Every autumn a small north woods owl called the Saw-whet migrates south in a silent and secretive wave. The staff at Quarry Hill is among a small group of researchers trying to capture and band these birds in the eastern US in an effort to better understand their migration. The evening begins at the Nature Center learning about Quarry Hill’s research with the secretive Saw-whet Owl. Then participants will caravan a couple of miles east of town to visit the owl banding site. There, after a 10-minute uphill hike to the study site, we will check the nets and band any captured owls. Make sure to bring your flashlight! Hiking footwear is recommended for uneven trails. In the event of poor weather conditions, this program will be cancelled.

Enjoy what is left of nature's beauty before winter tightens its grip on southeastern Minnesota by searching for the wildflowers of fall. These floral denizens have much to offer in the way of beauty and variety that are unique to this season of the year. We will meet at Northrop for a brief slide presentation before driving to Essex Park for our outdoor trip. Cosponsored with Zumbro Valley Audubon Society. Rain date is Sun, Sep. 20th.

Join us as we look for planets outside of our solar system! We also examine the methods used to find them. We may even see an alien or two! Suggested ages 8 and up. Please enter through door #6 at Mayo High School.

Come view the night as it appears from rochesterschools, Minnesota. We will tour the constellations of this night, as well as learn tricks, tips, and secrets for following the stars all year long. Learn to travel, tell time, and follow the seasons using the stars. The Mayo High School Planetarium can also show us how the stars of rochesterschools compare to the stars from different locations on Earth. Come see what you’ve been missing every night! Suggested ages 8 and up.

Celebrate 60 years of the Mayo Planetarium! Opened in 1966, the Mayo Planetarium is marking its 60th anniversary with a special event you won’t want to miss. Join former planetarium directors, local leaders, and members of the community as they share stories, showcase demonstrations, and reflect on how the planetarium has evolved over the decades. After the program, enjoy a small social gathering—perfect for connecting with others who share a love of astronomy and local history. Have a story to share? If you or someone you know was inspired by the Mayo Planetarium, email bejoslin@rochesterschoolsschools.org. Suggested ages 8 and up. Please enter through door #6 at Mayo High School.

Have you ever been to Australia, South Africa, Chile, or Antarctica? If so, you may have noticed that the night sky is not the same as here in rochesterschools, MN! Come learn about the constellations and deep sky objects that you can only see in the skies of Earth’s southern hemisphere! Suggested ages 10 and up. Please enter through door #6 at Mayo High School.

Travel on the leading edge of discovery as we push the boundaries of humanity’s understanding and vision. We’ll start at Earth and visit distant worlds, exploring and learning all we can. Suggested ages 8 and up. Please enter through door #6 at Mayo High School.

Join us to get a head start on learning about gardening in the fall season! Olmsted County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and the rochesterschools Garden and Flower Club invite you to join them at the S.M.A.R.T. (Sustainable, Medicinal, Artistic, Resourceful, Therapeutic) Garden for perennial and annual seed saving and fall garden clean-up education. Learners will get a walking tour of the garden and have an opportunity to take home seeds at the end of the class. Potential seeds include, Eastern Bluestar (Amsonia tabernaemontana), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Stiff Goldenrod (Oligoneuron rigidum), New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), Blackberry Lily (Iris domestica), Pink Turtlehead (Chelone obliqua), Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea), False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Lance-Leaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), and Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum), among others. Provided by University of Minnesota Extension and Olmsted County Master Gardeners.

Curious about the trees on your wooded property, or simply interested in learning more about the trees around you? This class begins with a one-hour slide presentation at Northrop, introducing participants to common tree species and key identification features. Participants will then travel to Essex Park to apply their knowledge in the field, identifying a variety of trees in a natural setting. Cosponsored by the Zumbro Valley Audubon Society. Rain date is Sun, Sep. 27th.

Using an assortment of evergreens from native MN conifers, participants will learn to build a beautiful wreath that will last throughout the season. An assortment of ribbon and natural adornments provided by nature’s bounty—such as pine cones, berries, and feathers—can be added to make the wreath a holiday showpiece for you to hang in your home or gift to a friend! No experience needed. All supplies will be provided. A $25.00 supply fee will be collected at the beginning of the class. Cash or Check only.