Optics for Birding
Date: Saturday, June 10th, 2023
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
This two hour presentation and demo will cover bird watching binoculars in detail, and introduce spotting scopes, bird cameras and accessories. Whether you are shopping for binoculars, wondering if a spotting scope would be worth the cost, or setting up your camera for wildlife photography, you should find the discussion and tips helpful.
Night Sky Photography | Audubon Meeting
Date: Tuesday, May 23rd
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
Cost: Free
Have you ever wanted to capture a picture of the beautiful night sky scene you are viewing?
You are invited to this presentation to learn how to get great night sky photos with your DSLR or mirrorless camera, or with your advanced smart phone!
Launch Event | Partnership with the Utah Department of Workforce Services
Date: Tuesday, May 9th
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
Cost: By Invitation Only
Hutchings Museum Institute, along with Governor Gary Herbert and Brandon Fugal will hold a launch event and announcement as an Authorized Training Partner of the Utah Department of Workforce Services.
NASA Webinar Series – 3-D Thursdays Series for Rural Educators
Date: Thursday, May 4th
Time: 6-7:00pm
Location: Virtual Meeting
Cost: Free
A Monthly webinar series that enhances rural teachers’ access to NASA recourses, networking, and professional development opportunities.
Free Movie Screening – Kumari A Father’s Dream
Date: April 28th, 2023
Time: 7pm
Location: IMAX Theatre @ Thanksgiving Point
Cost: Free
Deep in rural Nepal, a group of childhood friends from low-caste families have started a trekking guide social enterprise that has transformed their home community of Kumari.
Growing Beyond Earth | NASA Citizen Science Project
Date: February – April 2023
Participants: Volunteer Middle and High School Students (aged 11-18)
Schedule & Location: Weekly Sessions at Hutchings Museum Institute
Growing Beyond Earth®, a partnership between Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and NASA, is a citizen science project designed to advance NASA research on growing plants in space. Similar to how plants are grown in the Veggie™️ on the International Space Station, participating students will receive all materials necessary in order to conduct experimental trials, collect data on different crop types and growing techniques, and report these data in a dedicated online portal. The compiled data are accessed by NASA scientists, and plants and methods that succeed in Growing Beyond Earth projects are then tested at Kennedy Space Center. This program provides a steady stream of valuable data to NASA scientists who are developing technologies for growing food crops for long-duration missions into deep space.
Utah Women Making History
Date: March 8 | 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Location: Utah State Capitol Building | 350 State Street, SLC
The Hutchings Museum Institute visited the Utah State Capitol and celebrated International Women’s Day with speakers, activities, and prizes highlighting Utah women who’ve made history. Students and lifelong learners of any age joined us. Be sure to stop by the Hutchings Museum Institute in Lehi to learn more about women making history in Utah!
Artemis I Launch Party
Date: August 29 | 6 – 8 pm
Location: Evermore Park
We celebrated the Artemis Mission on the evening of the first attempted launch of Artemis I, featuring booths, swag and the opportunity to interact with historical figures in Space Exploration, such as Galileo, James Webb, Krista McCullough and Neil Armstrong.
Sound in the Future of Space Sciences with Wanda Díaz-Merced
Date: September 1 | 12 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
Dr. Wanda Díaz-Merced presented the sonification of astronomical data and addressed how it can be used to increase our understanding of the Universe and make science more accessible.
Promoting Astronaut Autonomy in Human Spaceflight Missions with Jessica Marquez
Date: August 2 | 12 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
Jessica Marquez, Space Human Factors Engineer at NASA, discussed the future of Human Spaceflight and capabilities necessary to enable science-driven exploration, so that future astronauts and mission controllers will have the tools to operate autonomously.
JWST: NASA’s Greatest Observatory and its Great Science! with Tom Greene
Date: August 2 | 12 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) launched in December 2021 and has arrived at its final destination, about 1 million miles from Earth. Now that the first full-color images have been shared, what new discoveries can we expect? On August 2, Tom Greene – astrophysicist at NASA’s Ames Research Center – talked about how the telescope works, its ambitious scientific endeavors, and how it will change how we think about the universe.
Blimps to B-17s: The NACA and the World Wars with Lance “The History Guy” Geiger
Date: July 27 | 12 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
Historian Lance Geiger, better known as “the History Guy” on YouTube, told the story of a little remembered agency (NACA) that had a large impact on history, and whose mission continues with the ongoing work that NASA still does in the development of aeronautical science and technology.
Everything You Wanted to Know About HelioSwarm But Were Afraid to Ask with Harlan Spence
Date: July 21 | 12 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
Dr Harlan Spence discussed HelioSwarm, how it will send two new missions to the Sun to better understand our host star, and how to protect astronauts and satellites from solar storms.
Webb Telescope’s First Images Celebration
Date: Saturday, July 16
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
Selected by NASA to be an official host of the release of Webb Space Telescope’s first images, we celebrated this generational moment in our exploration of the universe with the community, learned about the images from a panel of NASA experts, and heard from Dr. Joshua Lothringer, professor of physics and NASA scientist, discuss his upcoming Webb Telescope projects.
Modeling Entry Systems to Explore Our Solar System with Michael Barnhardt
Date: July 14 | 12 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
Since the dawn of the Space Age, engineers have relied on modeling and simulation to inform design decisions. NASA’s Entry Systems Modeling (ESM) Project serves as the Agency’s only concerted effort toward advancing entry systems across a range of technical disciplines. For this NASA Summer Session, Michael Barnhart discussed recent developments in exploring our solar system.
Point of the Mountain & Utah Valley Chambers Luncheon featuring Local Author Kenneth Evans
Date: July 12 | 11 am
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
Point of the Mountain & Utah Valley Chambers of Commerce presented a luncheon featuring local author Kenneth Evans on his memoir about his father, Donald Evans. Missing: A World War II Story of Love, Friendships, Courage, and Survival gives an extraordinary account of WWII, detailing capture by Nazi SS Troops, a 200-mile forced march, near starvation, and internment in a German POW camp.
BioSentinel: NASA’s First Biological Mission Beyond the Earth-Moon System with Sergio Santa Maria
Date: June 29 | 12 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
The BioSentinel CubeSat spacecraft will launch as a payload aboard the Space Launch System’s first exploration mission, Artemis-1. Its goal is to autonomously study the effects of unmitigated deep space radiation on a model organism, the budding yeast S. cerevisiae. This will give us insight into one of the hazards of space. Dr. Sergio Santa Maria, BioSentinel’s lead scientist, discussed the mission’s development and its science objectives.
Supersonics: QuessT Mission and X-59 Aircraft with David Richwine
Date: June 23 | 12 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
One of the strategic thrusts for NASA’s Aeronautics vision in the 21st century is the Innovation in Commercial Supersonic Aircraft – where sonic boom noise and current overland flight prohibitions remain as the primary barrier to successful supersonic commercial aircraft. David Richwine presented insight into these obstacles, describe the basic physics of sonic boom formation and propagation, and highlight the dominate features of a supersonic low-boom demonstrator aircraft.
On the Co-Evolution of the Geosphere and Biosphere: A Mineral Evolution Perspective with Robert Hazen
Date: June 21 | 12 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
Life and its environment are inextricably linked. The Earth’s chemical and physical composition drives the evolution of life, and in turn, life changes our planet. Studying the physical records resulting from these interactions informs Earth, life, and planetary science models. This session was presented by Dr. Robert Hazen about our planet and its interaction with life.
Lehi Round-Up Week Celebration
Dates: June 20 – 22
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
We celebrated Lehi Round-up Week at Hutchings Museum Institute with hands-on activities, crafts and live animal shows with Ben Woodruff.
City Nature Challenge 2022 | Utah Lake BioBlitz
Dates: April 29 – May 2
Location: All around Utah Lake
We invited the community to participate in this year’s City Nature Challenge and to contribute to scientific data by documenting and identifying plants & wildlife around Utah Lake using the iNaturalist app. Every observation makes an impact!
Earth Day 2022 | Utah Lake Habitat Restoration
Date: April 30
Time: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Utah Lake Field Station
Celebrating a belated Earth Day at our Utah Lake Field Station, the community volunteered to help plant native pollinating wildflowers that are suitable for Utah’s dry climate and learned about what native flowers you can plant in your yard to help pollinators and reduce water use in the garden.
Noah Strycker presents Birding Without Borders: An Epic World Big Year
Date: April 25, 2022
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Provo City Library at Academy Square
In 2015, Noah Strycker became the first person to observe more than half of the planet’s bird species in a single, year-long, birding trip to seven continents. Carrying only a pack on his back, Strycker enlisted the support of local birders to tick more than 6,000 species. Strycker shared his inspiring story and humorous anecdotes, prompting a new appreciation for birds and birders of the world.
Emilie and Oskar Schindler Private Collection and Presentation
Date: April 9, 2022
Time: 7 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
Presenter Reid Moon shared new insights, lesser-known histories, and other stories from the Holocaust gleaned from his rare collection of photographs, letters, and personal items of Emilie and Oskar Schindler. A selection of artifacts from the collection were on display including Emilie Schindler’s passport, her copy of Schindler’s List, and Oskar’s pocket watch.
Live National Geographic Explorer Tara Roberts | Into The Depths
Date: March 10, 2022
Time: 12 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
We met Explorer Tara Roberts, a storyteller on a mission to find, document, and share the stories of the wrecked ships that transported captive Africans across the Atlantic Ocean for the slave trade. As a featured onscreen classroom, we engaged with Tara Roberts one-on-one before, during, and after the livestream classroom.
Utah Black History Museum’s First Birthday Celebration
Date: February 26, 2022
Time: 1 – 4 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
In honor of Black History Month and the Utah Black History Museum’s first birthday, Hutchings Museum Institute hosted a celebration featuring the beautifully painted, one-of-a-kind mobile school bus exhibit, cake, balloons, and new artifacts.
Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches | Premiere Screening
Date: February 25, 2022
Time: 6 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
In honor of Black History Month we hosted a premiere screening of Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches. This HBO documentary brings to life the words of our country’s most famous anti-slavery activist. Actors Nicole Beharie, Colman Domingo, Jonathan Majors, Denzel Whitaker and Jeffrey Wright draw from five of Douglass’ legendary speeches, to represent a different moment in the tumultuous history of 19th century America as well as a different stage of Douglass’ long and celebrated life.
Live National Geographic Explorer Lehua Kamalu | Traditional Polynesian Voyaging
Date: February 24, 2022
Time: 12 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
We met Explorer Lehua Kamalu and learned about the ocean, the stars, and what it takes to cross the ocean from Hawaii to California on a historic Polynesian voyaging canoe. As a featured onscreen classroom, we engaged with Lehua one-on-one before, during, and after the livestream classroom.
Great Backyard Bird Count
Date: February 19, 2022
Time: 1 pm
Location: Utah Lake Field Station
We participated in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count and watched, learned about, counted, and celebrated birds. Our observations will contribute to data used by professionals for science and conservation. We were also joined by master falconer Ben Woodruff for a presentation about bird rehabilitation and habitat restoration.
Utah Lake: Through The Eyes of Jeff Beck
Date: January 8, 2022
Time: 7 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
We hosted the unveiling of a new exhibit, Utah Lake: Through the Eyes of Jeff Beck. Jeff was on site to meet and greet guests amongst a gallery of prints featuring photographs from his 2022 nature calendars. The 10 signed first-edition prints on display were sold that night via silent auction. All proceeds were donated to the Utah Lake conservation efforts of the Hutchings Museum Institute.
Webb Telescope Launch Celebration
Date: January 7, 2022
Time: 6 pm
Location: Megaplex Theaters at Thanksgiving Point
Launched on December 25, 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope is the largest, most powerful and complex telescope ever launched into space. For this free launch celebration, we learned how the telescope will transform our understanding of the universe. Featuring a presentation by Webb Telescope expert Joshua Lothringer, launch footage, swag giveaways and an official #WebbEvents photo booth!
New Technologies for Native American Cultural Preservation
Date: November 19, 2021
Time: 1 pm
Location: Megaplex Theaters at Thanksgiving Point
Screening of documentary film “What Was Ours” followed by exploration of emerging technologies for cultural preservation including Lidar, Photo Restoration, Document Recovery and Access and Virtual Reality. Special presentations by Daniela Larsen and Larry Cesspooch. Exclusive hoop dancing performance by Patrick Willie.
Why We Wear The Poppy To Remember WWI
Date: November 8, 2021
Time: 7 pm
Location: Hutchings Museum Institute
For this special presentation, we explored the history behind the poppy as a symbol of remembrance for World War I. Attendees received a free poppy pin and postcard. We also learned about Emelia Katharine Lumpert and Mary Marshall, Utah’s own “Hello Girls”, and how to help them get posthumously recognized with a Congressional Gold Medal.
Mayors’ Monarch Pledge Butterfly Release
Date: October 16, 2021
Time: 2 pm
Location: Utah Lake in Vineyard
We celebrated the mayoral initiatives to restore the monarch habitat on Utah Lake with a butterfly release hosted by Mark Johnson (Lehi City), Julie Fullmer (Vineyard City), and Hutchings Museum Institute.
National Day of Service | Monarch Habitat Restoration
Date: September 11, 2021
Time: 9 am and 6 pm
Location: Willow Park, Lehi
In honor of September 11 – National Day of Service, we hosted two opportunities for the community to help restore and maintain the monarch habitat and at Willow Park in Lehi. Over 150 people participated in clearing weeds, tilling soil and planting milkweed seeds in the park alongside the Jordan River and celebrated with butterfly release.