October 11-19, 2019
Friday & Saturday 4:30-8:30 pm
SPOOKY SCIENCE
Family-friendly fun education about nature!
What a perfect time of year to celebrate and educate about the natural world! Come mix up your own science experiments including glow-in-the-dark slime, take a hay ride, dig up bones, watch an exciting science show, and get up-close with reptiles and woodland animals!
Spooky Science is about teaching people in a fun and creative environment about all the things in nature that can "spook or creep" you out, like spiders, snakes, and bats.
Through dozens of hands-on interactive activity stations, we explain the mysteries of nature and dispel fear with knowledge and understanding. Celebrate the fall season in a fun and unique way by bringing the whole family to Spooky Science at Beech Creek Gardens!
Spooky Science
Admission
Non-Members $8
Members $6
Children ages Free
2 & younger
(ages 3 & older)
We accept cash, credit card, and check.
Due to our transaction fees, there is a $10 minimum to use a credit card.
Parking is in the field off Beech St NE, just a short distance west of our entrance. There will be a free shuttle service from the field to Beech Creek Gardens. Click here to view a map of visitor parking procedures.
Spooky Science is NOT about Halloween.
"Our goal is to offer opportunities for families to explore, experience, enjoy, and learn about nature in a fun and creative way."
~ Melinda Carmichael
Executive Director of Beech Creek Gardens
Activity Stations
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Bone Digging
Try your skill at digging for bones! Do you know which animal the bone belongs to? Do you know what type of bone you’ve found?
By Huston-Brumbaugh Nature Center & the University of Mount Union
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Astronomy Exploration
Come inside our bigger & better Star Lab (portable planetarium) and prepare to learn about the night sky. This display of our solar system is interactive, innovative and immerses you in learning.
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Reptiles & Woodland Animals
Visit this display to learn just how beneficial these animals are to our world. Live animals, animal artifacts, and fun activities for children of all ages!
By Malone University
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Discovery Forest
Stroll down the woodland path, listen and learn about nocturnal animals native to the state of Ohio.
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Bubble-ology
Do you know what bubbles really are? Can you blow a bubble? Do you know that other things in nature can create bubbles too?
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Matter is Molecules & Molecules Matter
Everything around us is made of molecules too small to perceive with the naked eye. Explore this marvelous unseen world with hands-on activities and displays.
By Kent State University & Professor Diane Stroup
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Slime Science
Become a scientist yourself while you mix up your own experiments! Learn about molecules, polymers and chains while making up a batch of ooey-gooey slime!
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Spiders, Spiders Everywhere
Can you find all the spiders big & small hiding along the path to Glow-Mania and other activity stations?
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Cider Pressing
Try your skill at extracting juice from an apple the old fashioned way. Free sweet samples!
Apples donated by Arrowhead Orchards in Paris, OH
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Boo It's Blood!
What makes up our blood? Red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells, and plasma. Blood isn’t scary! Come place your hands in our container of "blood"! Learn about blood types and why it is important to donate blood.
By Walsh University Sigma Zeta
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Wonderful World of Worms
They are slimy, squishy, wriggly and live under our feet, but what is a earthworms worth to us? Learn this and more while exploring inside our giant earthworm!
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Fear Factor Challenges
Would you hold a hissing cockroach or dare to eat a cricket? Test your courage and conquer your fears with these fun challenges & more!
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Creepy Critters
Lizards, snakes and spiders... Oh my! Interact directly with these unique creatures while learning more about them.
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Craft Cave
Stop in and have fun creating a unique project to take home!
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Un-Bee-lievable Honey Bees
A honey bee colony consist of different types of bees, with each playing an important role in a bees life cycle. There are Worker bees, Drone bees, and the Queen. Can you locate each one?
By Stark County Beekeepers Association
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Lost Gold Mine
Become a Gold Digger and learn about “placer mining”. Gold was first found mixed with gravel in streams and stream beds. Pan for gold and discover the history of how gold was found.
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Hay Wagon Rides
Depart every 15 minutes and travel you through eye science with stops at the Nature Playground where you can get off and find many more activity stations and the Whiz Bang Science show.
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Bug Boogie
Channel your inner insect and show your moves! Throw on your imagination cap to hop, skate, crawl, “fly”, and burrow like a few of our favorite insects.
By Kent State Stark
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Dancing Spider Races
Use your creativity and your competitive spirit for this hands-on science experiment.
By Alliance Family YMCA
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Dia de Los Muertos
Also known as "Day of the Dead" it is a Mexican holiday where people gather to pray for and remember friends & family who have died. Mexicans view it not as a day of sadness, but as a day of celebration because their loved ones awake and celebrate with them.
Special Presentations
Occur on select days at 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm and last 20-30 minutes.
October 11 & 12
Cool Critters
Get up-close and learn important and fun facts about wildlife native to Ohio. The Malone students and professors are engaging, educational and entertaining!
By Malone University & Clover Field Wildlife Center
October 18
Eyes on Owls
Join Stark Parks wildlife rehabilitation experts to learn about our native Ohio owls. Experience these amazing and unique creatures up-close as they teach all about them.
By Stark Parks
October 19
Raptors Up Close
Exciting, interactive & educational! Raptors are one of the most intriguing and misunderstood bird families. Enjoy learning while being up-close and entertained by these awesome birds of prey.
By Raptor Hallow Sanctuary
Every Night
Whiz Bang Science!
with Dr. Dave
Watch in awe as Dr. Dave performs crazy science experiments that will have you laughing & learning during this action-packed show! With magical potions, explosions & lots of humor, this show will be sure to amaze, entertain & educate!
By Dr. David Lohnes
Professor at the College of Wooster
The Whiz Bang Science Show occurs every night of Spooky Science at 5:30 pm & 7:30 pm. The presentation lasts 30 minutes.
Helpful Info
Parking Procedures
Please park in the field off Beech St NE, just a short distance west of our entrance. There will be a free shuttle service from the field to Beech Creek Gardens. Click here to view a map of visitor parking procedures.
"Open House" Type Venue
Come anytime between 4:30-8:30 pm and stay as long as you like. Most families spend an average of 2+ hours exploring all the activity stations.
Food Available at Reasonable Prices
We will have food and drinks available for purchase at family-friendly prices. The selection includes hot dogs and hot sandwiches, popcorn and chips, baked goods, spiced apple cider, soda, and water, and more.
By the Washington Ruritans
Printable Flyer with Details ~ View as PDF
"We want children & adults to learn about the things in nature that scare them, so that they care about helping to preserve those things & learn how to respect them."
~ Melinda Carmichael
Executive Director of Beech Creek Gardens
Sponsors
Tom & Suzy Moushey
Mike Fagan Roofing
Collaborations
Other Support
Spooky Science Volunteer Opportunities
We have many volunteer opportunities available for Spooky Science, both before the event and during the event for people with a variety of interests. Volunteering at Spooky Science is a lot of fun! You will get to interact with children and families, animals and nature, all in a lively seasonal atmosphere! It's a very unique and different volunteer experience! If you are interested in any of the topics below, apply today to be a volunteer and we will contact you with positions that match your interests. Groups of volunteers are also welcome!
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Before the event: Interested in outdoor grounds preparation, set building, construction, lighting, creativity, arts
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During the event: Interested in theater, night hikes, astronomy, biology, animals, music, childhood education
To be a Spooky Science volunteer, you must attend a 1-hour orientation on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 from 5:30-6:30 pm.
Please note, if you are interested in volunteering during the event, you are not required to participate all four days. We would love it if you could do all four days, but we understand people have other commitments. We would be thankful if you could volunteer for just one weekend or even just one day.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Beech Creek Gardens at (330) 829-7050 or info@beechcreekgardens.org.
A Huge Thanks to everyone who helps make this event happen!
To our weekly crew of volunteers (you know who you are) for spending weeks getting the grounds prepared, Our Spooky Science Committee, the University of Mount Union Nature Center, Washington Township Ruritans, Walsh University biology students, Kent State University Students, Kent State Stark professor and students, Malone University, and the University of Mount Union Physics Department. And all the great volunteers each night.