The Gillespie Museum will celebrate its 7th annual “Mostly Green Halloween,” a showcase of hands-on activities and experiments demonstrating some of the mysteries of the plant and animal world, on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. One of the museum’s monthly Science Saturdays, the event welcomes scientists of all ages.

The activities, designed by Stetson undergraduates, will encourage visitors to engage with wonders of the natural world. Students in the plant ecology class, taught by Cynthia Bennington, Ph.D., professor of Biology, have designed a range of outdoor activities to appeal to the curiosity of children about the natural world.

Visitors will have an opportunity to search for plants in a scavenger hunt, investigate the movement of seeds with a craft, feel the diverse shapes and textures of plant parts in the Mysterious Microscope chamber and explore natural shapes through an origami workshop.

“Professor Minerva McGonagall” of Harry Potter fame, will teach some chemistry basics in her Potions Lab, provided by the Stetson HATS (High Achieving Talented Students) Program. Students will also have the opportunity to make their own wands. Lynn Albinson, director of HATS reminds us that, “it is the wand that chooses the wizard.”

“Science Saturday events,” explains Bennington, “give Stetson students a chance to apply their knowledge and share their excitement about the natural world with college students of the future.”

Visitors will be welcome to explore the museum’s mineral collections and earth science displays, including some Halloween surprises in its Underground World, a fluorescent mine and darkened cave. Costumes are encouraged.

The event is open to the public and admission is free. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The Gillespie Museum is located on the southeast corner of Stetson’s DeLand campus, at 234 East Michigan Avenue. For more information: call: 386.822.7330, email: [email protected] or contact Museum Director Karen Cole, Ph.D., at [email protected].