Maria Mitchell Association launches after-school, winter break programs

( Jan. 18, 2024 ) The Maria Mitchell Association will host an after-school program this winter and a full week of activities over February’s winter break.

The after-school program is a multi-week series of activities and is day specific with the option for multiple days per week that explores Nantucket Island after school. Each afternoon holds different activities, crafts and adventures. Tuesdays are a six-week series running Jan. 16, 23, 30 and Feb. 6, 13 and 20. Wednesdays are a four-week series running Jan. 17, 31, Feb. 7 and 21 (Jan. 24 and Feb. 14 are early-release days). Thursdays are a six-week series running Jan. 18 and 25, and Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22.

Participants will be picked up (with parental permission) from Nantucket Elementary School and Nantucket Intermediary School at 2:20 p.m., the Nantucket Lighthouse School at 2:30 p.m. and the Nantucket New School at 2:40 p.m. and depart for the MMA's Hinchman House Natural Science Museum or an outbound location. Pick up will be at 5 p.m. at the Natural Science Museum, 7 Milk St.

The registration page can be found at www.mariamitchell.org/

The MMA Winter Break Discovery program will take place the week of Feb. 26-March 1. Registration is per day, and the cost is $50 or the entire week can be purchased for $250. Participants should be dropped off at the MMA's Hinchman House Natural Science Museum at 8:50 a.m. and an MMA naturalist educator will guide participants on an outbound adventure, lead science activities and crafts each day. Pick up will be at 2 p.m. at the Natural Science Museum, 7 Milk St. Scholarships are available.

More information and the registration page can be found on the MMA web page.

The Maria Mitchell Association was founded in 1902 to preserve the legacy of Nantucket native astronomer, naturalist, librarian, and educator Maria Mitchell. After she discovered a comet in 1847, Mitchell’s international fame led to many achievements and awards, including an appointment as the first female professor of astronomy at Vassar College. Mitchell believed in “learning by doing.”

The Maria Mitchell Association operates two observatories, a natural science museum, an aquarium, a research center and preserves the historic birthplace of Maria Mitchell. A wide variety of science and history-related programming is offered throughout the year for people of all ages.