The San Bernardino County Museum

Event date: SATURDAY, MARCH 19
Event Place: Redlands, CA

Insectival Returns to the County Museum

The education division of the San Bernardino County Museum and the Museum Youth Club are hosting "Insectival!" at the museum in Redlands on Saturday, March 19. A wide variety of insect-related activities for families are scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 4 p.m. Insectival is free with museum general admission; a materials fee of $1 applies for some activities.

"Insectival is a hands-on journey into the world of bugs," said Nancy Kirkwood, museum educator. "Visitors will explore fascinating insect displays, play games, and meet live bugs up close and personal."

Special events during Insectival include "Be an Insect: Buggy Games for Kids" with Dave Goodward at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. "Itsy Bitsy Spider" with George Miller at 11:30 a.m. introduces arachnids, and San Bernardino County Vector Control experts will talk about West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases at 3:00 p.m.

Can you put this paragraph before the preceding one? "Visitors will be enthralled by 'CSI: San Bernardino' presented by the San Bernardino County Coroner's Division," said Kirkwood. "They'll see how forensic entomologists use bugs to solve crimes. This presentation is rated PG, for Pretty Gross!" CSI San Bernardino is scheduled for 1:15 p.m.

Insect origami demonstrations will be held at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Origami expert Sean Green will also help visitors create their own origami throughout the day.

Insect talks by specialists will happen from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the museum's Exploration Station, also home to some amazing live insects. "Kreepy Krawly Kids Activities," including insect mask-making, create-a-critter, and bug stories, are scheduled for the museum's Education Center. Kids of all ages can have an insect painted onto their faces by Museum Youth Club artists. Special guest exhibitors, including Orkin, UC Riverside Department of Entomology, and Inland Master Gardeners will have displays and activities in the museum courtyard, where visitors can also learn how to pin bugs with Jim Voss, Victor Valley Forensic Science Department.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays and holiday Mondays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $6 (adult), $5 (senior or student) and $4 (child aged 5-12). Children under 5 and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free, and the facility is handicapped-accessible. Lunch, snacks, and beverages are available at the museum’s Garden Café from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org or call (909) 307-2669. / TDD/TTY: (909) 792-1462.