Teachers receive professional development hours for participation in Exploring Alabama field trips.

December 9, Saturday

Workshop: Christmas Crafts with Natural Materials and Recycled Items. Make scraps of material into festive ornaments and unique decorations. Creative fun for the whole family! Smith Hall, The University of Alabama Museum of Natural History, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $25. Details: 205-348-9473.

December 9, Saturday

Christmas: Open house reception. Tour The University of Alabama's only surviving building of the original campus, decorated for the holidays in 19th century style. Refreshments will be served. Gorgas House, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $5. Details: 205-348-5906 or 348-7551.

December 9, Saturday

Astronomy: Explore winter constellations, distant star clusters, nebulas, and galaxies while peering into deep space alongside Alabama Museum of Natural History naturalists and astronomers at the prehistoric Native American site of Moundville Archaeological Park. Moundville, Ala. 7 p.m.-midnight. $25. Details: 205-348-9473.

Date TBA

Lecture: Natural History with the Experts features "Swamp Archaeology in Alabama" with Dr. Ian Brown. Hear tales of the archaeological adventures Dr. Brown has had investigating in such wild and remote areas as the famous Bottle Creek site (AD 1250-1750) inside the Mobile-Tensaw delta. 205 Smith Hall, The University of Alabama Museum of Natural History, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 10 a.m. $2. Details: 205-238-9473.

January 10-March 15, 2001

Exhibit: Save the Sheep features works of art and craft by contemporary hand spinners using wool from rare and endangered breeds of sheep, and emphasizes the need to conserve these resources for the future. "Wooly Workshops" will accompany this exhibit. Smith Hall, The University of Alabama Museum of Natural History, Tuscaloosa, Ala., $2. Details: 205-348-7550.

February 3, Saturday

Workshop: Introduction to Felting. Make felt from natural wool and complete a small project to take home. Creative fun for ages 10 and older. Smith Hall, The University of Alabama Museum of Natural History, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $25. Details: 205-348-9473.

February 10, Saturday

Workshop: Introduction to Spinning. Operate a hand spindle to spin yarns the old-fashioned way, and watch demonstrations of other techniques using a spinning wheel and an Indian Charkha. Creative fun for ages 10 and older. Smith Hall, The University of Alabama Museum of Natural History, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $25. Details: 205-348-9473.

February 24, Saturday

Workshop: Introduction to Twining. Learn how to make items from bags to bracelets using this simple weaving technique in use for more than 9000 years, and take home your own handmade souvenir. Creative fun for ages 10 and older. Smith Hall, The University of Alabama Museum of Natural History, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $25. Details: 205-348-9473.

March 3, Saturday

Workshop: Introduction to Weaving. Handweave fabric on small hand looms to make your own work of art to take home. Materials provided. Creative fun for ages 10 and older. Smith Hall, The University of Alabama Museum of Natural History, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $25. Details: 205-348-9473.

March 10, Saturday

Workshop: "Sheep to Shawl." Discover the whole process of making fabric from a wool fleece shorn from a sheep on site! This hands-on activity features not only shearing a sheep, but also preparing the fleece for spinning into yarn, and weaving a finished fabric. Creative fun for ages 10 and older. Smith Hall, The University of Alabama Museum of Natural History, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $25. Details: 205-348-9473.

March 23-April 2, 2001

Travel: Egypt Study Tour. Cruise the Nile with overnight lodging in Zurich, Switzerland. This study tour, led by Dr. Boyce Driskell, senior archaeologist, is a unique learning opportunity with an option to earn course credit. The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala., deposit $350 by December 20. Details: 205-348-0090.

March 29-31, 2001

Moundville Knap-In: A stone tool making meet that hosts flintknappers from around the country who sell their wares and demonstrate the ancient art of making arrowheads, spear points, and thousands of other tools from stone. Spear throwing and primitive bow shooting contests round out a fun-filled outing at one of North America's most pristine Mississippian Indian mound sites. Moundville Archaeological Park, Moundville, Ala., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $4/adults. $2/children. Details: (205) 371-2234.

May 11-12, 2001

Arts and Crafts Fair: Native American Heritage Days features unique Indian arts and crafts, music and dance. Native Americans demonstrate and sell their work. See performances by traditional Choctaw and pow-wow style dancers. Moundville Archaeological Park, Moundville, Ala., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $4/adults. $2/children. Details: (205) 371-2234.

May 14-30, 2001

Travel: Yucatan Study Tour. Enjoy fine restaurants, lively entertainment, and cultural events. Visit eight of the most important ruins of the Yucatan with five University of Alabama faculty members to study the complex and ever-changing society in Mexico. Course credit available. The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala., deposit $500 by March 1. Details: (205) 348-9826.

May 28-June 1, 2001

Kids: Indian Summer Day Camp. Ages 10 to 16 enjoy learning Native American arts, crafts, and lifeways at Moundville Archaeological Park. Pottery, basketry, Indian foods, tools, weapons, and games are a few topics explored. Bring a lunch and drinks. Snacks are provided daily. Meet at Smith Hall, The University of Alabama Museum of Natural History, Tuscaloosa, AL, for transportation to Moundville, Ala., 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. $125. Details: (205) 371-2234.

June 10-July 7, 2001

Field Trip: Expedition 23. Join our camp at Moundville Archaeological Park as we begin our archaeological fieldwork under the guidance of Dr. Jim Knight of The University of Alabama. This will be a rare and exciting opportunity to excavate at one of the preeminent archaeological sites in North America. Moundville Archaeological Park, Moundville, Ala., $400/week. Details: (205) 348-1516.

July 23-27, 2001

Kids: Indian Summer Day Camp. Ages 10 to 16 enjoy learning Native American arts, crafts, and lifeways at Moundville Archaeological Park. Pottery, basketry, Indian foods, tools, weapons, and games are a few topics explored. Bring a lunch and drinks. Snacks are provided daily. Meet at Smith Hall, The University of Alabama Museum of Natural History, Tuscaloosa, Ala, for transportation to Moundville, Ala., 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. $125. Details: (205) 371-2234