In Ben Stiller’s 2006 movie, “Night at the Museum,” a curse makes the exhibits come to life, making for one mischievous evening.

Fortunately, for 49 students from Welches School, the night of Wednesday,
May 17 wasn’t quite so dramatic when they trekked into Portland to spend a
night at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI).

That’s not to say that there weren’t some disruptions.

“It was rough, it was very rough, a lot of people were snoring,” said Malakai
Roches, 11, a fifth grader, who then added, “I actually feel well rested.”

The school used to go on the field trip on a yearly basis, noted fourth/fifth
grade teacher Sharon Nobel, but stopped in 2011. But at the urging of fifth
grade teacher Kalee Adams, fourth and fifth graders, along with Nobel, Adams
and parent chaperones, broke out their sleeping bags and set up camp among
OMSI’s exhibits in the science hall.

“I wanted to sleep at OMSI, who doesn’t want to experience that?” Adams
said.

Students enjoyed an evening of dinner, a planetarium showing, a trip through
the LEGO exhibit, “The Art of the Brick,” and lessons on a variety of subjects,
including black bears, erosion, pollution, earthquakes and tsunamis. Four total
schools and approximately 250 students took part in the event, which OMSI
offers throughout the winter and spring.

“They do a good job of keeping the kids engaged,” Nobel said. “It’s fun to see
the kids in a different light, out of the classroom. They get to see us
differently, bed head and all.”

Fifth grader Chloe Sperr, 10, noted her favorite activity was learning about
the black bears, during which they had to collect poker chips to secure food,
water and a safe place to hibernate.

“That was kind of fun,” she said.

Fifth grader Elliott Chesla, 11, said that while the group got access to
everything, she most enjoyed the tour of the submarine and the planetarium
show. And a (mostly) good night of rest.

“I slept pretty good, but we didn’t fall asleep until like one o’clock in the
morning,” said Chesla, adding that they got up at 6:50 a.m. “And I’m not
tired one bit.”