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November 9, 2026
The Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) will continue providing opportunities for discovery, exploration, and hands-on learning to audiences across the Commonwealth and beyond, thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson, Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust.
The grant will support the museum's 2027 Science for All initiative, which brings science to life through an exciting lineup of high-impact festivals, special exhibits, and engaging educational experiences. Designed to spark curiosity and inspire a deeper appreciation for the natural world, these programs connect visitors of all ages with science in memorable and meaningful ways.
Throughout 2027, Science for All will support a diverse slate of museum experiences, including:
Wonders of Waterfowl
From familiar backyard ducks to majestic swans and geese, waterfowl have captured the human imagination for centuries. Making its VMNH debut on January 16, 2027, this original special exhibit explores human fascination with ducks, geese, and swans, and examines the deep connections they create among us. The museum's vast array of taxidermy will be featured throughout the exhibit, accompanied by historical artifacts, works of art, and modern conservation tools.
Science Saturday: Bug Day
The museum's recent invertebrate collection is the largest in the Commonwealth and contains some of the most important specimens to science. During Science Saturday: Bug Day on January 23, 2027, VMNH Curator of Recent Invertebrates Dr. Kal Ivanov and his team of researchers will present visitors with an exciting array of specimens, many of which are seldom — sometimes never — placed on public display.
Reptile Festival
On April 23 and 24, 2027, visitors will slither, crawl, and explore their way into the fascinating world of reptiles during the museum's annual Reptile Festival. Highlighted by the museum's herpetology research program, the event features a fascinating diversity of live animals and scientific specimens, as well as numerous reptile-themed activities and crafts.
Dino Festival
The museum's annual 2-day dinosaur extravaganza will take place July 23 and 24, 2027, bringing the world of dinosaurs to life. Highlighted by the museum's paleontology research program, Dino Festival features a trove of fossils from the VMNH paleontology collections, special science stations hosted by expert paleontologists, life size-cast skeletons of some of the most iconic dinosaurs of the Mesozoic Era, and an array of dinosaur-themed activities and crafts.
Bonez & Booz
Science and spooky-season fun will come together during the museum's annual Bonez & Booz seasonal event on Saturday, October 23, 2027. The event will feature Halloween-themed science stations hosted by the museum's curatorial team, as well as a wide variety of entertainment options, including fire performances, magic shows, stilt walkers, carnival games, costume contests, and more.
The Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson, Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust has been a longtime supporter of VMNH. Its support previously helped launch the museum’s first Science Outreach Initiative in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The Science for All initiative was originally developed to provide STEM-based virtual programming for students and school groups throughout the 2020–21 school year," said VMNH Deputy Director Ryan Barber. "Since then, the program has evolved to focus, specifically, on the power of in-person learning and hands-on discovery."
Through Science for All, VMNH continues that evolution — creating opportunities for visitors to see science up close, engage with researchers and collections, and discover the natural world in new and memorable ways.
“The initiative has been tremendously successful over the years,” said Barber. “That success would not have been possible without the Patterson Foundation’s initial generosity and foresight, and we are equally grateful for its continued support, which allows the initiative to grow and reach even more people today.”
