What's happening in the Worcester area for school vacation week

Jeff A. Chamer, Telegram & Gazette
·5 min read
Children return for lunch from a April vacation program at Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary after searching for flowers and new growth in the woods, meadows and vernal pools. Every day this week features a new theme and Tuesday was flowers.
Children return for lunch from a April vacation program at Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary after searching for flowers and new growth in the woods, meadows and vernal pools. Every day this week features a new theme and Tuesday was flowers.

WORCESTER — While some students may spend spring vacation catching up on sleep or traveling, others may be looking for something fun and close to do this week.

From touring the halls of the Worcester Art Museum or spending the week at the EcoTarium learning about animals and space, students and their families won’t have to look far for entertainment.

Check out a list of spring vacation events and suggestions below:

Children play with foam blocks as part of the Imagination playground during previous Earth Day activities at the EcoTarium.
Children play with foam blocks as part of the Imagination playground during previous Earth Day activities at the EcoTarium.

Community Science Vacation Week at the EcoTarium Monday to Saturday

Every day this week until Friday, the EcoTarium will offer families a day packed with activities for spring vacation. The daily schedule includes:

  • 11 a.m. – Science Discovery: BioBlitz!

  • 12:30 p.m. – Science Discovery: Light Pollution Solution

  • 2 p.m. – Astronomy Live! (a separate ticket is required)

  • 2:45 p.m. – Science Discovery: April Showers

The EcoTarium will also celebrate Earth Day from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday.

Information about the programming, as well as other options throughout the week, is available on the EcoTarium website. Tickets for both Community Science Vacation Week and the Earth Day celebration can be purchased on the website as well.

Celebrate Earth Day weeklong events at the Worcester Public Library Tuesday to Saturday

The main branch of the Worcester Public Library has a litany of programming families can take part in this week as part of its Celebrate Earth Day events. Some events require registration, and some are targeted toward specific ages.

  • Tuesday:

    • Recycled Robots Craft in the Pappas Children’s Center at 2:30 p.m. Create a robot in honor of Earth Day. Recommended for ages 6 to 11. Sign-up required on the library website.

    • Craft Exchange in the Banx Room, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Attendees can bring in their own craft supplies and trade them for other supplies they may need, like yarn, scrapbook supplies, finished crafts and more. Recommended for ages 16 and up.

  • Wednesday:

    • Reptiles Rock! in the Saxe Room at 2:30 p.m. Kids will get a presentation from Rainforest Reptiles about small and large reptiles, and have the chance to touch both a snake and an alligator. For families with children 11 and under.

    • DIY Crafts in the Innovation Center, 3 to 4:30 p.m. Four stations to make crafts honoring Earth Day. Ages 16 and up.

    • Introduction to Foraging in the Saxe Room, 6 to 8 p.m. Rachel Goclawski, certified educator and state-certified in mushrooming, talks about the many benefits of foraging.

  • Friday:

    • Information table in the lobby, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by the lobby to talk to the City of Worcester Department of Sustainability & Resilience about its goal to make Worcester the greenest midsize city in the country.

  • Saturday:

    • Earth Day movie matinee in the first-floor computer lab

      • "Wings of Life" at 10 a.m. A look at bats, butterflies, hummingbirds, bumblebees and flowers examines how these organisms help keep the ecosystem in balance.

      • "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power" at 11:30 a.m. This sequel to the 2006 documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" follows Al Gore as he travels the world attempting to combat climate change.

SPRING-Tacular free day at the Worcester Historical Museum Wednesday

Admission to the Worcester Historical Museum will be free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about Dr. Robert Goddard from 11 a.m. to noon, and Smiley from 1 to 2 p.m. Photos allowed.

School Vacation at the Movies: Richard and his Traveling Silent Movie Shows at Samuel Slater Experience in Webster Thursday

Pianist and historian Richard Hughes will perform and present children's silent movie programming at the Samuel Slater Experience museum in Webster at 2 p.m. The event is free, but registration is required on EventBrite. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The museum will not be open for regular tours on Thursday.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales visit at the Burncoat Branch of the Worcester Public Library Thursday

People of all ages are invited to the Burncoat Branch of the Worcester Public Library, located at 526 Burncoat St., for a Spider-Man meet-and-greet from 4 to 5 p.m. Audience members will have the chance to get a photo, and get some “hero training" with Miles Morales.

Assumption University Band spring concert in the Curtis Performance Hall Thursday

Conducted by Bruce Hopkins, the Assumption University Band will present its spring concert at 8 p.m. in the Curtis Performance Hall, at the Assumption University campus, at 500 Salisbury St.

The concert is free and will include music from composers such as Gustav Holst, Yukiko Nishimura, Mitch Leigh, Leroy Anderson and John Philip Sousa.

10th annual art palette contest at the Spaulding R. Aldrich Heritage Gallery in Whitinsville through Friday

Spaulding R. Aldrich Heritage Gallery hosts the 10th annual art palette contest.
Spaulding R. Aldrich Heritage Gallery hosts the 10th annual art palette contest.

This week marks the last chance to catch the 10th annual art palette competition at the Spaulding R. Aldrich Heritage Gallery, at 50 Douglas Road in Whitinsville. The community event brings together the creations of artists of all ages and abilities who turned wooden art palettes into works of art.

Guests will be invited to cast a vote for their favorite palettes, and winners will receive cash awards in three different categories and age groups. Regular gallery hours are Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment.

The exhibit ends Friday.

Vernon Hill community cleanup Friday; Regional Environmental Council Earth Day cleanup Saturday

Those looking to volunteer can join cleanup efforts this week. The first is taking place in the Vernon Hill neighborhood from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, and will be a joint effort between Worcester Green Corps and volunteers from Santander Bank. Volunteers will meet in the parking lot for Vernon Hill Park off of Ames Street.

Madeline Lawrence breaks up cardboard boxes to recycle at a previous Regional Environmental Council Earth Day cleanup in Worcester.
Madeline Lawrence breaks up cardboard boxes to recycle at a previous Regional Environmental Council Earth Day cleanup in Worcester.

The second cleanup is the Regional Environmental Council Earth Day cleanups from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Volunteers will meet at Crompton Park at Harding and Endicott streets, where parking is available. A cookout for the volunteers will go from noon to 2 p.m. at the REC office and YouthGROW Farm at 42 Lagrange St.

More info and sign-ups are on the Worcester Green Corps website.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Things to do in Worcester during school vacation week