Every Tues.–Sun., except Nov. 26. All age 6 & up invited into the museum’s labs to use scientific tools and museum specimens to answer questions and solve problems. The newest program examines how membranes can help solve water shortages. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 1105 North University. Free. (734) 764–0478, ummnh.org. 

Every Tues., except Nov. 24. Talks by U-M and visiting scholars.

Nov. 3: Columbia University Chinese studies professor Gavin Healy on “Foreign and Diaspora Tourism to Mao-Era China.”

Nov. 10: U-M Chinese studies professor Pär Cassel discusses a series of anti-missionary riots in the 1890s in “The Sacred Edict as Hate Speech: Griffith John, the Hunan Riots, and Qing Imperial Ideology.”

Nov. 17: U-M history professor Gyatso Marnyi on “Chinese and Muslim Refugees on the Tibetan Frontier, 1860–1965.”

Noon–1 p.m., 1010 Weiser Hall, 500 Church. Free. (734) 764–6308, [email protected].

Every Tues., except Nov. 24. All invited to play the classic word game, using the 5th-edition Scrabble dictionary. Bring your own set, if you like. 3:30–8 p.m., Arbor Brewing Company Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsi. Free. [email protected], meetup.com/ann-arbor-scrabble-meetup. 

Every Mon.–Thurs., except Nov. 24–26. U-M’s highly disciplined 200+ member marching band or sections thereof can be seen and heard practicing on the new Elbel Field (across the street from the old Elbel Field). All welcome to find a spot in the bleachers and get a sneak preview of upcoming halftime shows. Rehearsals usually last 1–2 hours. 4:45 p.m., Hill at Fifth Ave. Free. (734) 764–0582.

Nov. 3, 8, 16, & 22 (different times). A chance for adults to learn the basics of printing with movable type. 5–7 p.m. (Nov. 3 & 16), noon–2 p.m. (Nov. 8), and 1–3 p.m. (Nov. 22), AADL Downtown, Secret Lab. Free. (734) 327–4200.  

Every Tues. All invited to play board games, assemble a puzzle, paint miniatures, or try a tabletop role-playing game, all in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. 5–9 p.m., 2459 W. Stadium. Free. (734) 929–5877, sylvanfactory.com.

Every Tues. Moderate-paced ride, 25 to 35 miles, along the less-traveled unpaved roads around Chelsea. Bring a chair and a beverage or snack for a post-ride tailgate. See aabts.org for weather cancellations or delays. 6 p.m. sharp, meet at Aberdeen Bike and Outdoors, 1101 Main, Chelsea. Email [email protected] for each week’s route. Free. (313) 980–5277.  

Every Sun.–Thurs. (different times). All invited to work on their knitting, crochet, weaving, and embroidery projects. 1–3 p.m. (Sun.) & 6–8 p.m. (Mon.–Thurs.), 401 N. Fourth Ave. Free. (734) 780–7867.