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🌪🐢🔬🔍 Inspiring everyone in the joy of scientific discovery and wonder of nature
📍Burlington, Vermont

🐍Sometimes we have ssssspecial guests wanderin

🐍Sometimes we have ssssspecial guests wandering around ECHO, in guest areas and our offices while we work! Olivia, our Animal Care Specialist, recently brought ECHO’s Ratsnake into the office after a brief walk around the museum. These wanderings provide environmental enrichment for our animal ambassadors.

Ratsnakes are large non-venomous snakes that can grow up to 6 feet long. Ratsnakes are a threatened species in Vermont. Why do we want to protect snakes? Snakes consume other animals that we sometimes regard as pests if their populations are left unchecked, like insects and rodents. They are also often an indicator species of ecosystem health; a decline in a snake population may indicate a problem in their habitat.

What can you do to help snakes?
🐍 In areas where snakes are seen, avoid using pesticides like rodenticides or insecticides.
🐍 Learn how to make good snake habitat features like dens, or cover or snake hotels.
🐍 Visit the Vermont Reptile and Amphibians Atlas to learn how to identify snakes, where snakes are found, or how to report your own sightings!

#Ratsnake #Vermont #VTHerpAtlas #ScienceMuseum

ECHO's Member Mornings have been extended through

ECHO's Member Mornings have been extended through August! On Saturdays from 9-10 am, members are invited to come and enjoy ECHO during this special museum time just for them. All exhibits and the museum store are available to explore before the museum opens to the general public.

Not a member? Join the ECHO family to get access to benefits, discounts, special events, and more at the link in our bio!

Dear Friends, As you may have seen, executive orde

Dear Friends,
As you may have seen, executive orders and federal agency grant terminations have recently impacted numerous science and arts organizations across the US, including Vermont. These cuts have directly affected ECHO‘s mission-serving programming that we provide to the community. ECHO‘s programs that deliver science and education across Vermont are needed now more than ever.

Here are a few ways that you can help today:
🙌 Visit ECHO to experience the joy of hands-on learning
⚙️ Give to and support our educational programming, ensuring that ECHO remains a cherished resource for all. See our link in bio.
📣 Advocate and reach out to your representatives to emphasize how vital museums are to our communities.

Thank you for your continued support! 💚

#Vermont #BurlingtonVT #ScienceEducation #STEM #ScienceMuseum

📣 Weekly Field Trip Forecast! In this weekly up

📣 Weekly Field Trip Forecast!
In this weekly update, we share how many field trip attendees we’re expecting each day to help you plan your visit to ECHO. This week, we’re expecting a quiet Monday and Wednesday, with higher field trip traffic Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Please note that this forecast only includes field trip attendees and does not predict the total number of guests in the building. For a real-time report of the traffic level in the museum, call the front desk at (802) 864-1848. Most field trips during the school year depart ECHO before 1 pm.

ECHO is proud to be part of Blue Star Museums! Fro

ECHO is proud to be part of Blue Star Museums! From Armed Forces Day, May 17, through September 1, active-duty military personnel and their family members will get into ECHO for free.

#EchoVT #ScienceMuseum #Museum #BurlingtonVermont #VermontMuseum

Join ECHO in celebrating the contributions of the

Join ECHO in celebrating the contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) community in STEM this month! The scientists we are featuring have been selected to be part of the American Association for the Advancement of Science IF/THEN Ambassador program. Learn about the rich histories, cultures, and lasting contributions of AAPI communities across the United States.

Meet Samantha Porter — a digital archeologist specializing in stone tool technology and Neanderthals. In 1975, Samantha’s mother came to the US as a refugee from Vietnam and lived by the words “nothing ventured, nothing had.” Inspired by her mother’s words, Samantha pursued her passion for digital archeology in college, even though she often struggled with its technological aspects. Through her feelings of self-doubt, she continued to follow her passion and now uses these tools, which she once struggled with, to help people gain knowledge about the past.

Samantha currently works at the University of Minnesota in the Advanced Imaging Services for Objects and Spaces lab, empowering the university community to use technology in scientific and creative pursuits.

#ifthen #ifthenshecan @sciencecenters

🚧 Breaking Construction News! 🚧 Passing the

🚧 Breaking Construction News! 🚧
Passing the hydro tests means we are moving on to new habitat building! A crucial part of the Into the Lake exhibit renovation is new habitats for the animals. Habitats are designed with input from ECHO’s Animal Care team and @roto.group exhibit design team to create environments that support the well-being of our animals and facilitate connections between the animals and guests. Models and samples were made to get the design just right. Thank you to @costofwisconsin for being our habitat fabricators. Over the next few weeks, we will be getting down to the final stages of finishing the exhibit!

Join us for Sensory-Friendly Sunday this weekend!

Join us for Sensory-Friendly Sunday this weekend! From 9-10 am, admission is FREE for anyone with sensory-processing differences. The museum will be closed to the general public, and lighting and sounds will be adjusted to allow visitors to enjoy the museum in a calm environment. Interact with ECHO’s exhibits, visit the live animals, and access our @kulturecity sensory backpacks! RSVP at the link in our bio!

#Sensory #SensoryInclusive #Vermont #VermontMuseum #ScienceMuseum #BurlingtonVT #BTV

Did you know? Some of our turtles like time to str

Did you know? Some of our turtles like time to stretch their legs and experience new surroundings. Nicole Dawson, ECHO Facilities & Animal Care Specialist, lets our wood turtle roam the guest space for some exercise and environmental enrichment.

The Baby Turtles and Engineer It exhibit were on the exploration list this time around!

📣 Weekly Field Trip Forecast! In this weekly u

📣 Weekly Field Trip Forecast!

In this weekly update, we share how many field trip attendees we’re expecting each day to help you plan your visit to ECHO. This week, we’re expecting a quiet Monday and Tuesday, with higher field trip traffic Wednesday through Friday.

Please note that this forecast only includes field trip attendees and does not predict the total number of guests in the building. For a real-time report of the traffic level in the museum, call the front desk at (802) 864-1848. Most field trips during the school year depart ECHO before 1 pm.

Champ Vader: If you only knew the power of the dar

Champ Vader: If you only knew the power of the dark side. Champ Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father.

Champ Skywalker: He told me enough! He told me you killed him!

Champ Vader: No. I am your father.

⭐️ May the 4th be with you on Star Wars Day from your friends at ECHO! ⭐️

#MayThe4thBeWithYou #ScienceMuseum #StarWars

🐠🎥 New 3D movie alert!‼️ Ocean Paradise

🐠🎥 New 3D movie alert!‼️ Ocean Paradise 3D premieres today! The movie transports viewers to the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean, showcasing untouched marine national monuments like Palmyra Atoll, Midway Atoll, and Rose Atoll. These blue-green islands, atolls, and coral reefs teem with wildlife and natural beauty, offering a glimpse into pristine environments vital to our planet's health. Through breathtaking footage, the film highlights their critical role in combating environmental threats like climate change, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, overfishing, and plastic pollution. It also delves into the storied histories of these atolls, from their significance in WWII to their ongoing environmental recovery and scientific research.

Check out all our current @dealerdotcom Theater 3D film offerings on our website or click the link in our bio.

#OceanParadise #ScienceMuseum #GiantScreenFilms

It’s #GreenUpDay in Vermont! Every year, communi

It’s #GreenUpDay in Vermont! Every year, communities across Vermont come together on this special day to remove trash from along our roadways and waterways.

This Green Up Day, grab a green bag and join the effort to clean up our beautiful state!

Here are some tips to help you get started:

📋 Visit greenupvermont.org/towndetails to learn about green bag pickup and drop-off.

🤝 Bring a buddy! Invite a friend, family member, or coworker to join the effort.

🧤Wear gloves at all times while collecting trash.

⚠️ If you find a needle or other sharp object, proceed with caution. Visit healthvermont.gov to learn about safe disposal. If you’re in Burlington, use the See. Click. Fix. app to report found sharps.

🚗 Make sure cars can see you. Wear bright clothes and face towards oncoming traffic.

🪲 After Green Up, check yourself thoroughly for ticks.

☁️ Watch out for rain! Keep an eye on the forecast and dress accordingly.

For more information, visit greenupvermont.org or click the link in our bio.

Join ECHO in celebrating the contributions of the

Join ECHO in celebrating the contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) community in STEM this month! The scientists we are featuring have been selected to be part of the American Association for the Advancement of Science IF/THEN Ambassador program. We recognize the wide range of identities and cultures that make up the AAPI community, which includes nearly 50 different ethnic groups. Learn about the rich histories, cultures, and lasting contributions of AAPI communities across the United States.

🌎 Meet Shyla Raghav, @conservationorg's leading expert on climate change. From both California and northern India, Shyla studied applied ecology and international relations at the University of California, Irvine, and earned her master's degree in environmental management from Yale University. She is one of the youngest leaders at the forefront of the US conservation movement and drives the organization's climate change strategy to secure and maximize nature's potential as a climate solution. Shyla was at the forefront of negotiations for the Paris Agreement and has been an integral part of influencing international climate policy. Since then, she has worked for both climate change mitigation as well as adaptation and has been recognized by many as an influential STEM contributor.

#ifthen #ifthenshecan @sciencecenters

New in the ECHO Museum Store: hard enamel pins and

New in the ECHO Museum Store: hard enamel pins and keychains!

Collect all 11 unique pin designs and six keychains featuring adorable illustrations by @pazuzukazoo of some of our iconic animal ambassadors — and one famous local legend!

These designs are only available in-store at the ECHO Museum Store, so stop by the waterfront to collect ‘em all.

🎨 Illustrations by @pazuzukazoo
🌟 Produced by our friends at @pinsourceusa

#enamelpins #vermont #shoplocal

Our next Masks On Sunday is this weekend! From 9 -

Our next Masks On Sunday is this weekend! From 9 - 10 am, discover and explore ECHO in a safe, masked environment during this dedicated time for those in our community who are most at risk — including but not limited to seniors, visitors with disabilities, or those with compromised immune systems. Note: Everyone age 2 and older will be required to wear a mask. During this hour, admission is free. RSVP at the link in our bio!

🚀👽 Last week, campers had a blast in ECHO's

🚀👽 Last week, campers had a blast in ECHO's space explorers camp! Our space imagineers learned about the solar system, explored space technology, and celebrated Earth. They engineered paper rockets and watched them soar with air pressure launches, collaborated in mission teams to design Mars rovers using Rigamajig construction kits, and crafted their own constellation projectors for Friday's glow-in-the-dark celebration.

Did you know that all ECHO camps are led by our ⭐️stellar⭐️ STEM educators? If you are looking for fun STEM and nature camps for your child, entering grades 1-3, check out the openings in our summer camps. Sign up at the link in bio.

#SpaceCamp #ScienceMuseum #Outerspace #Rigamajig

🌎🌱🪐 Thank you to everyone who joined us l

🌎🌱🪐 Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for our annual Earth and Space-tacular Festival! We had so much fun exploring the wonders of our universe and celebrating the return of our beloved Mud Fling. See you again next year!

#vermont #earthday #earthandspace #museum

📣 Weekly Field Trip Forecast! In this weekly u

📣 Weekly Field Trip Forecast!

In this weekly update, we share how many field trip attendees we’re expecting each day to help you plan your visit to ECHO. This week, we’re expecting a quiet beginning to the week with busier days on Thursday and Friday.

Please note that this forecast only includes field trip attendees and does not predict the total number of guests in the building. For a real-time report of the traffic level in the museum, call the front desk at (802) 864-1848. Most field trips during the school year depart ECHO before 1 pm.

♾️ April is Autism Acceptance Month. Join us i

♾️ April is Autism Acceptance Month. Join us in learning more about what acceptance looks like in action! Today we focus on how we can do a better job of accepting neurological differences and reducing the barriers in the workplace. Here are some ideas:
💡 Create multiple options for communication
💡 Provide clear expectations
💡 Allow for sensory breaks + workspace options
💡 Offer flexible work environments + work hours
💡 Provide advanced notice of schedule changes
💡 Set up mentors to new employees for guidance in navigating work culture

Learn more: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/autism-awareness-acceptance/

#Autism #AutismAcceptance #ScienceMuseum #Vermont

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1-802-864-1848
info@echovt.org
1 College St., Burlington, VT 05401
Lake Temp: / Air:

About Us

ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain is a 501(c) non-profit organization. ECHO’s mission is to inspire and engage families in the joy of scientific discovery, wonder of nature, and care of Lake Champlain.

What are your pronouns? ECHO is dedicated to creating a safe space where equity and diversity are sought and celebrated. All staff wear name tags with their pronouns. All visitors should feel welcome letting ECHO Staff know their pronouns.

Find Us

Address: 1 College St., Burlington, VT 05401
Phone: 1.802.864.1848
Toll-Free: 1.877.324.6386
E-mail: info@echovermont.org
Hours: 10 am-5 pm Daily

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