ROMKids

A scarab beetle. Forever rolling a ball of elephant dung across...

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:38:00 -0400

A scarab beetle. Forever rolling a ball of elephant dung across the sky, rising & setting the sun.

torontobluejays: A young fan meets his hero, @blawrie1313...

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:33:00 -0400

torontobluejays:

A young fan meets his hero, @blawrie1313 #BlueJays

I like how the kid is signing the baseball for Brett Lawrie!

Hope you had a “Gneiss” Weekend! Welcome back everyone! I hope...

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:02:59 -0400

Hope you had a “Gneiss” Weekend!

Welcome back everyone! I hope you all had an enjoyable and relaxing long weekend. I hope it was relaxing! I spent part of my weekend at the museum helping out with earth science weekend, and it seemed as though many of you were there too. I thought it was a great turn out and I’m thankful for all those who came out for a visit. If you missed this weekend, don’t worry we still have a few more themed weekends.

We had some fantastic activities running; we were making our own rocket, starting our own rock collections, we got to touch a piece of outer space, and (my personal favourite) walk on the moon. For those who came out, did you notice that we also tried to fit the whole solar system into our first floor? We started by using the centre of the old main entrance as the point for where our sun would be and proceeded to place all the planets at their proportional distances. Neptune ended in the China gallery! Walking back and forth and setting up was definitely a workout.

With this scale, did you know that if we were to include Pluto, it would have had to be placed outside of the museum out in the back?! Imagine setting up for that! (Jokes aside, Pluto, you’ll always be considered a planet to me). We also had this great puzzle where we could create our own constellations and our very own ROM made tectonic plate/ Pangaea puzzle (thanks to Chris for the time and effort, it was brilliant).

Overall I thought everyone had a great time, whether it was setting up or doing the activities, and I hope you agree too! Now that the break is done, time to start up on the next weekend. Stay tuned to see what we have planned next….

MORE ON EARTH SCIENCES WEEKEND!

Learn about the planets and check out our scale model of the solar system today at the museum! twitter.com/ROMKids/status…

— Kiron/ROMKids (@ROMKids)

May 18, 2013

only 85 rare palisite meteorites found on Earth and we have one you can touch! @romtoronto Earth Sciences Weekend, Sun & Mon.

— Lorie Pierce (@CreativeLorie)

May 19, 2013

Today: I’ll be teaching kids how to hunt meteorites! Drop by @cpsxnews booth at the ROM. @romkids @westernu @csa_asc twitter.com/MarianneMader/…

— Marianne Mader (@MarianneMader)

May 20, 2013

Everyone is building their own rock and mineral collections @romtoronto Earth and Space weekend twitter.com/geokatgirl/sta…

— Katherine Dunnell (@geokatgirl)

May 19, 2013

Getting ready for our noon starlab show! Starring @romtoronto’s Bethany, w/ a guest appearance from @cbctoronto! twitter.com/ROMKids/status…

— Kiron/ROMKids (@ROMKids)

May 18, 2013

Rocks from space! @cpsxnews booth at ROM with Lisa Cupelli& @mariannemader @romkids #westernu twitter.com/MarianneMader/… twitter.com/CPSXnews/statu…

— CPSX (@CPSXnews)

May 18, 2013

We came for the conservation display, but got pleasantly distracted by the @cpsxnews astro folks & Egypt tour. Too much here @romtoronto #fb

— JustinTrottier (@JustinTrottier)

May 18, 2013

… and check out this awesome photo set from one family’s visit HERE!

Rachel is currently finishing up her Education degree from Trent University by completing her intership with ROMKids. With her background in Archaeology and Education, she is all prepared for her eventual time travel experiences. Check her posts HERE.

My desk this afternoon.

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:52:00 -0400

My desk this afternoon.

Tyrannosaurus rex tooth. Can also double as a: dagger, railroad...

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:20:00 -0400

Tyrannosaurus rex tooth. Can also double as a: dagger, railroad spike, killer banana.

It’s like looking into the eyes of the earth. It’s easy to see...

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:46:00 -0400

It’s like looking into the eyes of the earth. It’s easy to see how gems can be so hypnotizing.

abluegirl: My small people at the romkids’ earth sciences...

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:40:06 -0400

abluegirl:

My small people at the romkids’ earth sciences exhibit.

This is AWESOME! Thank you so much for coming out and taking part in our Earth Sciences Weekend activities and…

walking on the moon
building a rock collection
assembling pangea
creating a rocket ship
and for snapping these photos!

Sodalite: the diet pop of rocks?

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:47:00 -0400

Sodalite: the diet pop of rocks?

RIGHT NOW at the Royal Ontario Museum, you can walk on the...

Sun, 19 May 2013 20:03:47 -0400

Me holding the moon.

Me walking on the moon.

RIGHT NOW at the Royal Ontario Museum, you can walk on the Moon!

A piece of the moon brought down during one of the Apollo missions, is now on display at the Museum. It’s been put in a wonderful platform for you to walk on.

So you can tell your all your friends you’re one of the few to have ever walked on the moon. #the wittiest thing we’ve ever done

Remember! We also have the Moon on display year around, as well as meteorites from Mars!

The best in window shopping is always available at the Museum.

Sun, 19 May 2013 10:12:00 -0400

The best in window shopping is always available at the Museum.

Get your hands on a 2.7 billion year old rock this weekend...

Sat, 18 May 2013 21:42:00 -0400

Get your hands on a 2.7 billion year old rock this weekend @romtoronto.

The Moon. On display @romtoronto. Get ready for Earth Sciences...

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:56:00 -0400

The Moon. On display @romtoronto.

Get ready for Earth Sciences Weekend on May 18, 19, 20 at the Museum! We’ll be posting special photos all week!

The Earth is so pumped for the Museum’s Earth Sciences Weekend it QUAKED in excitement....

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:19:00 -0400

The Earth is so pumped for the Museum’s Earth Sciences Weekend it QUAKED in excitement. #earthquake

MORE on Earth Sciences Weekend!
Get up to the minute updates on Canadian earthquakes @Canadaquakes!
Follow this SEISMIC event on twitter HERE
Learn more about the TWO earthquakes felt in Canada this morning HERE.

“ROCK” on at the ROM It has been the second week of working with...

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:11:46 -0400

Rachel and the moon.

Rachel with our Rocket Ship art project for the weekend!

“ROCK” on at the ROM

It has been the second week of working with ROMKids, and I am extremely excited for this coming weekend.

We have been busy planning for our Earth Science themed Weekend! The ROM is very well known for their collection of World History, but the Natural Science Galleries of the ROM is just as extensive! Don’t’ just take my word, come out and see for yourself.

This week I learned that at the Royal Ontario Museum, Earth Science is not just limited to the Science related to the earth (yes I know that part seems obvious, but please bear with me…) but it is also related to outer space as well (mind blowing isn’t it? Outer space is considered to be part of Earth Science… EARTH Science). With that being said, I have helped plan a variety of fun activities, that are part and off this planet. I also found out that the ROM has pieces of the moon on display! I have to admit, I don’t know where they are, but I’ve made it my goal to find out this weekend (Spolier, I found them! See the photo above!). Who knew we could see something so cool, so close to home?

We have some more work to complete before we’re all set for this weekend. But I guarantee that this weekend is going to be OUT OF THIS WORLD!

I hope to see you all at Earth Science Weekend 2013!

Find out more information on Earth Sciences Weekend HERE!

This is me with the fourth largest piece of Mars on Earth. I’M...

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:12:00 -0400

This is me with the fourth largest piece of Mars on Earth. I’M HOLDING A PIECE OF ANOTHER PLANET!

I’M ABOUT TO POST A PHOTO OF ME HOLDING A PIECE OF MARS! …. sorry, excitement overload!

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:08:00 -0400

I’M ABOUT TO POST A PHOTO OF ME HOLDING A PIECE OF MARS!

…. sorry, excitement overload!

Mars. On display now at the Museum. Get ready for Earth...

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:44:00 -0400

Mars. On display now at the Museum.

Get ready for Earth Sciences Weekend on May 18, 19, 20 at the Museum! We’ll be posting special photos all week!

Perhaps the most beautiful of Earth’s treasures: Opal. Get...

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:35:00 -0400

Perhaps the most beautiful of Earth’s treasures: Opal.

Get ready for Earth Sciences Weekend on May 18, 19, 20 at the Museum! We’ll be posting special photos all week!

A FEW FINAL THOUGHTS ON CHRIS HADFIELD’S GIFT TO...

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:04:00 -0400

A FEW FINAL THOUGHTS ON CHRIS HADFIELD’S GIFT TO EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION & ACCESSIBILITY

You know my love for Chris Hadfield. You can see my first post about him here, “Reasons for Chris Hadfield”.

In my opinion, he is the embodiment of the modern scientist. Someone who is not only a researcher, but a tentpole around which we can build science accessibility and education.

He went up an scientist, but he’s seemingly returned to Earth an icon of education and communication, of which the world has rarely seen.

I honestly don’t even know how I can even go to bed now without a “Tonight’s Finale” photo from Chris of the world.

And with that I want to thank Chris deeply for all that he’s given to us.

I want to also send two special shout outs

To his son, Evan Hadfield, for coordinating all these efforts, and making it possible for us to talk to an astronaut. Up in space. Forever far away, but seemingly closer than most scientists I’ve ever met. Thank you for making this a possibility.
To the Canadian Space Agency, who I could not appreciate more. Exploration of space is not just about discovering the the final fronter, but about realizing what we as humans are fully capable of. Thank you for helping us all experience this.

MEDIA

Above is Chris’ “Space Oddity” cover video which is INSTANTLY the greatest video ever made.
Below is Chris talking about Social Media, something we all know and love.

And HERE is a great article from the CBC on Chris, Evan and the Canadian Space Agency exploration of Social Media in space, and their plans for the future.

“Early Life” of My ROM Internship Hi! I’m Rachel, and I’m a...

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:06:09 -0400

Meet Rachel!

Rachel's Early Life mural and puppets!

“Early Life” of My ROM Internship

Hi! I’m Rachel, and I’m a Teacher Candidate studying at Trent University. Back in the day, I used to volunteer with the ROM Summer Club and I had a fantastic experience. When I had to leave I couldn’t get the ROM out of my head, so when I was presented with an opportunity to complete my internship at the ROM, I couldn’t say no! This opportunity will not only let me continue working with children, but will also allow me to explore different types of jobs that I could branch out to (hint: I’m currently looking for a job, so if you’re interested let’s talk).

This week was the first of my 4 week internship, and this first week was action packed! After being introduced to the crew (shout out to Kiron, Chris and Suzanne) and being given a tour of the museum (before opening hours I might add), I had the opportunity to help out with creating the activities for Family Fun Weekends. This week’s theme: Early Life.

My tasks leading up to the weekend included painting a mural and creating the crafts for the children to come in to use as an example. I haven’t touched paints since my elementary school days, so when I was given the task to paint I was worried I would make something that was not presentable to the public. Luckily that didn’t happen, and it turned out better than I thought (everyone was very nice about it too).

Interesting facts I’ve learnt this week that I’d like to share.

Here are some of the prehistoric animals that lived before the dinosaurs: Trilobite, Eurypterid and Anomalocaris.
The Trilobite has its name because it’s made of 3 parts
the Eurypterid is also known as the sea scorpion
and the Anomalocaris was the length of your arm.

Though these are not as famous as some of the other creatures that have lived (I’m looking at you dinos), they are just as interesting and important to learn about.

I’m used to seeing the how the museum works as someone who visits on a weekly basis. But the next weeks will open my eyes to see how the museum works behind the scene. I sure hope these weeks don’t go by as fast as this first week did.