open Noon to 4 PM

Talks in the Lecture Hall:

1 PM & 3 PM: Dr. Scott McRobert – Tales from the Biodiversity Lab

The talks will be 45 minutes, with a Q & A. All ages welcome.

Free admission to the museum and programs; donations are encouraged!!

Things to Know Before Your Visit

• Walk-in visitors are welcome. Advance registration is appreciated and will speed up your entry to the museum.

• Masks are recommended but not required.

• There is no coat check or place to stow personal items – please travel light.

• To protect the specimens and our historic interiors, photography is not allowed in the museum and food and drink are not permitted in the building.

•The Institute does not have a parking lot. Street parking on Montgomery Avenue and 17th Street is free and metered parking is available on Bouvier Street and Cecil B. Moore.

A dream that keeps growing…

In 1855, William Wagner had a dream of providing free science education to anyone who wanted to learn, regardless of background or ability to pay. Today, the Wagner offers more programs to more people than ever before! Your support helps us provide free education, not only through the museum, but through a wide range of courses, lectures, field trips, and children’s science programs. Donations also assist us in caring for the museum and library collections and in preserving our wonderful building, which was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990. To learn more about what we do please visit our website.

Registration Information

In keeping with its original charter, admission is FREE—donations are suggested to ensure the future and quality of Wagner’s free education programs and to preserve its National Landmark building and collections.

Suggested Donations

$25/Family

$10/adult

$5/student

For any questions, please email tickets@wagnerfreeinstitute.org or call 215-763-6529 x17.

If you would like to check your membership status or become a member, please email KellyT@wagnerfreeinstitute.org or call 215-763-6529 x11.

Images: From the Biodiversity Laboratory at Saint Joseph’s University. Photographer: Scott McRobert.