JULY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ARE HERE!
As the July school holidays have begun, we are excited to share the huge range of activities available at Otago Museum from 8–19 July. During the school holidays, Otago Museum is hosting a mix of educational and fun activities for all ages including:
Capcom Go! The Apollo Story 3D
This documents the Apollo programme, and what it took to put the first person on the Moon 50 years ago. Discover the story behind this historic moment, which continues to inspire generations of explorers and dreamers.
Our Climate: Change and Choice
With our newest popup exhibit, we will be exploring the theme of our changing climate, in New Zealand and around the world, and considering what solutions we have at our fingertips.
Matariki Makerspace and Puaka Matariki Gallery Trail
Mark the Māori New Year by making your own Matariki-themed star wand or mini bunting, or explore the Museum's galleries on our newest museum gallery trail. A special prize is waiting for anyone who makes it to the end!
Throughout the day | 8–19 July
More information here
CAPCOM GO! THE APOLLO STORY 3D
Capcom GO! The Apollo Story is our newest immersive 3D Planetarium show documenting the Apollo programme, and what it took to put the first person on the Moon 50 years ago. Discover the story behind this historic moment, which continues to inspire generations of explorers and dreamers.
On 20 July, 1969, 600 million people around the world gathered to witness an historic moment of human achievement, broadcast live from the Moon. “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”, Neil Armstrong famously said, as the world celebrated the astronauts taking their first steps on the Moon. Few people were aware of just how huge an effort it had been to get them there though.
These Apollo 11 astronauts were just two of nearly 400 000 people who had worked for more than 10 years towards this goal.
But how did they do it? Come to the Planetarium and find out!
$7–$10 | Perpetual Guardian Planetarium
10.30am, 12.30pm and 3.30pm | 6–20 July
More information here
OUR CLIMATE: CHANGE AND CHOICE
Our special school holiday pop-up exhibit will be answering some key questions:
- How do we know what our climate was like in the past?
- How is it changing today, and why?
- What can we do about it, as individuals, and as a nation?
We will be exploring the theme of our changing climate, in New Zealand and around the world, and considering what solutions we have at our fingertips.
Come along to learn how corals, ice sheets and pollen grains record our climate history. Test how our oceans are changing today with some fun experiments. Share a bright idea or make a personal pledge to help reduce your carbon footprint, and be in to win a free pass to Tūhura Otago Community Trust Science Centre for an adult and child each week of the holidays!
Free | Atrium Level 1
12.30pm and 3.30pm daily, 6–21 July
More information here
MATARIKI MAKERSPACE
Join your community and celebrate the Māori New Year.
Get stuck into a Matariki-inspired activity at Makerspace. You could create a star wand, design mini bunting or try making a thaumatrope. Come along and join the fun!
Free | Atrium Level 1
Throughout the day | Monday 8 to Friday 12 July (except Wednesday)
More information here
PUAKA MATARIKI GALLERY TRAIL
Mark Māori New Year, and the rising of the star Puaka and the Matariki star cluster, by going on a journey of discovery through the galleries to find some of the Museum’s stellar items.
Otago Museum gallery trails are a perfect day out during long school holidays. Take your favourite small person on a treasure hunt through the Museum and follow the clues to collect your prize!
Free | Start at the Otago Museum Info Desk
Throughout the day, 6–20 July
More information here
MAHIKA KAI
For Māori, the best times for the cultivation and harvesting of food were marked by bodies visible in the night sky. The passing of years, seasons, and months were signalled by prominent stars and the phases of the moon.
Join a Museum Guide and take a closer look at how traditional food and natural resources were managed in Te Waipounamu through our displays and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu’s Mahinga Kai films, now showing in our Southern Land, Southern People gallery.
Free | Southern Land, Southern People gallery
2pm weekends, 29 June to 21 July
More information here
Fireworks – Debby Willocks. Highly Commended, Human Impact.
2019 OTAGO WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
Explore the natural world through the finest images and videos from Otago’s most talented amateur photographers and videographers. Vote for your favourite in the 2019 People's Choice category!
Free | Beautiful Science gallery
Open daily until 20 July
More information here
EXPLORERS' CLUB: JULY 2019
End of term is here, and you know what that means – time to sort your Explorers Club bookings for July; there are still some psaces available!
These holidays, themes include:
Carnival Capers Hola Amigos! It’s carnival time at the Museum these school holidays. Get ready to party and dance as we chase away the winter blues.
Mystical Myths Before there was science, mythology told the stories of the world around us. Explore the myths and legends of ancient Greece and the Māori people of New Zealand, as we learn about the beliefs that shaped the past.
...and lots more!
Weekdays during the school holidays from Monday 8 to Friday 19 July
Whole day sessions: $55 per child 8.30am–5.30pm
Half day sessions: $30 per child 8.30am–1pm OR 1pm–5.30pm
Ages 5–12, fully supervised, dress for mess!
Bring a packed lunch and drink bottle or pre-order your lunch from our Café
More information and book here!
