Millions of years ago South Australia was an underwater breeding ground for ancient animals just like this baby plesiosaur (pictured above). Learn how their fossilised skeletons became preserved forever in opal.
Go to the South Australian Museum to explore the full line-up of School Holiday Programs available this October 6 – 9, 2015.
The Science of Opals: Experimental workshop 6 – 9 October
10:45 am, 11:30 am, 12:45 am and 1:30 am
Limited spaces – workshops are free but booking is required
Please meet in the main foyer
Armoury Gallery
Suited ages: 5+ years
Ever wondered how opals are formed? Or how fossils become opalised? This fun and experimental workshop will explore the amazing geological history of our national gemstone through a series of hands-on activities. Join Erinn to create an iridescent card, watch crystals grow before your eyes and make a wax fossil to take home.
Book The Science of Opals -Tues 6 Oct
Book The Science of Opals – Wed 7 Oct
Book The Science of Opals – Thurs 8 Oct
Book The Science of Opals – Fri 9 Oct
Vacation care groups 6 – 9 October
10:00 am until 10:30 am
Cost $8 per person
Suited ages: 5+ years
Limited spaces – booking required*
Minimum booking of 20 to 30 children
For vacation care groups wanting to visit the museum, this hands-on 30 minute session is the perfect way to learn how opals are formed. Kids will get to create an iridescent card, watch crystals grow before their eyes and run some experiments with pH levels to discover what sort of opals could form in different environments.
*Please contact kristy.tucker@samuseum.sa.gov.au to make a group booking.
Noodling for Opals 6 – 9 October
10:00 until 2:00
Drop-in session (Limited spaces)
Main front lawn
Suited ages: 5+ years
Gem fossicking is a wonderful and exciting way to introduce children to the wonders of geology and the term used when hunting for opals is ‘noodling’. Get your hands dirty as you go noodling for opal pieces in our potch pits, then clean your finds at the washing station to see if you can reveal any flecks of colour, before labelling your outback treasure to take home.
Young Explorers 6 and 9 October
10:15 am – 10:45 am and 11:00 am – 11:30 am
Limited spaces – booking essential
Please meet in the main foyer
Suited ages 3 – 5 years
Surrounded by the beautiful Opals gallery, children can come and explore the treasures buried in the outback – opals!
Book Young Explorers – Tuesday 6 October
Book Young Explorers – Friday 9 October
Discovery sessions 6 – 9 October
Drop-in session (limited spaces)
11am
Museum main foyer
Suited ages 7+
Did you know that opals were first found in Coober Pedy by a teenage boy? Join us to hear the story of Willie Hutchison’s amazing discovery and then hear from Museum scientists and researchers about some of their own interesting and unexpected discoveries.
Torchlight Tours with Professor Flint 6 – 8 October
“What lies beneath: Awesome stories from the world of opals”
Cost $15 per person
Limited spaces – booking required
Suited ages: 5+ years
Opals are some of the most beautiful gem stones in the world, with about 80% of the world’s opals found right here in South Australia. Join Professor Flint on a fascinating torchlight journey through the Opals exhibition. Along the way, you’ll see some of the most beautiful and colourful opals in the world and learn about the amazing stories that dwell within these extraordinary rocks. In what’s sure to be the Prof’s most delightful series of torchlight tales yet, join us to discover what lies beneath the beauty of opals.
Please note: no torches required.
Book Torchlight Tours (Tue, Wed or Thurs)* – 6:00 – 6:45pm
Book Torchlight Tours (Tue, Wed or Thurs) – 7:00 – 7:45pm
Book Torchlight Tours (Tue, Wed or Thurs) – 8:00 – 8:45pm
*Select the date you wish to attend from the drop down menu on the bookings page.
The Opals exhibition – FREE self-guided activity trail 26 September – 11 October 2015
10am – 5pm
Exhibition entry fee applies
Cost Adult $17, Concession $12, Children (<16) $5, Family $35
Collect your FREE self-guided trail and journey through time to discover the South Australian story of how precise opals are formed. The trial will take you through the creation of opals, mining in Copper Pedy and look at some of the treasures in the Opals exhibition.
To find out more about the Opals Exhibition at the South Australian Museum have a look here.
For more information and all enquiries please visit the South Australian Museum website here.
What: South Australian Museum School Holiday Program
When: Tuesday 6 – Friday 9 October 2015
Where: South Australian Museum | North Terrace | Adelaide
Who: All ages (some activities have an age range – see above)
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
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