Events at the Museum of Natural History in August 2019

11 July to 30 September - Focus: "Spiders - hunters on eight legs"

They hunt and kill silently, give us the creeps and are almost everywhere - we're talking about spiders! Hardly any other group of animals polarises more. Yet things would be bad for us humans if they didn't exist, because the world's spiders consume more meat than humans eat, namely up to 800 million tonnes of insects per year. Without them, we would probably suffocate in insects. Yet they themselves are not only hunters, but also hunted. Around 8000 animal species in the world feed exclusively on spiders.

With the event focus "Spiders - hunters on eight legs" from July to September 2019, the Museum für Naturkunde would like to honour these fascinating predators in a special way. During this unique period, a silk spider is allowed to freely build its large web in the insectarium. Visitors can not only get to know one of the largest spider species in the world, but also take part in spider feedings. And if you want, you can even pick up a large hairy tarantula yourself.

Tuesday, 6 August, 2 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Public spider feeding in the Insectarium

Meeting point: Museum of Natural History, museum ticket office
Admission: adults 5 euros, concessions 2.50 euros, children and young people up to 18 years free of charge

Tuesday, 6 August, 5 to 6 p.m.
Working group for nature-loving children aged 6 to 13.

Insights into the diversity of vertebrates
Location: Museum of Natural History | Museum Education Cabinet
You are allowed to give a three-minute presentation on a vertebrate of your choice.
Admission: free of charge, pre-registration required on 0371 488-4552 or zierold(at)naturkunde-chemnitz.de

Monday, 12 August, 2 to 3.30 p.m.
Otters - playful hunters (for individual visitors aged 5 and over)

Otters are nocturnal, which is why we humans rarely get to see them. Nevertheless, we want to follow in the footsteps of these playful contemporaries and find answers to the following questions: What are the otter's cohabitants? How is it adapted to its habitat? How can we protect them? We will design key rings to take home.
Admission is free for children and young people under the age of 18. There is a material cost of 1 euro per participant. The number of participants is limited to 20. Pre-registration on 0371 488-4555 or ehle(at)naturkunde-chemnitz.de is required.

8 July to 16 August - Summer holiday offer
Otters - playful hunters (for after-school groups)

Otters are nocturnal, which is why we humans rarely get to see them. Nevertheless, we want to follow in the footsteps of these playful contemporaries and find answers to the following questions: What are the otter's cohabitants? How is it adapted to its habitat? How can we protect them? We will design key rings to take home.
Admission is free for children and young people under the age of 18. There is a material fee of 1 euro per participant. The number of participants is limited to 25. Pre-registration on 0371 488-4555 or ehle(at)naturkunde-chemnitz.de is required.

Summer holiday programme on the excavation

Monday, 5 and 12 August, 10 a.m. each day
Fossil hunters

Location: Window into the history of the earth, Glockenstraße 16, 09130 Chemnitz

As a fossil hunter, you will explore the excavation and find out what is behind the term fossils, how they are formed and which animals and plants once lived on our earth.
The events are free of charge. Registration at 0371/27369367 or fenster(at)naturkunde-chemnitz.de is required.

The "Window into the Earth's History" project is funded by the ESF.

Wednesday, 7 and 14 August, 1 p.m. each day
Excavation helpers

Location: Window into the history of the earth, Glockenstraße 16, 09130 Chemnitz

As an excavation assistant, you will learn how an excavation works. You will be active yourself and search for fossils. You will then have the chance to document your finds professionally so that you can take them home with you.
The events are free of charge. Registrations from groups outside of the above dates are welcome. Registration at 0371/27369367 or fenster(at)naturkunde-chemnitz.de is required.
The "Window into Earth History" project is subsidised by the ESF.

Friday, 9 and 16 August, 1 p.m. each day
Taxidermist (from 6 years)

Location: Window into the history of the earth, Glockenstraße 16, 09130 Chemnitz

You will become a geological taxidermist. You can try out equipment yourself, work on fossils and gain an insight into an exciting professional field.
Registration at 0371/27369367 or fenster(at)naturkunde-chemnitz.de is required.
The "Window into the Earth's History" project is funded by the ESF.

June to September 2019
Insects - wild hustle and bustle in the meadow! (Group programme from 5 years)

Join the cheeky caterpillar Luise on an exciting discovery tour through the insectarium. Meet colourful butterflies, busy bees and strong ants. Find out what a beekeeper does and how an egg becomes a butterfly. You can make a candle out of beeswax to take home with you.
Admission is free for children and young people under the age of 18. There is a material charge of 2 euros per participant. Pre-registration on 0371 488-4555 or ehle(at)naturkunde-chemnitz.de is required.