The Bournemouth Natural Science Society Open Day and wildlife gardening event, in collaboration with the Dorset Wildlife Trust, is this Saturday. 10am-4pm.

It's free and will have a range of activities for all ages, so if you're looking for something different to do this weekend, here's our pick of what's on offer.

Browse collections not normally open to the public

Bournemouth Echo:

Viewings at the museum are usually by appointment only. So take advantage and browse some of the 100 years worth of collections, including a geology room with fossils such as ammonites, a range of natural history specimens, some of which are arranged in a ‘diorama’, and drawers and drawers of butterflies and beetles.

Catch a cockroach flying demonstration

Bournemouth Echo: A youngster holds a cockroach

No, we're not really sure either. But some of the BNSS members will be bringing in some of their live insect collections, including cockroaches for flying demonstrations. There will also be insect-based children’s craft activities and homemade cakes in the Museum Room overlooking the garden.

Go pond dipping

Bournemouth Echo: Emma Richards, seven, James Wood, two, and Jenny McKniff, six, see what they have caught in their nets as they try pond dipping.

The museum has two ponds, one of which will be dipped at 11.30am and 2pm.

Get more butterflies in your garden

Bournemouth Echo: Butterflies in the Glasshouse

Butterfly Conservation will be doing a children’s activity called ‘munching caterpillars’, including planting birds foot trefoil for butterflies which you can take away.

... then admire the museum's vast collection of specimens

Bournemouth Echo:

Learn how to make a ladybird house or bird feeder from things you have lying around

Bournemouth Echo: The ladybird: usually viewed with affection

DWT will have a display of wildlife homes made from upcycled wood, and will also be showing people how to make ladybird homes, bird boxes and bird feeders out of cardboard, plastic bottles and other things you may have around the house. DWT will also be hosting a wildlife gardening Q&A session at 12noon.

Pick up one of these free gadgets and save money on your water bill

Bournemouth Echo:

Sembcorp will be giving away free water efficiency devices.

Get up close with an 2,500  year old Egyptian mummy

Bournemouth Echo:

Tahema is one of the stars of the museum's Egyptology collection. The collections is named after former BNSS president, Lord Grenfell, a former commander of the Egyptian army. You can see a model of her head - created by CAT-scanning the sarcophagas - and see the rest of the collection, including a model bakery scene and a model funerary boat from the tombs at Aswan.

More information about the BNSS here