Final Natural Science Lecture Series discussion focuses on cowrie shells
The last Natural Science Lecture Series lecture of the 2010-11 season will be given by Dr. José H. Leal at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4. Dr. Leal will be discussing cowries, a topic prompted by the initial development and design of the museum’s next exhibit dedicated to cowrie shells.
Cowries are a group of fascinating tropical mollusks. Only a few species of cowries are found in the Atlantic. Most cowries occur in the Indo-West Pacific. Cowries fetch very high prices in the shell collectors market. They are associated with coral reefs and because of the global destruction of this type of habit cowries may become an endangered species.
Dr. Leal will also discuss the life habits, variations, and trivia associated with this captivating group of species.
Funding for the cowrie exhibit was provided by part-time Sanibel residents Jean and Rich Rompala. Jean is a Shell Museum volunteer with the School Groups Program.
The lecture is free with museum admission.
The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum is located at 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road. Their phone number is 395-2233. Please contact Diane Thomas, the museum’s Public Programs Specialist, to obtain additional information.
Resort program schedule announced
In response to an identified need introduced by lodging partners throughout the county, The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum has developed a resort program called “Children Play… Parents May…”
Family vacations are great, but did you ever find yourself dreaming of a few hours of adult play time? Maybe mom and dad have shopping in mind without the stress of assuring fragile gift shop objects remain on the shelves. Perhaps your favorite book is calling or you wish you could have a meal accompanied by just grown-up conversations. If so, this program is for you.
Drop the children off and enjoy 2.5 hours of guilt-free adult time. Your children won’t even know you’re gone because they will be reading about mollusks and their friends, playing educational games, creating shell craft projects, making fact wheels or pop-up books, and doing creative writing.
The program is appropriate for ages 5 through 12. The cost is $15 per child. Classes will be held at the museum from 9 until 11:30 a.m. on the following Tuesdays and Thursdays:
July 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 25 and 27
August 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25 and 30
September 1
To sign up for “Children Play… Parents May…,” call Diane Orvis Thomas at 395-2233 or send an email to dothomas@shellmuseum.org. Registration is required by 3 p.m. Monday for Tuesday sessions and by 3 p.m. Wednesday for Thursday sessions.