The traveling exhibition Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to Be Human? will be on display at the Main Library December 4, 2023 through January 13th, 2024. Through panels, interactive kiosks, hands-on displays and videos, Exploring Human Origins invites viewers of all ages to explore to learn about the milestones in the evolutionary journey of becoming human.
Please join us for the following exhibit-related programs!
Saturday, December 2nd @ 10:00 a.m.
Little Artists
Celebrate the opening of our Exploring Human Origins exhibit by learning about the very first artists who ever lived and creating a “cave” painting to display for the community. We will be finger painting, so it will get messy! Supplies will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis while they last. All ages welcome!
MAIN LIBRARY
Monday, December 4th @ 9:30 a.m. & 4:30 p.m.
Science with Dr. Rick Potts
Dr. Rick Potts, the exhibition curator and director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History Human Origins Program, will give a lecture about the latest research in human evolution and an overview of the Origins exhibition. Space is limited.
MAIN LIBRARY
Monday, December 4th @ 4:00 p.m.
EXHIBIT GRAND OPENING
Join us for an opening reception for Exploring Human Origins: What Does It Mean to be Human? a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian Institute that invites viewers of all ages to explore to learn about the milestones in the evolutionary journey of becoming human. Light refreshments will be served.
MAIN LIBRARY
Tuesday, December 5th
Drs. Connie Berka & Jim Miller - A Community Conversation
Join us for a chance to discuss in small groups a variety of your own answers to the question "What does it mean to be human?". We will consider how answers to this question might intersect with a scientific understanding of human origins. The conversations will be led by Drs. Connie Bertka and Jim Miller, members of the Broader Social Impacts Committee of the Smithsonian's Human Origins Program. Space is limited.
HERITAGE LIBRARY, 350 S THIRD AVE, YUMA - 9:30AM
MAIN LIBRARY 3:30PM
Wednesday, December 6th @ 9:30 a.m.
Educator Workshop
Led by Dr. Briana Pobiner and Dr. Connie Bertka from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (SNMNH).
This workshop is for classroom teachers, science and nature center and museum educators, homeschoolers and other local educators. It will feature exploration and hands-on practice in presenting the SNMNH Human Origins Program resources, including a set of five early human skull casts; classroom-tested, high-school biology teaching activities, and a teacher resource on cultural and religious sensitivity strategies. HERITAGE LIBRARY
Wednesday, December 13th @ 3:30 p.m.
Philosophy & Human Evolution
AZ Western College Professor David Burris will provide a presentation on philosophy and human evolution. Professor Burris is a full-time philosophy and religious studies professor at AWC.
MAIN LIBRARY
Monday, December 18th @ 10:00 a.m.
Prehistoric Art & Natural Dyes
Art has always been a part of human expression, from cave drawings to modern art. Early civilizations used art as a way to communicate and document important events and people. Discover the beginnings of art and how humans used natural ingredients to create paint and dye. Attendees will also learn how to use the flower pounding, or eco printing, technique to create patterns on fabric and paper using plants.
MAIN LIBRARY
Tuesday, December 19th @ 10:00 a.m.
Ancestry Shared: The Story of Our Human Migration
A program to accompany the exhibit “Exploring Human Origins”, which will take a look at shared DNA and ethnicity, migration patterns, genealogy, and what it means to belong.
MAIN LIBRARY
Wednesday, December 20th @ 1:00 p.m.
Caveman Movie & Craft
Celebrate the Exploring Human Origins exhibit with a fun animated movie. Then, join us for a craft inspired by the film! Limited seating; supplies will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis while they last. All ages welcome!
MAIN LIBRARY
The exhibition is free and open to the public during library hours, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., and Friday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. For more information, call (928) 782-1871.
Exploring Human Origins: Promoting a National Conversation on Human Evolution is administered by ALA’s Public Programs Office in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s (NMNH) Human Origins Program.
