What: Learn about history, art, culture and science while creating a fantastic creature with the Smithsonian's Open Access collections.

Age: 2-9

How:
1. Download the COLLAGASAURUS! how-to book created by author/illustrator of the "Astronuts", Jon Scieszka and Steven Weinberg: https://learninglab.si.edu/cab...
2. Use some of the images in this set to make your own creature!
a. For younger children, review body parts they need to make a creature; print out images and have kiddos work on scissor and glue skills. Once their creature is complete, ask them how it would move, how it would eat, where it would live.
b. For older kids, either do the analog method used for younger kids (see 2a.) or use it as an opportunity to work on computer skills using imaging software. Talk with them about the collections they chose; how old they are, where they are from, etc. Discuss how the creature would move and interact with the world given the body parts that were chosen.

3. Afterwards, get a behind-the-scenes peek at how Steven and Jon collage Smithsonian Open Access images -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=z_-LVBQsXG8