A Week of Free, Fun, and Educational Family Programming for School Vacation Week
BETHEL, Maine. April 11, 2025 — Families looking for a stellar way to spend school vacation week are in for a treat! From April 19 to April 26, the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum (MMGM) will host AprilROCKS! — a free, week-long celebration of earth science, space exploration, and out-of-this-world fun designed to engage curious minds of all ages.
“AprilROCKS! is an exciting opportunity for families to explore the wonders of our natural world and beyond,” said Jessica Siraco, Executive Director of the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. “With a full week of free, family-friendly educational programming, we’re inviting students of all ages to dive into hands-on activities that spark curiosity—from Mars-themed crafts and space-themed readings to mineral identification and geology talks. It’s a celebration of science, discovery, and fun during Maine’s school vacation week.”
The line-up includes six unique events:
- April 19: Mineral ID Day, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Our expert will identify up to three mystery rocks or minerals per person. Bring in responsibly sourced rocks from your vacation week travels this month or at our next Mineral ID Day on July 19.
- April 20: Mainers & Micrometeorites, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Free museum entry for Maine residents and learn how to find rocks from space at our special-edition Community Day with guest Jon Wallace, sponsored by Gould Academy
- April 21: Meet Oppy! Storytime & Rover Craft, 11 a.m. to noon— Build robots from recycled materials following a Mars Rover-themed book reading. (K-6th grade)
- April 22: Jeweler’s Stone & Sparkle Market, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Wholesale shopping event for gems and cabochons. (Must have resale certificate)
- April 24: NASA Scientist Storytime and Talk on Titan Moon Mission, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. — Dr. R. Aileen Yingst will start a day of space exploration with a book reading and meet-n-greet for kids pre-K to Gr. 2 from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Starting at 2 p.m., she’ll lead a discussion targeted for teens and adults on NASA’s upcoming Dragonfly Mission to Saturn’s Titan moon and what it could uncover about our solar system.
- April 26: The Groovy Geologist Talks New England Rocks, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. — The Groovy Geologist Cate Larsen will lead an exciting all-ages talk on the geology of New England, revealing the fascinating stories local rocks have to tell.
Can’t make it to the museum? No problem! Travelers passing through the Portland International Jetport can still join the fun. Snap a photo in front of the museum’s exhibit, “Fly Me to the Moon,” in the terminal, just past TSA and near Starbucks. Tag us on Facebook or Instagram, and use #AprilROCKS! To enter to win your very own piece of the moon or Mars! Whether you’re traveling near or far, MMGM wants to see you rocking your school vacation! Winners will be randomly selected on April 27. Find complete contest details on our social media and web pages.
With activities ranging from robot-building to meteorite-finding, AprilROCKS! is sure to have kids and families of all ages buzzing with excitement. The week’s programming offers a perfect blend of earthly and out-of-this-world activities—guaranteed to keep young explorers engaged, entertained, and inspired.
Museum staff highlighted the upcoming visit with Dr. Yingst appropriate for all ages kicking off with a book reading intended to inspire the next generation of space scientists.
“We’re honored to welcome back such a distinguished and accomplished planetary scientist to the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. It’s a privilege to have someone of Dr. Yingst’s expertise — who has played a key role in NASA’s exploration of the solar system — share her insights right here in Maine, surrounded by meteorites from the very places she’s helped us better understand,” said Patrick Leverone, Meteorite Project Director at MMGM.
Whether your kids are fascinated by fiery gemstones or dreaming of future space missions, MMGM’s AprilROCKS! has something for everyone. It’s a perfect way for families to spend school break exploring, learning, and having fun.
