The daily news doesn’t often focus on science, but for a day or two last November, scientific exploration took over the headlines as the InSight Lander arrived on Mars. The first mission designed to probe the interior of another planet, InSight traveled more than 300 million miles over seven months. Watching the livestream of those final moments, my family and I found ourselves cheering along with the engineers in the control room as they celebrated their success.

This type of “Big Science” victory is one that my kids and I will remember for a lifetime. But just as important are the “small science” moments that happen every day: a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis or a snowflake crystalizing on a mitten. When we stop to look, we start to wonder. That wonder can begin as a sense of amazement at the “magic” of nature, especially in our youngest visitors, but it can lead to more when presented as a question: I wonder how that caterpillar transformed into an entirely different creature? I wonder why that snowflake formed so differently from the one next to it?

Major scientific breakthroughs may occur only a few times in our lives, but the natural world offers up daily opportunities for us to question, to think, and to learn. What’s more, having a formal scientific degree or engineering background isn’t a prerequisite, only your own curiosity. You don’t even have to know the “right” answer to your or your child’s question; their asking is the most important part. We hope that the inquiries that start here at Drumlin Farm, whether you experience them on your own or alongside our educators, will bring discovery and delight, along with inspiration for all of us to become strong environmental stewards.

Wishing you a year of small-science wonders,

Renata Pomponi
Drumlin Farm Sanctuary Director

Our new programs and events catalog for April-September 2019 has arrived, filled with new programs to get you and your family and friends outside exploring. Highlights include:

• Special Events like the Sap-to-Syrup Farmer’s Breakfast, Woolapalooza, Summer Evening Music Series, and Moon Over Drumlin.
• Information on our Spring, Summer, and Fall CSA programs so that you can get Drumlin Farm grown produce to your kitchen weekly. Register before February 28 to receive an early bird discount.
• Camp registration is now open for campers ages 4-17 at our two locations: Assabet River Wildlife Sanctuary in Sudbury–all about wilderness and survival skills–and right here at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, with sessions on nature, farming, cooking, photography, and more!
• Single Session and Series Family, Adult/Child Pair, and Children’s programs such as
  • School Vacation Week Programming: February & April
  • March-Into-Spring Mini Series
  • Afternoon Chores & More
  • Friday Evening Hayrides
  • Cooking Programs
  • Wolbach Wonders at Wolbach Farm in Sudbury
• Teen Programs like our Sunday Brunch Club, Teen Bird-a-thon, and Cooking Classes
• Adults Programs that focus on natural history, know-your-food, and birding.
• Free with admission seasonal events like Strawberry Day, Pollinator Day, and our Fall Harvest Celebration for all ages.
• Weekend & Out-of-State Birding Programs, from Long Island and Western Mass to as far away as California, New Mexico, Iceland, and more!
• Information on our School & Groups programming, including Farm-to-School Programs and LEAF: Leaders in Environmental Access for All.
• Drumlin Farm Community Preschool where ages 3-6 can join Drumlin Farm for outdoor play in nature, farm chores, wildlife visits, and crops learning.