2025 Winter Birding Report

A group picture of all who attended the experienceship

On Saturday, February 8th, 22 brave souls faced the cold and arrived before sunrise to join the Bean Museum in its Birding Nature Experienceship. Spotting species from vehicles and on foot, the group roamed River Road and the Provo River Delta in their search. 36 species were spotted and identified between the guest experts and many excited birders in attendance, and fun memories were made all around. We are grateful to Keeli Marvel from the Utah County Birders for joining us and being our expert guide.

A great blue heron basking in the sun.

More bird-watching on River Road

A congregation of birders at the Provo River Delta.

Participants using scopes on River Road

A Red-tailed hawk perusing its menu

Photo credit: Katy Knight Tasia Smith, museum educator

Here is the list of birds that we saw:

Canada goose (60) Gadwall (3) American wigeon (1) Northern pintail (3) Bufflehead (5) Common goldeneye (2) California quail (6) Ring-necked pheasant (1) Rock pigeon (feral pigeon) (40) Eurasian collared dove (2) American coot (10) Sandhill crane (8) Ring-billed gull (20) California gull (2) Pied-billed grebe (3) Great Blue heron (1) Northern harrier (1) Bald eagle (5) Red-tailed hawk (6) Northern flicker (3) American kestrel (3) Black-billed magpie (2) European starling (34) House sparrow (14) White-crowned sparrow (8) Yellow-headed blackbird (1) Western meadowlark (7) Red-winged blackbird (8) Brewer’s blackbird (4) Great-tailed grackle (18) Mallard (7) Ruddy duck (3) Sharp-shinned hawk (1) Say’s phoebe (1) Tree swallow (1) Song sparrow (3)  

 

2025 Winter Sketching Dead Things Report

Held on February 1, 2025, the Bean Life Science Museum hosted its second-ever Sketching Dead Things event, and it was a hit! Students of Brigham Young University were absolutely drawn to this event. Beginning with a simple introduction in the museum’s auditorium, the students were then sent out into the museum to brush up on their sketching skills. The main event was an hour and a half dedicated to sketching dead things available throughout the museum. One could say it was pretty sketchy business. 

The museum classroom was chalk-full of specimens that guests could touch and move around to get the perfect pose of their choice. A how-to-draw video, a creative ideas slideshow, and a sketching tips packet were also readily available for those who needed some art inspiration. 

The night ended with a gallery walk where guests could observe the draw-dropping sketches that artists worked paint-stankingly on throughout the night. Cookies were also provided at this time. 

The Bean Museum hopes that the guests will frame the memories of this night forever. Sketch you later!

Audrey Gordon, student educator

2024 Fall Trivia Night Report

On October 19 and November 16th, we had our popular trivia night here at the Bean Museum! Our October theme was centered around Halloween. Questions ranged from deadly decomposers to frightening fables and even included a horror movie trivia speed round! Participants sat next to specimens that they believed could scare the other teams. During this event, participants were shocked to learn about the grim truth of fungi and the romantic history behind bobbing for apples. The winners of this event won due to their knowledge of some of Hollywood's most iconic horror movies. They slashed out their competition and won some coveted Bean Museum bucket hats to prove it.   

November’s trivia night was a super event all about superpowers and superheroes! Participants were challenged with questions about real superpowers that both animals and plants possess and knowledge of their favorite superheroes. Everyone learned about exploding trees, and fruits, and the super strength of ants. Both of these events gave cookies to everyone as a consolation prize. Both of these events were completely sold out, and people were asking when the next event was going to be! Both of these nights were beyond exciting here at the Bean Museum.

Angie, museum educator

2024 Fall Mystery Dinner Party Report

Museum employees after a successful event.

On November 9, 2024, 61 unsuspecting guests arrived at the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum for a seemingly normal dinner party. However as dinner was winding down, a loud scream echoed through the building and they were soon informed that Mr. Bean had been murdered. An investigation was soon under way. 

After guests raced around the museum to solve riddles and interrogate suspects, it came to light that the murder was done in the dining room, with a hippo tusk, by none other than Colonel Mustard. He tried to make a break for it, but was quickly apprehended and arrested by the detectives present at the event. 

When asked why he committed the murder, he admitted to intense jealousy for Mr. Bean’s large collection of animals. The top three teams who solved the murder were rewarded and cake was served.

A couple solving Ms. Scarlet’s riddle.

A group solving Ms. Peacock’s riddle.

The culprit being arrested for his crimes.

Amy, museum educator

2024 Halloween Night Report

You’ve probably heard of Family Home Evening, but have you heard of Family Out Evening? At the Bean Life Science Museum, for Halloween Family Night? Held annually, this year’s event was once again a success.

The night’s activities featured creative balloon animal creations, story time, visiting with our live tarantulas, crafts, and collectable stamps to spin a wheel to win some neat prizes. 

Visitors could also help make a ‘potion’ in our elephant-foot-cauldron by selecting magic specimens from a wizard’s collection of potion ingredients, including newts and toads preserved in jars and bats and snake skins for extra ‘flavor.’

The highlight of the night may have been the Spooky Shows in our downstairs auditorium featuring halloween animal facts, howling along like wolves, lots of participation and laughter, and even a ‘missing’ live tarantula. 

It’s no hoax to say that both our museum educators and museum patrons all had a delightful, fun, and spooky evening!

Suzy, museum educator

2024 Fall Sketching Dead Things Report

On October 12th, 2024, the Bean Life Science Museum hosted their first ever drawing night, titled “Sketching Dead Things.” The night began with a brief introduction before the patrons were let loose to wander the Museum and sketch whatever specimens they would like. The educators provided helpful feedback and advice to those who asked for it and everyone had a great time. 

Throughout the event, guests had the opportunity to visit the classroom which had specimens on display from the education collection and a slideshow with simple sketching tips and ideas. The event ended with a gallery walk, where guests had the opportunity to show off what they sketched and to see what others drew as well. Many guests were very excited about the event and said they hope the Bean hosts another soon. 

Audrey Gordon, student educator

2024 Wild Edibles Report

A yellow flower in a landscaping bed. Red and blue berries on a hedge. Acorns fallen from the trees lining the campus sidewalks. These might just look like normal plants, but to participants in last Saturday’s Wild Edibles experienceship, they also look quite tasty! 

Led by foraging expert Tom Smith, our experienceship participants picked, gathered, tasted, cooked, ground, and sampled all kinds of food that you couldn’t find at a regular grocery store. After a brief introduction to the expansive field of foraging, our participants were led on a tour of campus, seeing familiar places through entirely new eyes. They learned what plants could be eaten fresh, what could be cooked into delicious sauces or jellies, and also which plants to avoid at all costs. They even collected their own bags of food to take home.

After the excursion, the team returned to the kitchen to sample some incredible dishes that Tom Smith had prepared. Acorn flour cookies, bread with Oregon grape jam, elderberry muffins, and homemade chocolate were all a huge hit, as well as a beef stew seasoned with juniper. Sage extract bubbled in a steam diffuser, and a casserole made of purslane baked in the oven. New tastes and smells were experienced by all, and participants had an unforgettable morning learning what wonderful things there are to eat all around us.

Photo credit: Ellie Lewis, Daily Universe

Leah, museum educator