Orono Community Education

Invite budding naturalists to head outside for a walk to spot feathered friends - in the woods, a park, or right in their backyard. Backyard Explorer: Bird Watch leads kids through the basics of birding, from identifying common birds to learning about habitat and listening for bird songs. Includes activity ideas such as building a bird nest, matching games, and simple discovery about food chains/life cycle of birds. Build a wooden birdhouse, gelatin bird feeders and observe the wonders of the world outside with clipboard and working binoculars. Kit available to order through December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Can bubbles be different shapes? Why do bubbles pop? Head outside and get bubbling as you explore surface tension with hands-on science, 16 ounces of bubble solution and reusable bubble straws/connectors to make unlimited 2D and 3D geometric wands. Then delight your bubble explorer with giant bubbles big enough to fit in! Kit available to order through December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Head outside and get the buzz on bugs! This kit is packed with educational prompts and activities to encourage junior naturalists to spot insects while on a walk in the woods, playing in a park, or searching right outside their front door. Interactive field guides help young seekers identify fliers, crawlers, and pollinators. Project ideas such as Weave a Web or Make a Bug Hotel, and cool bug facts, boost the insect intrigue. Includes a one-handed bug catcher with thumb operated trapping slider and 5x magnification, a perfect companion to catch the fastest specimens in a safe and humane way. Kit available to order through December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Explore the fascinating world of honey bees! This kit targets a deeper understanding and appreciation for these remarkable insects and their impact on our ecosystem. National Geographic Kids book with beautiful, engaging, and authentic photos, natural honeycomb, authentic bee pollen, and more support learning and captivate childrens’ intrigue. Kit available to order through December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Are you ready to get messy with some extreme chemistry experiments? Step into the science lab to solve our mystery challenges. Investigate polymers, density, chemical indicators and more to help solve the mysteries. This class is hands-on, so be sure to dress for a mess!

Teacher created, science experiment book promotes easy, hands-on scientific exploration with simple materials, planned, photographed and ready to bring into your home! Simply gather the materials from your cupboard and start experimenting! Kit available to order through December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Wow your scientist with the importance of soap & hand-washing through two eye catching experiments. Then make your own themed soap to encourage hand washing behavior! Hands-on, clean fun for the entire family during the day and at bathtime! Includes reusable molds. Perfect for back to school! Kit available to order through December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Wow your scientist with the importance of soap & hand-washing through two eye catching experiments. Then make your own themed soap to encourage hand washing behavior! Hands-on, clean fun for the entire family during the day and at bathtime! Includes reusable molds. Perfect for back to school! Kit available to order through December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Wow your scientist with the importance of soap & hand-washing through two eye catching experiments. Then make your own themed soap to encourage hand washing behavior! Hands-on, clean fun for the entire family during the day and at bathtime! Includes reusable molds. Perfect for back to school! Kit available to order through December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Harness the power of the sun to develop your one-of-a-kind STEM art! Use hand-treated, sun-sensitive papers that undergo a chemical change when exposed to sunlight. Images appear within minutes and are permanent with a quick rinse of water. Safe and easy to use. A great summer science or art project for the entire family. Kit available to order through December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Use a hammer and nails to build a working dragster race car complete with fiery decals and a racetrack for launching! Get outside and race all summer long. Kit features hammer, hardware, paint, paintbrush, precut quality wood pieces with predrilled holes, full-color step-by-step instructions for ease of assembly. Makes one dragster and launching track. Kit available to order through December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Who can get the highest score? Build a fun game to play all summer. The Marble Drop Kit features marble, hammer, hardware, paint, paintbrush, stickers, precut quality wood pieces with predrilled holes and full-color step-by-step instructions for ease of assembly. Makes one marble drop game. Kit available to order through December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

The Marshmallow Launcher is as fun to use as it is to build! Kit features hammer, hardware, paintbrush, paint, precut quality wood pieces with predrilled holes, full-color step-by-step instructions for ease of assembly. Once built, the fully functional launcher can be used all summer long. Makes one launcher. Kit available to order through December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.

Spin the propeller and watch it go! Build a racer that really moves with this interactive lesson in woodworking and physics. Construct and decorate the racer, then experiment to see what makes it go the farthest and fastest. The Propeller Racer features hammer, hardware, paint, paintbrush, stickers, precut quality wood pieces with predrilled holes, full-color step-by-step instructions for ease of assembly. Makes one propeller racer. Kit available to order through December 1. Kits will be available for pickup at Orono Community Education at Door E24 (705 N. Old Crystal Bay Rd.) beginning October 15. We will send an email reminder about pick-up dates and times.