Mark the calendar for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20 and 21, to take advantage of a couple special programs being put on through MAPS, the Modesto Area Partners in Science.

At Modesto Junior College West Campus, Sierra Hall 132, the program Birds: From Museums to the Wild will be offered on Friday, Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m.

This free event features world-traveling ornithologist Sean Lyon, who will share his personal path into avian research and his experience from around the globe. In the talk, he also discusses the intersection of time, history and the living world through the lens of birds.

Saturday, Sept. 21 will be a special day, with a huge free family fun and learning event, set on the MJC West Campus in the science center, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Live animal shows will be offered, including Reptile Ron, Uncle Jer’s Traveling Bee Show, and an appearance by Sloppy Joe (a 75-pound tortoise) along with MJC student clubs and professors with hands-on science activities. There will be face painting, a photo fun booth, science selfie stations, Dr. Al Chemist and the Wizards and Bubble Blast, plus free admission to the Great Valley Museum.

Families from throughout the region are invited and encouraged to attend these special September events.

MAPS is supported in part by the City of Modesto, MJC, the MJC Foundation, Stanislaus County Office of Education, Great Valley Museum, and the Stanislaus County Library.