Family Activities
Family-friendly events for families with children of all ages.
Learn about Flintknapping
First Saturday
2nd, 3rd, and 5th Sunday
1 to 4 p.m.
Demonstration of flintknapping techniques in our Museum Discover Room with James Kickham. James started flintknapping at Idaho State University when he was in high school. He developed those skills from multiple technical courses and mentors while honing them working for the Idaho Museum of Natural History. He has also given lectures and presentations on stone tools while working as a Park Ranger.
In Gallery Activity
Offering different in gallery activities as part of admission. During extended hours starting April 2nd will be from 5:30 to 7 pm.
- April 2, Origami - Join Sarah, artist, to guide you through the process of making your own origami animal!
- April 9, Children's Reading & Activity Time - Join Hailie, educator, for a children's story and associated activity. CANCELED
- April 16, Garbology - Join Stephanie, anthropologist, to find out about the scientific study of trash, including its origins, patterns, and society and the environment.
- April 23, Children's Reading & Activity Time - Join Hailie, educator, for a children's story and associated activity.
- April 30, Garbology - Join Stephanie, anthropologist, to find out about the scientific study of trash, including its origins, patterns, and society and the environment.
Ancient Phosphoria Sea
April 29, 2025
6 to 8 pm
$3 - Single
$10 - Family
Free - Museum Members and ISU Community with discount code
Join Dr. Leif Tapanila for a dive into the Ancient Phosphoria Sea. The ancient phosphoria sea gives us mines for fertilizer. It also records the history of the world's strangest sharks and an ocean taken over by sponges!
Space is limited, registration is required. Museum Members and ISU Community receive free admission with discount code. Didn't receive a discount code, email ambertews@isu.edu
Lunch & Learn
April 30, 2025
12 to 1 pm
Free
Topic: Fear the Flesh Saw! A redescription of the holotype of Sarcoprion edax using CT-Scans to examine the form and function of the jaw with Tobias Babcock
Sarcoprion is the best-preserved relative of Helicoprion, but since its description in the 1950's, very little research has been done on this unusual shark, and many mysteries remain regarding its anatomy and how it ate. However, the past few decades have allowed for new technologies like Computed Tomography (CT) Scanning to unravel the mystery of other whorl-toothed sharks like Helicoprion. CT-Scaninng, photography, and 3-D modeling of the holotype of Sarcoprion reveal new insights into the anatomy of this bizarre shark's teeth, jaws, relatives, and growth.
Tobias is currently working on a redescription of the holotype material for the Permian shark Sarcoprion edax for his master's thesis working under Dr. Leif Tapanila. His primary research interests are in Paleozoic Fishes and Dinosaurs. Tobias graduated from Montana State University, with a bachelor's degree in Earth Sciences, Paleontology Concentration. He has extensive volunteer and work experience in paleontology, including histology, collections, fieldwork, and more. Paleontology is a lifelong passion of Tobias, and he's always happy to share his passion through teaching, outreach, and research.