2025 Kayak Camp Report

This summer, the Bean Museum tried something new. Armed with a brand new flotilla of kayaks, we were excited to host the first ever Kayak Camp! In this exciting new summer camp, participants got to have a hands-on experience learning about wetlands and the wonderful creatures that live there.

On the first day of camp, we spent the morning at the museum, learning all about wetlands in preparation for our expedition. The campers learned about the unique history of the Provo River Delta, invented a new wetland organism with a unique life cycle, and even got to try their hand at building beaver dams. After lunch, armed with all this new information, we headed to the Delta to get out on the water for the first time. Whether or not they’d kayaked before, by the end of the day everyone was feeling confident on the water and ready for the adventures of day 2!

The second day of camp we spent the whole day out at the Provo River Delta. For half of the day, campers explored the Delta on foot. We used binoculars to spot birds like red-tailed hawks, ibises, ducklings, and many more. We also climbed a lookout tower, wrote in field journals, and went on a treasure hunt. For the other half of the day, campers went on a special kayaking expedition to a secret island with a picnic table. We enjoyed snacks, and also enjoyed getting a close up look at a bald eagle nest and the beautiful bald eagles that live there. 

Bald Eagles

Osprey

Western Kingbird

By the end of Kayak Camp, participants knew about all kinds of new plants and animals, had a new confidence on the water, and a new determination to protect our wetland ecosystems.

Leah, museum educator

2025 Easter Family Night Report

Spring has sprung here at the Bean Life Science museum, and we had a great opportunity to celebrate life, new beginnings, springtime, and our Savior last Monday at our Easter Family Night.

Hundreds of museum guests, young and old, were able to enjoy activities throughout the museum. At our curiosity carts, guests could get up close and personal with animal specimens, and even play a game matching real eggs to the animals that laid them. Guests also had the opportunity to take photos at an Easter photo booth, and do a fun flower craft!

The highlight of the evening was the easter egg scavenger hunt. Using a bingo card, guests searched high and low throughout the museum for paper easter eggs with different patterns on them. By matching up the patterns, they could get a bingo, and earn a chance to spin the prize wheel for pencils, animal toys, and museum tote bags. We are so glad that so many people were able to enjoy Easter Family Night!

Leah, museum educator

2025 Murder Mystery Dinner Party

“Attention guests: as you may have noticed, there has been a death on the premises.”

“Can’t we ever have one semester without a murder in this place?”

… Apparently not. At the Bean Museum’s 1920’s themed Murder Mystery Dinner Night this semester, the renowned singer, Mary Swan, was poisoned as she took the stage at the end of a delightful dinner. Through a sequence of tasks, riddles, interrogation, and evasion, teams of guests sought to convict the correct culprit. 

As they raced to solve the case, guests encountered the themed characters of Doctor Lily Leeches, bartender Jack “the Fix” O’Hare, flapper Frances Fox, oil tycoon Buck Pinchpenny, chauffeur Willie “the Wheel” Weaselton, Mary’s agent and personal assistant Ruby Rottweiler, Mary’s jealous sister Wanda Swan, and the duo of detectives.

In addition to riddles obtained from each of the characters, tasks involved mathematical logic puzzles, microscopes, unkeyed maps, ciphers, monochrome jigsaw puzzles, braille, and even buckets full of ping pong balls. You simply had to be there.

The thrilling rush of teamwork and competition- not to mention mocktails, a catered dinner, and cake- we think it’s safe to say the evening was enjoyed by all. And we hope you look forward to joining us for next semester’s Mystery Dinner Night, too, because who knows what it might hold?

Suzy, museum educator

2025 Night at the Museums Report

Although no animals came to life, the museum definitely did during BYU's annual Night at the Museums event! On Friday, March 14, thousands of people attempted to visit all five of BYU's museums on campus, solving clues to earn a sticker from each museum in order to win the grand prize: a museum tote bag! While all the museums had fun activities that night, the Bean Life Science Museum surely was not one to miss.

Guests had so much fun as they not only searched for answers to their clues but also enjoyed the fun and educational activities scattered throughout the museum!

 

Curiosity carts lined the hallways, where guests learned fascinating facts about our bird specimens from educators and even got a chance to have hands-on experiences with some of them.

We had a photo booth with props that was an absolute delight for taking pictures with family and friends.

You're never too old for balloon animals, and our educators made plenty for guests of all ages. Even when they occasionally popped, our visitors still thought they were a blast!

Emma, museum educator

2025 Winter Trivia Night Report

On the  cold night of February 22nd, teams of life science enthusiasts gathered to battle for the title of winner and a grand prize at this semester’s Trivia Night! The theme was “Survival of the Weirdest," with questions about the earth’s strangest creatures. 

The event was sold out, making for a fun night with a full room! We even enjoyed the presence of BYU’s Daily Universe at the event. The questions ranged from strange names to some oddball survival strategies. Some answers astounded players and video proof of strange animal behaviors blew their minds. Even the most experienced trivia night players learned something new.

The kahoot round focused on pop-culture creatures, including movie creatures and mythological creatures. This speed round was enjoyed by all, but only one team could be crowned the victors. The winning team received bucket hats and bragging rights, and all teams enjoyed treats after the game ended.

Thus, we concluded one of the most popular events at the Bean with a flourish! Look for the Daily Universe’s special report on their website to see just how much fun we have at the Bean Life Science Museum’s Trivia Nights. And, be sure to keep an eye out for future Trivia Nights to secure your spot – you won’t want to miss it!

Emma, museum educator

2025 Darwin's Birthday Party Report

Saturday morning, and the Bean Life Science Museum was buzzing with visitors. The occasion? Charles Darwin’s birthday. One of history’s most esteemed naturalists, Darwin is famous for his theory of evolution by natural selection. And every year, the Bean Museum hosts a “birthday party” in his honor, complete with activities and treats.

This year, visitors could play minute-to-win-it games inspired by Darwin’s famed finches’ beaks, sit down for story time themed around Darwin and the Galapagos islands, take home their own button pin made in the classroom and relax with a bit of coloring, or stop by the Curiosity Cart to learn about different animal bones and teeth. This year’s Darwin Day celebration also featured a special video presentation on the Scopes “Monkey” Trial, to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the high-profile case.

By the end of the event, visitors were able to walk away with a greater appreciation for Charles Darwin, one of the people whose ideas have helped bring us to a greater understanding of our natural world and the processes by which it operates.

Sage, museum educator

2025 Winter Birding Report

A group picture of all who attended the experienceship

On Saturday, February 8th, 22 brave souls faced the cold and arrived before sunrise to join the Bean Museum in its Birding Nature Experienceship. Spotting species from vehicles and on foot, the group roamed River Road and the Provo River Delta in their search. 36 species were spotted and identified between the guest experts and many excited birders in attendance, and fun memories were made all around. We are grateful to Keeli Marvel from the Utah County Birders for joining us and being our expert guide.

A great blue heron basking in the sun.

More bird-watching on River Road

A congregation of birders at the Provo River Delta.

Participants using scopes on River Road

A Red-tailed hawk perusing its menu

Photo credit: Katy Knight Tasia Smith, museum educator

Here is the list of birds that we saw:

Canada goose (60) Gadwall (3) American wigeon (1) Northern pintail (3) Bufflehead (5) Common goldeneye (2) California quail (6) Ring-necked pheasant (1) Rock pigeon (feral pigeon) (40) Eurasian collared dove (2) American coot (10) Sandhill crane (8) Ring-billed gull (20) California gull (2) Pied-billed grebe (3) Great Blue heron (1) Northern harrier (1) Bald eagle (5) Red-tailed hawk (6) Northern flicker (3) American kestrel (3) Black-billed magpie (2) European starling (34) House sparrow (14) White-crowned sparrow (8) Yellow-headed blackbird (1) Western meadowlark (7) Red-winged blackbird (8) Brewer’s blackbird (4) Great-tailed grackle (18) Mallard (7) Ruddy duck (3) Sharp-shinned hawk (1) Say’s phoebe (1) Tree swallow (1) Song sparrow (3)