Free February museum admission returns for Valencia County and Isleta residents

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science has a lot of family fun and exciting events coming up, including free admission throughout the month of February for Valencia County and Isleta Pueblo residents.

“I think it’s really important to know about the world around us, in particular our own backyard, and we want to give those opportunities for folks throughout the state to come and learn and appreciate how unique and wonderful New Mexico is,” said Stephanie Lukowski, NMMNHS director of education.

This is the third year the museum has partnered with the Los Lunas Meta Data Center, who sponsors the program, to offer free admission for Valencia County and Isleta Pueblo residents. Lukowski said this year is extra special because there will be several special events, including the opening of a new permanent exhibit.

“We’ve been working on it for quite some time, and it’s going to be really exciting. It’s called ‘Ancient Life.’ It’s about all the really cool critters that lived on land and in this sea before the dinosaurs lived,” said Lukowski. “Fossils are going to be on display that we haven’t had on display ever. It’s kind of weird to think about New Mexico as being part of the ocean, but for a good chunk of that period of time, the southern part of New Mexico was under the sea.”

The exhibit will be opening to the public on Saturday, Feb. 15, on the second floor of the museum. In celebration of the opening, Lukowski said they will be having a community day on Sunday, Feb. 16, where every New Mexico resident can get in for free and there will also be a beach party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Since a big part of the Paleozoic, which is the time period that the new exhibit is covering, is about the transition from land to sea, we’re going to have a beach party full of hands-on, engaging activities for everyone who comes through during that time,” she said.

Another anticipated special event Valencia County and Isleta Pueblo residents can enjoy for free is the Parker Punch-Palooza from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, which is about NASA’s two newest missions to study the sun.

“These satellites are going to learn how the sun’s corona (outer atmosphere) transitions to the solar wind, so how the sun touches us,” said Lukowski. “We’re going to have info tables, giveaways, activities and we’re going to have scientists from both the PUNCH and the Parker Solar Probe mission talking to the public for free. There will also be a special solar planetarium show that day.”

On Saturday, Feb. 8, Meta’s virtual reality team will also be on-site for special VR headset demonstrations to kick off the month of sponsored attendance. Valencia County and Isleta Pueblo residents will also be able to watch immersive planetarium shows for free throughout February.

“We’re really excited to have everyone come,” said Lukowski. “We’ve been working hard on planning these fun events, the new exhibit is going to be wonderful and I think everyone’s going to really enjoy it.”

For free admission, Valencia County and Isleta Pueblo residents just need to present a driver’s license or any other proof of residency to the museum’s front desk to participate. For more information visit, nmnaturalhistory.org.