Amp up your Saturday at Discovery Park of America on STEAM Saturday! Focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, education specialists will be set up throughout Discovery Park with different learning stations!

STEAM Saturdays are the perfect chance to delve into more educational classes and experiences in the West Tennessee and Southwest Kentucky areas. Guests from Jackson, Dyersburg, Memphis, Nashville, Paducah, Murray and even northeastern Arkansas can all enjoy a great day of learning and fun at Discovery Park of America.

Celebration of World Pollinator Week at Discovery Park of America

Events are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 25, 2022.

The following presentations will begin in the Regional History Gallery on the entry level of the Discovery Center:

10:30 – Pollinator Tour
Russell Orr, Discovery Park science specialist, will lead a pollinator tour around Heritage Park. This activity will require some walking along wheelchair and stroller-friendly paths.

11:15 – Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Tara Dowdy, West Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge ranger, will lead children and parents through the life cycle of a butterfly. This interactive activity promises to be fun for the whole family.

12:00 – Birds as Pollinators
Dr. Dawn Wilkins, the University of Tennessee at Martin ornithologist, will lead an interactive presentation highlighting the pivotal role birds play in pollinating plants and in dispersing seeds.

1:00 – Bats as Pollinators
Dr. Nancy Buschhaus, the University of Tennessee at Martin mammalogist, will explore the role bats play in pollination while helping us better understand the only mammal capable of true flight.

2:00 – The Bees of Discovery Park
Stephen Penick, Discovery Park beekeeper and member of the Northwest Tennessee Beekeepers Association will explain the work he has done in bringing bees to the park.

3:00 – The Importance of Pollinators on Native American Culture
Zach Rea, Discovery Park history specialist, will delve into the important role pollinators play in the culture of our country’s first residents.

3:30 – Pollinator Storytime
Katie Parr, Martin Public Library director, will lead a reading of The Bumble Bee Queen. This book, written by April Pulley Sayre, is perfect for all future beekeepers.

4:00 – Butterfly Release
The special events of the day will culminate with a symbolic release of 2 dozen monarch and painted lady butterflies.

In addition to formal presentations, the following groups will have displays, products, activities and information related to pollinators and pollination. These will be set up in the Art Hall on the lower level of the Discovery Center.

• Dyer County 4-H
• Northwest Tennessee Beekeepers Association
• Northwest Tennessee Master Gardeners
• PBS Kids
• Discovery Park of America Wildlife Department

Also, don’t miss visits from Buzzy Bee the world’s friendliest bee, and take a drive by the park after the sun goes down to
see Cooper Tower lit up in orange and yellow, the colors of World Pollinator Week. All these activities are free with the
cost of admission. Please join us for a fun day as we celebrate the pollinators that bring so much color into our lives.

Presentations may be moved to the Reelfoot Room if extra space is needed.

Free with your membership or park admission. Not a member? Join today!

Also, be sure to follow us for more information on Discovery Park of America’s Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram.

The mission of Discovery Park of America is to inspire children and adults to see beyond. Discovery Park of America is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations including its founder, the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation.