GEMS WORKSHOPS

Upcoming Workshops 2026-27*

 

October 10th: Mary Anning - Paleontologist
Imagine making an impact on the science of paleontology at just 12 years old! Students will learn about one of history’s most influential fossil hunters, Mary Anning, and how her curiosity broke gender barriers and helped shape the paleontology field. Students will explore how fossils form, uncover artificial bones in a fossil dig, and discover ancient creatures like the ichthyosaur and plesiosaur. 

Animal Add on: Bearded Dragon

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November 14th: Beatrix Potter - Mycologist and Author

Beatrix Potter’s detailed mushroom illustrations and scientific curiosity shaped her art and understanding of nature. In this session, students will explore fungi through a hands-on mushroom dissection and then bring their imagination to life by creating a whimsical mushroom fairy garden while discovering how observation, creativity, and science work together.

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December 12th:  Eugenie Clark (The Shark Lady) - Ichthyologist 

Explore our oceans and the superpowers of shark. Students will learn about the adaptations of these amazing aquatic creatures and play an interactive food web game that encourages shark and ocean conservation. This session, inspired by The Shark Lady, Eugenie Clark, dives into real shark behaviors and current shark activity. Eugenie Clark’s groundbreaking research on sharks helped reveal their intelligence, curiosity, and complex behaviors.

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January 9th:  Jane Goodall- Primatologist & Anthropologist

Jane Goodall is a world‑renowned primatologist, conservationist, and humanitarian whose groundbreaking work with wild chimpanzees forever changed what we know about animals and ourselves. Through her research, Goodall revealed that chimpanzees make tools, form strong social bonds, and express emotions inspiring global conservation efforts. In this session, students will observe and record the behaviors of one of our ECSC ambassadors and learn about animal adaptations, like the use of tools by chimpanzees. 

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Animal Add on: Sugar Gliders 

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February 13th: Dr. Joan Murrell Owens -Marine Geologist

Students will dive into the work of Dr. Joan Murrell Owens, the first African American woman to earn a PhD in geology. Her research in button corals revealed the diversity of coral ecosystems. Students will use Ozobot Ari to identify different corals and discover how conservation helps protect these underwater habitats. 

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Animal Add on: Touch Tank 

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March 13th: Kiara Nirghin- Teen Conservationist 

This GEMS session is inspired by teen Google Science Fair winner Kiara Nirghin, the South African teen who invented a low-cost drought‑fighting, water‑absorbing material made from natural materials. By combining AI with sustainability, Kiara Nirghin continues to show how even young innovators can solve real world problems. Students will investigate absorption by using her polymer and test how it retains water compared to other polymers while learning that positive change can be created at any age. 

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April 10th: Sally Ride- Astronaut & Physicist

Sally Ride made history as the first American woman to travel to space, breaking barriers and inspiring generations to reach for the stars. In this session, students will meet the ECSC animal ambassador, Sally, named for Sally Ride, explore the writings of Sally Ride and Tam O'Shaughnessy, and connect to the night sky by making a constellation cube.

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Animal Add-on: Sally the Ball Python

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May 8th: Kelsey Pfendler- Conservationist 

Kelsey Pfendler recently made history by becoming the first American woman, the youngest woman, and the fastest person to row solo and unsupported across the Mid-Pacific from California to Hawaii all while advocating for whale conservation. GEMS will calculate Kelsey’s average speed, engineer their own ocean worthy boat hull, and test their creation in this interactive STEAM program. 

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​​*Workshop themes are subject to change depending on guest speakers. Stay tuned to this page for updates.