Between midterms and making plans for spring break, there was something missing from what we as Michigan State Spartans needed: downtime. We were all looking forward to some for spring break, but we also needed some provided for us while we were still preparing for midterms. Luckily for us, the University Activities Board (UAB) knew just what we needed.
The UAB had a special night planned, filled with games, trivia and even dinosaurs! A Night at the MSU Museum is what they called it, and any student with a valid ID could enter, and bring a guest.
The event took place Saturday, February 25, and went from 9 p.m. to midnight. Upon arrival, a line had already begun to form from the door down the sidewalk, almost reaching to the crosswalk to the MSU Library. The wait in the cold night was worth it because the heat and anticipation built upon finally getting through the door.
After being scanned in, you received a packet for a scavenger hunt around the museum. This packet contained riddle-like questions you had to figure out as you walked around each of the three levels of the museum. You also received one free raffle ticket to put into the three separate prize pots to win a dinosaur onesie, dinosaur slippers or even a full dinosaur costume! After that, you had free range of going where you wanted and enjoying what the museum had to offer.
Throughout the museum, there were tables set up with UAB members running different activities. There was trivia, different games and even a table where you got to choose one of three activities: coloring a ceramic dinosaur, carving out a small dinosaur from an excavation kit or creating your own sand terrarium. As students made their choices, they sat along the low-slung wall beneath the actual dinosaur within the museum. It was a fun sight to see: students coloring and laughing, enjoying themselves like kids again, right before midterms.
Also, in the hallway past the crafting area, there was a long line with anxious and excited students who all wanted to see the live reptiles that each could pet and hold.
Past this, within a back classroom, they also had the movie "Night at the Museum" playing where you could sit at a table and just relax in the quiet room.
In addition to an awesome event, the staff was also very interactive and helpful. They guided you if you were looking for something or friendly as you came up to the different tables. There was also a snack of delicious dinosaur gummies provided for each attendee, as well as a few freebies upon entry like UAB stickers, pens and a UAB punch card for their events.
As a UAB hosted event, they really put the effort into making this night enjoyable and as fun as they could for the students of MSU. It was a great night out that any stressed student could come and relax at. Thank you UAB!
