The Lythronax, the dinosaur found in Eastern Utah that was unveiled at the Museum of Natural History of Utah earlier this month, had some visitors over for a sleepover Friday.
“We’re having a family sleepover. There’s 13 different families here with 40 total people and kids from ages five to 13. This is our fifth family overnight,” said Shelli Campbell, youth and family programs coordinator.
Participants had different types of activities to keep them entertained in the museum throughout the night.
“We did a bunch of different hands-on scientific activities tonight. We did experiments with dry ice, which was a big hit, we did owl pellet dissections and talked about the food chain. We had live insects. We did bristle bots, which is the head of a toothbrush, a motor, and a battery, and the kids create a robot. We had dinosaur skin moles that they made into necklaces,” Campbell said.
Campbell said the purpose of the sleepovers — to get people excited about science — has remained fairly constant throughout its existence.
“We wanted to provide a place where multi-ages could come together and get excited about science and ignite some curiosity about the natural world have a memorable time with their family. We do them about every three months. Our next one is January 24,” Campbell said.
The 40 attendees at this week-end’s sleepover is on the lower end of how many people generally attend.
“We generally have about 40 to 70 each time and it costs $50 per person,” Campbell said.
While five sleepovers have happened at the new building, the program itself is not new.
“We did it a couple times at the old building. But those were totally the different, the space was so much smaller,” Campbell said.
Families came from California and Idaho to get a taste of the museum at night.
“We wanted to provide a place where multi-ages could come together and get excited about science and ignite some curiosity about the natural world have a memorable time with their family. We do them about every three months. Our next one is January 24,” Campbell said.
The 40 attendees at this week-end’s sleepover is on the lower end of how many people generally attend.
“We generally have about 40 to 70 each time and it costs $50 per person,” Campbell said.
While five sleepovers have happened at the new building, the program itself is not new.
“We did it a couple times at the old building. But those were totally the different, the space was so much smaller,” Campbell said.
Families came from California and Idaho to get a taste of the museum at night.
“We came a year ago it was so much fun we came back to town for another round. We come every time we come to town. The kids get to stay here its fun,” said Becky Wildman, a U alumna from Twin Falls, Idaho.
The sleepover is also a birthday destination for children.
“We came here last year for my son’s birthday and he had so much fun that he wanted to come back again for his birthday this year,” said Angela Gupta, who is from Irvine, Calif.
The sleepover is also a birthday destination for children.
“We came here last year for my son’s birthday and he had so much fun that he wanted to come back again for his birthday this year,” said Angela Gupta, who is from Irvine, Calif.
Devin Gupta celebrated his 10th birthday at the museum.
“It was very nice last year, it’s a great program. I love doing this. My favorite thing was making the robots,” Devin said.
Devin said he would return next year for his 11th birthday.
[email protected]
“It was very nice last year, it’s a great program. I love doing this. My favorite thing was making the robots,” Devin said.
Devin said he would return next year for his 11th birthday.
[email protected]