Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination

Embark on a daring voyage into the depths of human imagination at the Harvard Museum of Natural History’s new exhibition, Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination. Featuring ancient mariners' maps, literature, works of art, and natural history specimens, this exhibit explores the allure of serpents, krakens, and other monsters of the deep. Peer into the minds of scholars from centuries past, and study sea creatures whose real lives are often more astonishing than the fantastical beings we might have imagined. Dive into the ocean of human consciousness, where dreams and fears entwine with reality, offering profound insights into our world and ourselves. Join us in unraveling the mysteries of the deep sea and the human psyche, where sea monsters—both real and imagined—beckon us to explore the unknown.

Harvard Museum of Natural History

Measuring Difference

Today, measurement is everywhere. We understand everything around us in inches, degrees, gallons, decibels, and more. But measurements are human inventions. It is through measures that we learn to see difference, to compare the world. In the Americas, colonial powers introduced new measurements to describe and exploit the “New World.” Existing ways of understanding and explaining the world and our relationship to others were displaced, cementing European measures as norms and tools of authority. Using examples from across the Americas, this exhibit illustrates what—and who—was measured, and how. See museum website for gallery closures.

Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments

Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic

In this exhibition, the art collective TRES invites us to share their 2016 journey to document, collect, and photograph debris along the beaches of Australia. Evoking archaeology, marine biology, and cartography, their images summon us to more deeply engage with the natural vistas and objects they have encountered, and to examine and interpret them with fresh perspectives. TRES transports us with photographs of glowing orbs that resemble celestial spheres more than the bottle caps they once were. Making their way as garbage to Australia from as far away as China, these objects have been scarred by Bryozoa, tiny micro-organisms which can be seen in the display case in this exhibition. Now, plastic items such as these lay scattered about the otherwise pristine-appearing landscapes. The rhythmic flow of images challenges us to make sense of the terrain. With hand-drawn maps and charts, TRES attempts to bring order to a perplexing world, where plastic objects resemble organic ones, and “natural” landscapes bear unmistakable traces of human-made pollution.

Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology

¡Ser Súper Is Super! The Power of Bilingualism!

In-Person Presentation Being bilingual is like having a superpower! It boosts your brain, opens doors, and connects you to people and cultures from around the world. Join bilingual museum educator, Javier Marin, for a fun-filled storybook reading in both English and Spanish that celebrates the power of being bilingual! After the reading, stick around for a hands-on craft workshop where kids and caregivers can get creative, practice their Spanish and build community together. Come join the fun, make friends, and see how powerful being bilingual can be! Recommended for ages 3—8. <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzdgokaR6R5_RF4FIvauA4eRy_tIhp48PeF3yUACgldxOiIA/viewform">This program is free with required registration. Capacity is limited.</a> Presentación en persona ¡Ser bilingüe es como tener un superpoder! Estimula tu cerebro, te abre puertas y te conecta con personas y culturas de todo el mundo. Acompaña a Javier Marín, educador bilingüe del Museo, en una divertida lectura de cuentos en inglés y español que celebra el poder de ser bilingüe. Después de la lectura, quédate para un taller de manualidades donde los niños y las familias pueden ser creativos, practicar su español y construir una comunidad juntos. Únete a la diversión, haz amigos y comprueba lo poderoso que puede ser ser bilingüe. Recomendado para edades de 3 a 8 años <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWsjUeMMaCKrAJu0ahzNjNrixg5LF9JPlh4MwXXnjsE8kIRA/viewform">Este programa es gratis con inscripción obligatoria. Capacidad limitada.</a>

Harvard Museum of Natural History, Classroom B (Third Floor)

Family Activities at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East

Join Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture volunteers for a live story reading and hands-on, family-friendly activities at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East. Recommended for ages 5–12. Admission to the museum is free. Sponsored by the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East and the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture.

Summer Solstice 2025: Night at the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture

Join the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture on the longest day of the year—free of charge—to explore the galleries and new exhibitions at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, the Peabody Museum of Archaeology &amp; Ethnology, the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, and the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East. Step outdoors to enjoy live music and performers, play lawn games, and make a flower crown. Ice cream, beverages, and food will be available for purchase from food trucks. Don’t miss out on this popular event for all ages! Sponsored by the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture. Presented in collaboration with Revels, the Office of the FAS Chief Campus Curator, Harvard University Graduate Commons Program, and Mass Cultural Council. Free event parking will be available at the 52 Oxford Street Garage. Please note that Divinity Avenue will be closed to traffic during the event. The Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture are an 8-minute walk through historic Harvard Yard from the Harvard Square MBTA Red Line station.

Science Spotlights: Minds Across the Multiverse & Why Do We Walk on Two Legs? Ask a Leaf!

In-Person Presentation Meet up-and-coming scientists and learn about questions at the forefront of research today in this series of short talks. 2:00–2:30 pm – Minds Across the Multiverse Speaker: Brandon Fricker, Postdoctoral Student, the Elya Lab Have you ever wondered why some animals are highly social, while others prefer solitude? Or why certain species behave aggressively, while others are more timid? Although behavior varies greatly across the animal kingdom, one thing remains constant: it’s shaped by the brain. In some astonishing cases, organisms can even hijack the brains of others to completely change their behavior. So, what exactly is happening inside the brain? Join Harvard scientist Brandon Fricker as he explores this question using simple “zombie” fly brains to uncover how larger, more complex brains drive behavior. 3:00–3:30 pm – Why Do We Walk on Two Legs? Ask a Leaf! Speaker: Ruth Tweedy, Graduate Student, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Have you ever wondered why people walk on two legs, while monkeys and apes—our closest living relatives—still swing through trees? Harvard scientist Ruth Tweedy thinks the answer might have something to do with where early humans lived. She studies ancient landscapes in eastern Africa by looking at the waxy coatings on leaves—tiny chemical “fingerprints” that plants leave behind in the ground. These fingerprints can last for millions of years and help tell the story of what the world looked like long ago. Join Ruth to uncover how clues from leaves reveal the environments where early humans lived—and why standing tall might have been the smartest way to get around. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Regular museum admission rates apply. Presented by the Harvard Museum of Natural History and Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture.

ArtsThursdays: A Free Night at the Museums

Free In-Person Event Join us for a free night at two of the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture. Come with a date, come with friends, or make new friends while strolling through the galleries. All ages are welcome. Harvard Museum of Natural History Experience the world-famous <a href="https://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/glass-flowers">Glass Flowers</a>. Voyage to the depths of human imagination in the exhibition, <a href="https://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/sea-monsters">Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination</a>. Come face-to-face with the ocean’s most famous, misunderstood megafauna in<a href="https://hmnh.harvard.edu/swimming-sharks"> Swimming with Sharks: A Deep Dive into Shark Biology and Behavior</a>. Peabody Museum of Archaeology &amp; Ethnology Explore <a href="https://peabody.harvard.edu/castaway-afterlife-plastic">Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic</a>, a new, innovative exhibition that documents the art collective TRES’s journey along the beaches of Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania, where they collected and photographed debris that had washed up from places as far away as China. The exhibition is presented in English and Spanish. Harvard Commencement is on May 29. Parking options will be limited. Public transit is recommended. ArtsThursdays is a university-wide initiative supported by Harvard University Committee on the Arts (HUCA) .

Conversation and Exhibition Preview | Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic

TRES ilana boltvinik. Instituto de Artes Plásticas, Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico; 2016 Gardner Fellow in Photography rodrigo viñas. Independent artist; 2016 Gardner Fellow in Photography In conversation with Madeline Murphy Turner, Emily Rauh Pulitzer Curatorial Fellow in Contemporary Drawings, Harvard Art Museums Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic by the art collective TRES, is an art-research project that investigates plastic’s enduring presence in global ecosystems. Since 2016, TRES has searched for and photographed marine debris and plastic that has washed up on the Australian shores of Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania. Using photography, maps, and collected artifacts, the collective documents how plastic castaways of contemporary culture become embedded in landscapes—often unnoticed yet ever-present. Castaway’s visual poetry, mimicry, and humor aim to prompt reflection on humanity’s materiality, use, and deep entanglement with plastic. At the same time, the project speculates about new forms of coexistence in which life and synthetic matter evolve together in unexpected ways. Presented in Spanish with English translation. A reception and exhibition preview will follow in the galleries of the Peabody Museum. Free and open to the public. Free event parking at the 52 Oxford Street Garage. Advance registration recommended. Presented by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology &amp; Ethnology and the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture.

Geological Lecture Hall

¡Ser Súper is Super! The Power of Bilingualism!

Being bilingual is like having a superpower! It boosts your brain, opens doors, and connects you to people and cultures from around the world. Join bilingual museum educator, Javier Marin, for a fun-filled storybook reading in both English and Spanish that celebrates the power of being bilingual! After the reading, stick around for a hands-on craft workshop where kids and caregivers can get creative, practice their Spanish and build community together. Come join the fun, make friends, and see how powerful being bilingual can be! Recommended for ages 3—8. Regular museum admission rates apply.

Harvard Museum of Natural History, Romer Hall (Third Floor)

ArtsThursdays: Astrobiology & Music

Free In-Person Event Museum galleries open and free to the public. Is there life elsewhere in our solar system, or beyond? How will we discover it? And if there is, what then for us on Earth? Explore these questions and more at the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture. This free event brings together astrophysicist and bestselling author Avi Loeb, the chamber ensemble of the Multiverse Concert Series, and science educators to explore astrobiology topics from both artistic and scientific perspectives. Schedule: 5–7 pm Earth &amp; Planetary Sciences Gallery Meet and chat with planetary scientists and researchers from the Center for Astrophysics. 7–8 pm Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street Enjoy an immersive concert inspired by the search for life in other worlds. Astrophysicist Avi Loeb, David Ibbett, Resident Composer at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard &amp; Smithsonian and the Multiverse Soloists join forces to explore astrogeology, exoplanets, and distant technosignatures using music, immersive visuals, and cutting-edge science. 5–9 pm Explore all 22 galleries of the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology &amp; Ethnology Purchase drinks at the cash bar. Valid government ID required to consume alcoholic beverages Enter a free raffle to win museum gifts and membership Free and open to the public. Let us know you are coming! RSVPs are encouraged, but walk-in visitors are always welcome. Free event parking at the 52 Oxford Street Garage. Presented in collaboration with the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard &amp; Smithsonian, the Harvard College Observatory, and ArtsThursdays—a university-wide initiative supported by the Harvard University Committee on the Arts.

Science Spotlights Short of Breath? Here’s a Rock and the Icy Origins of Life

Meet up-and-coming scientists and learn about questions at the forefront of research today in this series of short talks. 2:00–2:30 pm Short of Breath? Here’s a Rock When we think of electricity, we often picture wires, circuits and generators. But did you know that living things can also produce electricity? In fact, electricity powers many of the biological processes in living things, including us! Even more surprising is that bacteria can use electricity to “breathe rocks.” What does this mean exactly? Join Harvard scientist Federica Calabrese as she uncovers how some microbes evolved to live in oxygen-free environments and how we can harness “bio-electricity” to power on own electronic devices. 3:00–3:30 pm The Icy Origin of Life Have you ever wondered how life began? The answer might be hidden in space—on tiny cosmic snowflakes! In the freezing depths of space, dust and gas come together to form icy particles that hold the ingredients for making planets and maybe even life itself. Scientists can recreate these conditions in the lab to better understand how simple molecules can transform into the building blocks of life. Join Harvard scientist Alexia Simon as she explores how the coldest places in the universe may have helped life get its start! Recommended for ages 10 and up. Regular museum admission rates apply. Presented by the Harvard Museum of Natural History and Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture.

Harvard Museum of Natural History (Classroom B, Third Floor)

Exploring Human Origins at Kenya’s Lake Turkana

Free Public Lecture – Online &amp; In Person 2025 Hallam L. Movius, Jr. Lecture Series Louise Leakey, Director, Koobi Fora Research Project; Research Professor, Department of Anthropology, Stony Brook University; National Geographic Explorer at Large Kenya’s fossil-rich Turkana Basin has been—for over five decades—a cornerstone in unraveling the story of human origins in Africa. In this lecture, renowned paleoanthropologist Louise Leakey will delve into the groundbreaking discoveries at Lake Turkana, including hominins and fossil fauna that have reshaped our understanding of human ancestry. She will discuss the challenges of early exploration, and the impact of the Koobi Fora research camp, the National Museums of Kenya, and the Turkana Basin Institute, in advancing paleoscience. In closing, she will address opportunities to enhance research, collections care, and capacity-building at Lake Turkana through innovative funding, collaborations, and citizen science projects. Advance registration recommended for in-person and online attendance. Free event parking at the 52 Oxford Street Garage. Presented by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology &amp; Ethnology, the Harvard Museums of Science &amp; Culture, and the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University. Louise Leakey is a third-generation Kenyan paleoanthropologist who is carrying on the legacy of the famed Leakey family in the search for human origins in Kenya’s fossil-rich Turkana Basin. A National Geographic Explorer at Large, Leakey, daughter of Meave and Richard Leakey, and granddaughter of Louis and Mary Leakey, all renowned paleoanthropologists, became actively involved in fossil discoveries at age five when she was proclaimed the youngest documented person to find a hominid fossil. Educated in the UK, she earned a PhD in Biology from University College London in 2001. Leakey also serves as a research professor in Anthropology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a research associate at the National Museums of Kenya. Louise directs the paleo-anthropological expeditions of the Koobi Fora Research Project in northern Kenya. New discoveries by her team in recent years include multiple hominin fossils, as well as the 1.5 million-year hominin trackway published in Science in 2024. A new species discovered at Lake Turkana in 1999 extended human fossil diversity back to 3.5 million years and, according to the New York Times, “overturns the prevailing view that a single line of descent stretched through the early stages of human ancestry.” Additional fossils recovered from this time period in recent years have contributed to the understanding of the diversity in the hominin fossil record. In addition to her long-term field studies in the Turkana Basin, Leakey also works closely with local communities and alongside wildlife authorities to preserve Kenya’s unique plants and animals of Kenya’s north. A lively lecturer, she gives talks and distributes science stories to Kenyan school children as part of the outreach efforts of her research project through her organization Leakey Journeys and Expeditions. Born and brought up in East Africa, she has travelled widely throughout the continent. Her family has been involved in the field of human origins for several generations and has contributed enormously to the understanding of our African origins through their work in both Kenya and Tanzania. Her family has been involved in politics and government, national museums, and wildlife conservation. Her husband, Emmanuel de Merode, is Director of Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa’s oldest national park and home to endangered mountain gorillas. His team has worked tirelessly to secure the future of this protected area through significant investments in renewable energy in this war-torn region. Louise is a mother of two adult daughters, a pilot, and an educator. She has many colorful experiences and insights to share.

Exploring Wampum Traditions with Elizabeth James-Perry Morning Session

Join Elizabeth James-Perry in an exploration of wampum, an integral part of Native American history, culture, and artistry. In this program, James-Perry, a member of the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe, will delve into the significance of wampum—shell beads traditionally made by Tribes on the East Coast for storytelling, diplomacy, and record-keeping. She will discuss how wampum belts serve as historical documents and symbols of agreements, alliances, and shared memory within Indigenous communities. Through a live demonstration, James-Perry will showcase the making of a necklace using milkweed and glass trade beads, reflecting both traditional and contemporary methods. Participants will also engage in the practice of spinning deer sinew, an essential skill in Native craftsmanship. This experience offers a unique opportunity to learn not only the art of wampum making but also its enduring role in Indigenous identity, sovereignty, and cultural continuity. &nbsp; This experience is for ages 12 and up. &nbsp; After, check out the Two Row Wampum Belt replica on display in the Hall of the North American Indian. The Two Row represents an historic peace agreement between the Haudenosaunee and the Dutch colonizers in the seventeenth century. The replica belt was made by Longhouse Faithkeeper Tony Gonyea (Beaver Clan, Onondaga Nation) in 2024. Fees: $30 members / $35 nonmembers per person. Includes museum admission and materials. Participants are encouraged to come early or stay late to explore the museum. Advance registration is required. Participants ages 12–17 must be accompanied by an adult. Register online.

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Where

hmsc

Experiences

Sea Monsters: Wonders of Nature and Imagination

Measuring Difference

Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic

¡Ser Súper Is Super! The Power of Bilingualism!

Family Activities at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East

Family Activities at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East

Summer Solstice 2025: Night at the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture

Science Spotlights: Minds Across the Multiverse & Why Do We Walk on Two Legs? Ask a Leaf!

ArtsThursdays: A Free Night at the Museums

Conversation and Exhibition Preview | Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic

¡Ser Súper is Super! The Power of Bilingualism!

ArtsThursdays: Astrobiology & Music

Science Spotlights Short of Breath? Here’s a Rock and the Icy Origins of Life

Exploring Human Origins at Kenya’s Lake Turkana

Exploring Wampum Traditions with Elizabeth James-Perry Morning Session