MARION — The Marion Natural History Museum will host a variety of programs for the students enrolled in its after school activities. 

On Sept. 18 the museum will host an Open House on a half day of school to allow students to get to know the museum, build with legos and hear about its fall programs. The space will be open from noon to 4 p.m. with free admission. 

On Sept. 25 the Marion Natural History Museum afterschool program will use its seining net to explore the water at the Harbormaster’s Beach. Participants should plan to get wet, and parents should plan to pick up their children at the beach. 

On Oct. 9 Brian Bastarache from Bristol Agriultural School will share his turtle knowledge. Students will learn about what kind of turtles live in Massachusetts, which turtle builds a house to hide in, why one turtle is called a “stinkpot,” and what to do if they encounter a turtle.

The session on Oct. 23 will focus on what wildlife in Marion do to survive the winter, and will include both a lecture and an observation session in the woods. 

Dawn Gates-Allen of the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association will visit the Marion Natural History Museum on Nov. 13 to share what the life of a bog-owner is like. Participants will also have the chance to do some experiments with cranberries. 

The Marion Natural History Museum will wrap up the year with its popular annual holiday party on Dec. 11. Students can have refreshments and make holiday gifts out of recycled materials.

Registration forms for the afterschool program are available at www.marionmuseum.org