Collect • Trade • Share • Discover

Two trading places are located in your neighborhood!

Based on the successful model of the Collectors' Corner at the Science Museum of Minnesota, the museum has opened two satellite Collectors' Corner Neighborhood Trading Places. These are part of a pilot program designed to reach new audiences, create community partnerships, and provide new science opportunities.

Neighborhood Locations

R.H. Stafford Branch Library
8595 Central Park Place
Woodbury, MN 55125
(651) 275-8500

Hours:

• Tuesdays from 4-7 p.m.
• Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Rice Street Branch Library
1011 Rice Street
St. Paul, MN 55117
(651) 558-2223

Hours:

• Wednesdays from 4-7 p.m.
• Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

How the Trading Place Works

At the Collectors' Corner Trading Place, kids of all ages can bring in natural objects and/or a journal entry, photograph, rubbings or drawings of the object, share what they know about the object with a staff person or a volunteer and earn points. The more the trader knows about the object, the more points they will earn. With the points, the trader will be able to trade for another item at the trading post or save the points for use at a later time.

Contact us at .

Family Resources

Activities

• Connect with Nature

  A list of 5 things you can do to help your child connect with nature.

• Nature Journal

  Print off pages for a nature journal to record your observations.

• Fossil Collecting

  A guide to collecting fossils in the Twin Cities by the Minnesota Geological Survey of the University of Minnesota.

• Discover Nature with your Family

  Tips for outdoor explorations, nature walks and exploring nature with your children.

• Together in Nature, Pathways to a Stronger, Closer Family

  Discussion of Family Bonding in Nature

Websites

• Nature-Watch

  Nature-Watch provides educational nature products and craft activity kits designed to teach children about nature.

• Nature Rocks

  Find the perfect outdoor activities to enjoy with your friends and family.

• Children & Nature Network

  A resource for families and teachers focused on connecting kids with nature.

• Salt the Sandbox

  Created by Eric Gyllenhaal—a web site for younger kids who are passionate about collecting to use together with their parents.

• Science Games for Kids

  A huge kid-friendly science-based resource of online games, projects, videos, and more.

• Peabody Mill Environmental Center

  Check out the science activities for kids—everything from catching snowflakes to making your first rock collection.

Phenology

• Warner Nature Center
• Minnesota Phenology Network
• National Phenology Network
• Journey North

Quarterly Nature Collections

Quarterly Nature Collections are featured throughout the year and provide a specific collecting focus for each season. Volunteers and collectors alike can use these resources to learn about various collectible objects.

Volunteer Resources

• Volunteer Training Manual
• Collection Tips/Laws
• Animal Tracks - T. Wilcox
• Corner News - Winter/Spring 2011
• Corner News - Summer/Fall 2011

Volunteers Needed

We need volunteers to staff this exciting program! For more information, visit www.smm.org/volunteer, call Heather at (651) 221-9453, or email her at .

Learn more about the Science Museum's Collectors' Corner here.