“Dino-Ween is such a blast,” says Las Vegas Natural History Museum Director of Education Grace Njoroge.

Throughout the year. Grace designs STEAM-oriented educational programming for the museum–captivating young visitors and introducing them to natural-science concepts, the humanities and history, even as they’re having fun.

Halloween, especially, spotlights this imaginative programming, through the museum’s annual “Dino-Ween” celebration.

Games, hands-on maker activities, costumes, candy and, most of all, fun learning activities, characterize the day.

This year’s “Dino-Ween” happens next Friday, October 25th, from 10 am to 3 pm. Guests are encouraged to come in costume, and children in costume, ages 3 to 11, receive free admission. Here’s the link for more information.

And once Friday is over, the fun–and the education-continue.

LVNHM’s additional programs include regular shark feeding presentations, “Creepy Crawlies” workshops on millipedes on October 27th and the upcoming “A December to Remember” program, spotlighting holiday traditions from around the world,

Grace offered a preview of “Dino-Ween” 2024, explained what guests will see in some of the museum’s exhibits and gave us a look ahead at an exciting special event happening in 2025.

Las Vegas Natural History Museum hosts “Dino-Ween” next Friday, October 25th, from 10 am to 3 pm, and you’re invited! Kids in costume, ages 3-11, get free admission, and “big kids” are encouraged to come in costume as well. Here’s the link for information.

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

• One of Grace’s favorite ways the museum is combining art, science and storytelling with some very fun technology for “Dino-Ween”;

• A look back at the Museum’s use of virtual reality for last year’s Halloween event;

• A closer look at the “critters” behind this year’s theme, “Creepy Crawly Carnival”;

• Some of the educational programs planned around the “creepy crawlies”;

• An imaginary “walk” through this year’s “Dino-Ween” event;

• What the pumpkins will be doing!:

• One surprise visitors experienced, during “Dino-Ween” 2023;

• What guests this year will get to explore, in the museum’s paleontology lab;

• The museum’s “Treasures of Egypt” exhibit, and what guests will learn and get to do;

• What October 25th will be like, for Grace and her team;

• What’s going to be happening with the museum’s dinosaurs!

• Some of the “messy science” projects which young visitors will get to do, outside!

• One of Grace’s absolute best experiences, designing programs as the new Director of Education over the past year;

• And, one of her favorite moments, with a cultural event that incorporated art, science and the humanities;

• One of the best lessons which Grace herself learned, as an educator who continues to grow and learn within the community.

• A closer look at a local cultural group and the activities they brought to the museum;

• Why “Dino-Ween” is fun-scary, as opposed to terrifying (there won’t be any “creepy crawlies” on the loose!);

• How to support the museum in their programming, and where to find upcoming events;

• A preview of an exciting cultural event scheduled for 2025 at the museum (artists, take note!)