Sparks!
OCTOB E R – NOVE M B E R 2016
A Newsletter for Members and Friends of the Museum of Science
Inside This Issue
• Rediscover a Master
• Experience Extreme Weather
• Members Only
Explore the Genius of Leonardo
Get an in-depth look at the original Renaissance Man in a revealing
new temporary exhibition.
W
hen Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519) is mentioned,
many words come to mind: artist, engineer, inventor,
anatomist, and, of course, genius. All these descriptors
are accurate for a man who was centuries ahead of his time and
left behind a collection of artwork, sketches, and notes that are
still relevant today. See what da Vinci saw, as the Museum celebrates his vision and the fundamental scientific and artistic principles
he discovered. Da Vinci – The Genius, the most comprehensive
exhibition on the master to tour the world, opens October 23!
Enter a Brilliant Mind
Divided into more than 10 compelling areas with over 200 components, the
exhibition takes you inside Leonardo’s mind. In sections such as Father of
Flight, Civil Machines, Aquatic & Hydraulic Machines, and Instruments of
Music, you’ll come face-to-face with life-size replicas of machine inventions
in these fields, including the first concepts for the parachute, helicopter,
bicycle, automobile, and scuba diving equipment that Leonardo envisioned
and wrote about.
Continued on next page
Continued from cover
Most of these ideas could not move from Leonardo’s imagination to the real world during his lifetime because they were
advanced beyond the means of the day. But they served as
blueprints for a distant future.
Enjoy interactive components, including touchscreens of his
many codices (notebooks) where Leonardo’s concepts were
written, often in complicated codes and other means—such
as his mirror writing—that have challenged researchers. Push,
pull, and crank various components to gain a hands-on
understanding of one of the most celebrated persons of the
past millennium.
“We are proud to bring Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest and most intriguing minds of all time, to New England,”
says Ioannis Miaoulis, Museum president and director. “The
Museum is committed to the interconnectedness of science,
innovation, and art. We also know that this exhibition, which
so embodies our mission, is for everyone.”
Mona Lisa Revealed
An exhibit highlight is the Secrets of Mona Lisa, featuring more
than 30 super-magnified, high-resolution sectional images
that explore every aspect of arguably the most famous painting in the world. It also includes 25 of the most compelling
revelations of French engineer and optician Pascal Cotte, who
gained rare access to the painting from the French government and the Louvre, where it was taken out of the frame for
scientific analysis. From this rare opportunity, Cotte learned
dozens of secrets.
Also, view educational animation presentations of The Last
Supper as well as reproductions of other well-known works,
including Virgin of the Rocks and The Annunciation, along
with Bella Principessa, a controversial piece that is the subject
of debate among scholars about whether it is in fact a
Leonardo creation.
Da Vinci – The Genius was created by Grande Exhibitions with
the assistance of the Museo Leonardo da Vinci in Rome and
a number of experts in Italy and France. Don’t miss this rare
opportunity to learn about the master in the most complete
exploration of his work and mind ever created!
This exhibition has been made available by Grande Exhibitions and Pascal Cotte,
France. Free with Exhibit Halls admission. Free for members.
More to Explore in
Da Vinci – The Genius
While you are here, be sure to join Museum educators for the hands-on
activity of the day. Design mechanical structures and explore optics with
a giant camera obscura. See how you measure up to the Vitruvian Man.
And inspire your own curiosity and creativity as you explore da Vinci’s
innovations in art, science, and engineering.
Activity topics will rotate from day to day. See mos.org/daily-schedule for
scheduled activity times.
Da Vinci – The Genius
Opens October 23 | Member Preview October 22
Entering the Eye of the Storm!
New giant-screen film excursion puts you in the middle of the action.
Climate change is one of today’s most important issues.
With rising temperatures comes intensification of weather
in general, including stronger storms and spectacular
fires. See this powerful new reality up close on the IMAX®
Dome screen in Extreme Weather, a National Geographic
production from famed storm chaser and award-winning
filmmaker Sean Casey.
mine how climate change could be intensifying these storms
in frequency and strength. If the vehicle looks familiar, it’s
because this Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV) was featured
in director Sean Casey’s previous film Tornado Alley and the
Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers. You’ll also follow firefighters
in California as they battle infernos that have become all too
common and sadly destroy large sections of pine forest.
Go Where Few Have Gone
Everything’s Connected
Stops along this thrilling but informative adventure include
the edge of a 300-foot-tall calving glacier in Alaska, the front
lines of massive wildfires in the West, and the path of deadly,
yet mesmerizing, tornadoes in the plains.
See how these dangerous situations are connected. Ash from
the fires can reach the poles, which creates a chain reaction
that leads to faster melting. This melting means there is less
reflection of solar heat back into space, which causes ocean
warming resulting in more powerful hurricanes and
possibly tornadoes.
Hop onto a specially armored boat with glaciologist Erin Pettit as she leads young researchers who brave tsunami-sized
shock waves caused by the calving Dawes Glacier and the
danger of falling chunks of ice. They measure the rate of ice
melt so we can get a better understanding of ocean level rise,
a condition expected to worsen over the next century.
Researchers like those in the film are learning more about
this cycle and determining what can be done about it. Join
them—you won’t need special gear, just a sense of curiosity
and wonder to experience Extreme Weather, opening October
15 on the IMAX® Dome screen at the Museum of Science.
Storm Intensification
Meanwhile in Oklahoma, ride with native Justin Walker who
confronts tornadoes so he can install sensory pods to deter-
Extreme Weather
Sponsored by
Opens October 15 in the Mugar Omni Theater
Special Events Add a Twist to
Museum Experience
Enjoy an evening just for members, Haunted Halls, an exclusive sleepover, and more!
October is turning out to be a special time for Museum members! Start off with Member Appreciation Night and a member preview, then wrap up the month by putting on your favorite
Halloween costume and coming here for a fabulous Halloween celebration with Haunted
Halls (appropriate for all ages). A Member Overnight caps off the festivities!
Member Appreciation
Explore your favorite exhibits in a less-crowded setting on Sunday, October 9 from
6:00 — 9:00 p.m. with Member Appreciation Night. Enjoy exclusive activities and
complimentary tickets to the 4-D Theater and Butterfly Garden. The evening is free (entrance
limited to the number of Exhibit Halls admissions permitted with your membership level)
with complimentary parking.
See It First
Members are invited to join us Saturday, October 22 for an all-day preview of our newest
traveling exhibition, Da Vinci – The Genius. See it before it opens to the public! (See
calendar for more details.)
Spooky Science
The annual Haunted Halls celebration, Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30,
includes everything you love about the Museum, but with a hair-raising twist. Participate
in two days of Halloween-inspired hands-on science activities. Go on a scavenger hunt
throughout the building (you could win Omni and Planetarium passes), rock out during a
DJ-hosted dance party, and vie for top honors in our family-friendly costume show.
Pajama Party
The Member Overnight, Saturday, October 29, is a special chance for elementary-schoolage children (ages 6 – 13) to experience the Museum long after closing and into the next
morning. While we can’t promise wax figures coming to life or talking animals, we
guarantee you’ll enjoy less crowded Exhibit Halls, special activities, and a late-hour
Lightning! show. And when it’s time to sleep, you might dream right next to your favorite
exhibit. The fun continues the next day with a giant-screen film in the Mugar Omni Theater.
Member Overnight Details:
• $50 per person. Advance registration required. Space is limited; first come, first served.
• Bring your own meal or visit the Riverview Café.
• Check-in is 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. The program officially ends at 11:00 a.m. the next morning.
Overnight parking rate is $5.
• View the overnight “survival guide” online to help you prepare: mos.org/members.
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or more information on the event and overnight rules: 617-589-0180.
Member Events
Select Dates in October
Archaeology Fair Marks 10 Years
Hear from experts and do your own digging and other activities!
Back in 2007, the Archaeological Institute of America and the
Museum joined forces to create Archaeology Weekend (now
known as the Archaeology Fair) during Massachusetts Archaeology Month. It was an opportunity to connect visitors with
a fascinating field that gives a window into our distant past
through hands-on activities and presentations from experts.
The event was a hit and has been on the Museum calendar ever
since. The 10th annual edition is October 14 and 15, with plenty
of exciting features in store.
Gathering of the Experts
Scores of archaeologists from all over New England will be at
the Museum. Look for them in the Blue Wing, Lower Level.
This is your opportunity to hear directly from the professionals,
including a panel on our Gordon Current Science & Technology
Center stage that will take questions from you and fellow
visitors. Learn about their favorite techniques, sites, and
experiences.
And out on the front plaza, watch with awe as glassblowers
from the nearby Diablo Glass School practice an art that dates
back to the 1st Century BC. They use ancient techniques and
fire to mold glass into various shapes of many sizes!
Dig In!
objects, and piecing together the remains of model artifacts.
Use the artifacts as clues to reconstruct history and make
connections between the people who made these objects and
people who live today. (Discovery Center is designed for
children up to age 8 and their grownups.)
“We love sharing the science of archaeology because it is such an
exciting and multi-disciplinary topic that can engage visitors with
a broad range of interests,” says Museum educator and archaeologist Mike Adams, who runs the event. “Our guest archaeologists use exciting activities and demonstrations to share their
research and fieldwork while highlighting how the latest
science and technology can be used to explore the past.”
Come to the Museum to
celebrate the excitement of
archaeology. Just bring an
open mind and hands
ready for digging. We’ll
supply the tools and
information!
Co-sponsored by the
Archaeological Institute
of America. Free with
Exhibit Halls admission.
For more information:
mos.org/events.
Swing by the Experiment Station in the Discovery Center to
participate in an archaeology excavation. Work like a professional in the field by using tools, digging for unknown
Archaeology Fair
October 14 and 15
Calendar of Events
October – November 2016
transform
Information is subject to change.
Please confirm all dates and times:
617-723-2500, mos.org.
CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
Exlusive Member Event
October
1
Open Style Lab
5
Moving to Mars
9
Member Appreciation Night
Saturday
Wednesday
Sunday
13
Thursday
15
Saturday
Get a sneak peek at prototype designs
for assistive clothing created by engineers,
occupational therapists, and designers.
Presentation: 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 pm.
Showcase: 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Meet finalists for the Mars One initiative
that intends to send the first group of
humans to the red planet. 7:00 p.m. ! Exclusive Member Event—Exhibit Halls
open just for our members! 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
29
Saturday
You’re the Expert and After-Show
4
Women & Girls in STEM
Attend a live taping of the podcast and new
public radio program that explores scientific
research through the lens of comedy.
After-show features stand-up comedy.
Space is limited! 7:00 p.m. ! $
Wednesday
Join more than 20 professional women
in STEM fields for activities, presentations,
and more. (Also November 5.)
Friday
11
SubSpace Project:
Lady Gaga and the Monsters Ball
Friday
Enjoy stunning visuals in the Planetarium
combined with music from Lady Gaga.
Monsters Ball, including DJ, dancing, and
Gaga-inspired surprises, is 18+. Costumes
encouraged! 7:30 p.m. ! $
Join a discussion about Strange Glow by
Timothy J. Jorgensen. Cambridge Innovation
Center. 5:30 p.m. (Also November 10;
Serengeti Rules by Sean B. Carroll)
The Polar Express 4-D Experience®
Opens
4-D Film—Go on an extraordinary adventure
to the North Pole this holiday season on
THE POLAR EXPRESS with the 4-D
version of the Holiday Classic! M ! $
Archaeology Fair
Expert archaeologists show you the inventive
tools, techniques, and even toys from ancient
eras. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Also, Friday,
October 14; 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Film—Journey to the edge of a calving
glacier, the front lines of massive wildfires,
and into the path of deadly tornadoes!
M ! $
Saturday
2
Book Club for the Curious
Extreme Weather Opens
22
November
17
Stories Under the Stars
Hear true stories and live music under
the Planetarium dome. Hosted by
NOVA’s Ari Daniel. 7:30 p.m. ! $
Thursday
Member Preview
Da Vinci – The Genius
Exclusive Member Event—Be one of the
first to see this exhibit featuring insight into
Leonardo’s mind and much more. Opens to
the public October 23.
Member Overnight
Exclusive Member Event—Grab your
toothbrush, pack your overnight bag, and
get ready for special after-hours access
and activities. 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 a.m. ! $
Haunted Halls
Participate in a costume party and enjoy
tricks, treats, and members-only activities.
Also October 30.
SYMBOL KEY
M
Members may reserve tickets in advance and/or
receive discounts.
!
Reservations are either required or
strongly recommended.
$
A fee is associated with this event or exhibit.
Mugar Omni Theater
Featuring New England’s only IMAX® Dome screen.
For showtimes, tickets, and a complete list of films now
playing: 617-723-2500, mos.org. Shows run approximately
50 minutes. Member price: $5.
The Perfect Gift!
FEATURED FILMS
Membership at the Museum of Science fits
everyone on your list! A full year of free Exhibit
Halls admission brings inspiring discoveries and
memorable experiences for grandchildren, nieces,
nephews, and friends of any age.
New! Extreme Weather
Members enjoy these additional benefits:
Sponsored by
Opens Saturday, October 15
Storm chaser and award-winning giant-screen filmmaker
Sean Casey takes you to the edge of a 300-foot-tall
calving glacier, the front lines of massive wildfires, and
into the path of deadly tornadoes.
Last Chance! Wild Africa
Through Friday, October 14
Meet the amazing creatures that call Africa home and
learn the secrets of a land where the real world is more
awe-inspiring than any fiction.
Dolphins
How do we know what we know about dolphins? Join
marine biologists on a deep-sea swim to observe the
lives of dolphins in the wild.
National Parks Adventure
Visit Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Everglades, and more
on the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.
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ree or discounted admission to our special
venues, including temporary exhibits.
•Invitations to exclusive member events.
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eciprocal admission privileges
to over 400 museums, science
centers, and zoos nationwide.
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aluable discounts, special
offers, and much more!
It’s easy to give
a membership:
just call our member
specialists at 617-589-0180;
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily.
Exhibit Halls
4-D Theater
For more information: 617-723-2500, mos.org/exhibits.
For showtimes and tickets: 617-723-2500, mos.org.
Shows run approximately 15 minutes. Member price: $5.
New! Da Vinci – The Genius
Opens Sunday, October 23
See the most comprehensive Leonardo da Vinci
exhibition to tour the world and explore the fundamental
scientific and artistic principles he discovered.
Returning! The Polar Express 4-D Experience®
Yawkey Gallery on the Charles River
THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements © & ™
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s16)
Learn about the natural and engineered worlds with
this permanent exhibition that takes advantage of the
Museum’s unique Charles River location.
Butterfly Garden
Explore a living exhibit filled with sunlight, plants,
and free-flying butterflies. Timed tickets required.
Member price: $5.
Thrill Ride 360°
Take a ride on a roller coaster you design in this
full-motion experience! Timed tickets required.
Member price: $5.
FEATURED PRESENTATION
Live presentations are offered throughout the day
every day in the Exhibit Halls. For current
schedules: 617-723-2500, mos.org/daily.
Da Vinci: Engineering
Through Imagination
Most days in October (some in November);
12:30 p.m.
Today’s scientists and engineers apply many of the
practices Leonardo used 500 years ago—asking
questions, developing models, and designing
solutions. Discover how they contribute to
modern marvels of engineering. Gordon Current
Science & Technology Center
Generously supported by Cabot Corporation.
Opens Friday, November 11
Go on an extraordinary adventure to the North Pole
this holiday season on THE POLAR EXPRESS with
the 4-D version of the Holiday Classic!
Last Chance! SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D:
The Great Jelly Rescue
Through Thursday, November 10
SpongeBob and friends careen through Bikini Bottom,
run afoul of the Flying Dutchman and face off against
the villainous Plankton on a wildly hilarious adventure
to rescue the Jellyfish!
© 2016 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. SpongeBob
SquarePants created by Stephen Hillenburg.
Wild Survivors: Animals in 4-D
Filled with jaw-dropping sequences in digital 3-D with
added special effects, this film takes a never-beforeseen look at the ingenious tactics animals
have developed to survive and thrive
in a danger-filled world.
© BBC 2016
homas & Friends™
T
4-D: Bubbling Boilers!
Join Thomas & Friends in this thrilling 4-D
adventure as they encounter big surprises while
racing to an exciting celebration on Sodor.
© 2016 Gullane (Thomas) Limited.
Adult Offerings
For more information: 617-723-2500, mos.org/events. Funded
in part by the Barbara and Malcolm L. Sherman Fund for Adult
Programs and by the David and Marion Ellis Endowment Fund.
ON BEING HUMAN
Understanding the complexities of the human species.
Moving to Mars
Wednesday, October 5; 7:00 p.m.
Meet five intrepid finalists for the Mars One initiative,
which intends to send the first group of humans on a
one-way mission to the red planet in 2026. Hear about
the process, the reactions of their family and friends, and
why they have volunteered to spend the rest of their lives
separated from everything and everyone they know.
WHEN SCIENCE MEETS ART
Shattering the boundaries between art, science, and technology.
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ree, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell
Institute; register in advance at mos.org/events.
Cosmic Loops
Photo © Bryan Versteeg/Mars One
Thursday, October 6; 7:15 p.m.
Soar through nebulas, galaxies, and star systems
under the Planetarium dome as acoustic double-neck
guitarist Ian Ethan Case combines self-invented
playing techniques necessitated by his multi-layered
compositions. Ian and Stephanie Case take the music
into new dimensions in a rare performance featuring
NYC-based drummer Jharis Yokley.
• Fee: $15; purchase tickets in advance at mos.org/events.
A Reno Family Foundation Symposium
SubSpace Project
Politics, Prejudice & Polarization:
Can We Cross the Divide?
Thursday, October 13; 7:00 p.m.
We are witnessing what seems like an unprecedented
level of divide in our country. What cultural, emotional,
physiological, and behavioral factors are at play? As
we careen toward the 2016 presidential election, peer
inside the science of political ideology, voter behavior,
prejudice, and stereotyping.
• Funding provided by the Reno Family Foundation Trust. This
program is free thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.
• Register in advance at mos.org/events.
Wednesdays, October 12 and November 9; 7:30 p.m.
Plug in to your favorite musical legends as they ignite
the Charles Hayden Planetarium. Tracks from the most
celebrated icons fuse together with stunning visuals in
the ultimate mash-up, engulfing you in an electrifying
visual playlist.
• October 12: Tom Waits
• November 9: Lady Gaga and the Monsters Ball; 18+
• Fee: $10 for Tom Waits and $15 for Lady Gaga, which
includes dance party with guest DJ, cash bar, and other
surprises; purchase tickets at mos.org/events.
Women & Girls in STEM
Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5
Join more than 20 professional women in science, technology,
engineering, and math (STEM) fields for hands-on activities,
presentations, and discussions.
• Free with Exhibit Halls admission; schedule at mos.org/events.
Rock Band Under the Stars
Thursday, October 27; 7:00 p.m.
Come to the Planetarium for a one-of-a-kind experience!
The Museum has partnered with Harmonix to bring you
an immersive evening of Rock Band™ 4. Sign-ups to play
are first come, first served. Or just sit back and enjoy.
Charles Hayden Planetarium
For showtimes and tickets: 617-723-2500, mos.org.
Shows run approximately 35 – 45 minutes. Member price: $5.
FEATURED SHOWS
• Fee: $10; purchase tickets in advance at mos.org/events.
Magic Tree House® Space Mission
You’re the Expert and After-Show
Brother-and-sister duo Jack and Annie embark on
a wondrous journey of adventure and learning to
answer questions about space.
Wednesday, November 2; 7:00 p.m.
Be part of the audience for a live taping of You’re the
Expert, the podcast and new public radio program on
90.9 WBUR, Boston's NPR station. Hosted by Chris
Duffy and produced by Pretty Good Friends, the show
explores scientific research through the lens of comedy.
Stay for the after-show featuring stand-up comedy, light
desserts, and a cash bar.
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ee: $15 ($25 with after-show included);
purchase tickets in advance at mos.org/events.
Undiscovered Worlds:
The Search Beyond Our Sun
The discovery of exoplanets—the thousands of known
planets that orbit stars beyond the Sun—may lead us
closer to finding an Earth-like world. Produced by the Museum
of Science.
Explore: The Universe
Leave the Earth behind and blast off to explore our solar
system, the Milky Way, and beyond. Journey through the
cosmos with a Planetarium educator as your star pilot.
Music Shows
Friday and Saturday evenings
Enjoy Laser Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon, based
on one of rock’s most influential albums, and
SubSpace: Prince, a new generation of music show.
Photo © David Andrako
Stories Under the Stars
Thursday, November 17; 7:30 p.m.
Come to the Charles Hayden Planetarium for an
evening of live storytelling, radio, and music under the
stars hosted by NOVA’s Ari Daniel. Hear true stories that
explore the theme of "Light in the Dark," all unfolding
beneath the canopy of our cosmos.
• Fee: $12; purchase tickets in advance at mos.org/events.
AND MORE
Find out even more offerings at mos.org/events.
Beyond the Telescope: Pluto Revealed
Wednesday, October 5; 7:00 p.m.
Join MIT’s Dr. Richard Binzel, member of the New
Horizons science team, as he explores the latest
discoveries made by this remarkable mission and discusses what's in store for the interplanetary space probe.
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ree, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute;
register in advance at mos.org/events.
Gilliland Observatory
Free, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.
Astronomy After Hours
Through November 18; Fridays; 8:30 – 10:00 p.m.
View stars, planets, the Moon, and other astronomical
phenomena from the Museum garage roof! On cloudy
nights, tour the inside of our Observatory and participate
in astronomy-related activities. For more details, call
617-589-0267, updated by 5:30 p.m. every Friday.
Member Events
For more information, 617-589-0180, mos.org/members.
Member Appreciation Night
Sunday, October 9; 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Enjoy a members-only journey through the Exhibit Halls
in a less-crowded setting with exclusive activities, plus
free Butterfly Garden and 4-D Theater admission!
• Free with complimentary parking. No reservations required.
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ntrance is limited to the number of Exhibit Halls admissions
permitted with your membership level.
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utterfly Garden and 4-D Theater tickets are first come,
first served.
• For more information: 617-589-0180.
Member Preview Da Vinci – The Genius
Member Tips
• Bring your current membership card for immediate
Exhibit Halls entry as well as discounts in the Museum
garage, store, and café.
• Reserve tickets in advance. Call 617-723-2500 or visit
mos.org just a few days before your arrival.
• Take public transportation or have a backup plan for
parking in case the Museum garage reaches capacity.
See mos.org/parking for ideas.
• Avoid peak times by arriving before 10:30 a.m. or after
3:00 p.m. Museum parking is first come, first served.
Garage payment is by credit or debit card only.
• Arrive at least one hour before scheduled shows
to allow for parking. No late entries to timed shows.
Saturday, October 22; 9:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.
Be among the first to see this new temporary exhibit that
brings you into the mind of the famed artist and inventor.
• Free. No reservations required.
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ntrance is limited to the number of Exhibit Halls
admissions permitted with your membership level.
Photo © Ashley McCabe
• For more information: 617-589-0180.
Haunted Halls
Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30
Kick off the festivities with our costume party, then
stick around for tricks, treats, and members-only
activities. What seasonal surprises lurk within our
wings? Haunt our halls all weekend to find out!
• Free. No reservations required.
•E
ntrance is limited to the number of Exhibit Halls admissions
permitted with your membership level.
• For more information: mos.org/members.
Member Overnight
The Museum has adopted a new database and
ticketing system. Set up an online account linked
to your membership and you will be able to:
• Update your contact information
• Purchase and print your tickets at home
Saturday, October 29; 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Bring your sleeping bag for a real-life night at the Museum
featuring special themed activities. The following morning
includes a Planetarium show and Omni film.
• Fee: $50 per person. Advance registration required.
Space is limited; first come,
first served.
• Children must be accompanied by adult
chaperones age 21 or older.
• To purchase tickets:
617-723-2500 or
mos.org/members.
Photo © Nicolaus Czarnecki
Create Your Online Account!
• Email tickets to a mobile device
• Upon renewal you will receive electronic passes you
can redeem online, by phone, or in person.
Go to mos.org/my-account. Enter your email
address and create a password. On the next
screen, enter your name as it appears on your
membership card and click Merge Membership.
Enter only one name, even if there are two members
printed on your card.
Questions? Contact the membership department:
617-589-0180, [email protected].
Events
Archaeology Fair
Friday, October 14; 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 15; 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Unleash your inner Indiana Jones! Featuring historical
artifacts, themed interpretations, and hands-on activities.
For more information: 617-723-2500, mos.org/events.
Fashion Technology with Open Style Lab
Saturday, October 1; Presentation: 11:30 a.m. and
12:30 p.m. Showcase: 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Join us in the Gordon Current Science & Technology
Center for a sneak peek at prototype designs for
assistive clothing. Celebrate the collaborative work of
engineers, occupational therapists, and designers who
participated in an innovative summer program at MIT.
• Free with Exhibit Halls admission.
• Co-sponsored by the Archaeological Institute of America.
Learn more about International Archaeology Day:
archaeological.org/NAD.
• For more information: mos.org/events.
National Chemistry Week Celebration
• Free with Exhibit Halls admission.
Sunday, October 16, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
This year’s theme is “Solving Mysteries Through
Chemistry.” Participate in hands-on activities facilitated
by guest scientists, university students, and members
of the Boston FBI and Boston Police Department crime
lab. Enjoy special demonstrations from world-famous
chemistry professor Dr. Bassam Shakhashiri.
• Free with Exhibit Halls admission.
The Museum of Science gratefully acknowledges the support of our
Premier Partners:
Thursday, October 27; 6:30 p.m.
Since 1964, the Museum of Science has presented
the Washburn Award to those who have made
an outstanding contribution toward the public
understanding and application of science,
technology, engineering, and math.
This year’s distinguished honoree is medical
anthropologist and physician Paul Farmer, who has
dedicated his life to improving health care for the
world’s poorest people—most notably in Haiti. He is
a recipient of numerous honors and a prolific writer.
• Tickets on sale now. To make reservations, please contact
special events at 617-589-0185 or [email protected].
The Museum’s exhibitions and educational programs receive
important support from individual members and donors like you.
Additional support provided by:
The Massachusetts
Cultural Council
Media Partner
Museum of Science 617-723-2500 mos.org
Cover Photo © Ashley McCabe
Images courtesy of openstylelab.com
Bradford Washburn Award
1
Museum News
Photo © TMP Images
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Founders Statue Honors Washburns
A statue depicting Museum founding director
Bradford Washburn and his wife/collaborator,
Barbara, was unveiled during a summer
ceremony. It was produced by well-known
local sculptor Robert Shure and stands on
the plaza in front of the Museum. Among
those in attendance for the unveiling were the
Washburn children (including overseer Betsy
Washburn Cabot), grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren as well as Shure and Rebecca
B. Saunders, who is one of the people—along
with Preston H. Saunders and Dorothy J. and
David B. Arnold Jr.—whose generosity made
this statue possible.
Museum Receives Award
for Pixar Exhibit
The Science Behind Pixar exhibition was a
hit at the Museum during its seven-month
run last year, and it also has received notice
from those outside the Boston metro area.
At its annual meeting in Washington, DC,
the American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
honored this institution with an Excellence
in Exhibition award for special achievement
in our planning process. The AAM wrote,
“The judges were impressed specifically by the
processes used to share the exhibition content:
evaluation, prototyping, universal design—
providing learning opportunities
in science.”
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Museum Gets Social
Are you one of the Museum’s 100,000
Facebook followers? Those in the know use
the social media platform for an insider’s
look at our many exhibits, films, and
activities. Last spring, marketing’s Corinna
Graham represented the institution at a
Small and Medium Business Council at
Facebook’s California headquarters. Chosen
for our passion, creativity, and dedication to
the community, the Museum was recognized
for the innovative ways we use social media
to connect with our audience. Graham and
the other business representatives learned
about new and upcoming Facebook features.
Follow us to see more!
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Museum educator Susan Heilman, PhD,
traveled to northeastern Wyoming in July
to help excavate the fossilized remains of
a Sauropod dinosaur (long tail, long neck),
possibly of the Apatosaurus genus from the
late Jurassic period about 150 million years
ago. Heilman joined Dr. Brooke Haiar from
Lynchburg College in Virginia as well as
some of her students and employees from
the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
Fossils found included leg bones, foot bones,
tail bones, and at least one unidentified bone
that Heilman found and excavated herself!
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4
Digging for Dinos
Travel Destination: Mars
The Museum was awarded a $912,000 grant
from NASA to produce a Planetarium show
and a large-scale, hands-on Design Challenge
bringing to life the technological feat of safely
journeying humans to Mars and back. Planetarium audiences will see the vast engineering challenges and revolutionary technological
solutions involved in this unprecedented mission, while visitors will be introduced to the
engineering design cycle by building, testing,
and improving a design solution to a unique
Mars exploration problem.
General Information
EXHIBIT HALLS HOURS
• Saturday – Thursday
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(Open until 7:00 p.m. July 5 – Labor Day)
• Friday
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
Closed
Subject to change and extended during
Massachusetts school vacations. For
updates: mos.org/hours.
TICKETS AND MEMBERSHIP
Advance reservations recommended.
For current prices and to purchase
tickets: mos.org.
For membership information: 617-589-0180,
[email protected], mos.org/members.
Photo © Nicolaus Czarnecki
DIRECTIONS AND PARKING
• P LAN AHEAD A state project on the Longfellow Bridge is rerouting traffic in front of the
Museum. Please allow extra travel time or consider taking public transportation. For updates:
mos.org/traveltips.
• Address 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114
• Detailed Directions mos.org/directions
• Parking Museum garage parking is available first come, first served. Members receive a discount.
BOSTON DUCK TOURS
Tickets sold on the front plaza. DUCKs depart from the driveway near the T. rex. Tours run daily,
April – November. For reservations: 617-267-3825, bostonducktours.com.
QUESTIONS? Call Science
Central at 617-723-2500.
Sparks! OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2016
MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
Director: Carl Zukroff
Editors: Christopher DelConte,
Jonathan Friedman
Art Director: Lori Sartre
EVENT PLANNING
Host your next event at the Museum of Science! Food services provided by Wolfgang Puck
Catering. For information: 617-589-0125 (Monday – Friday), [email protected]. Members are
eligible for special rates.
ACCESSIBILITY
For information or accommodation requests: 617-589-3102, [email protected],
mos.org/accessibility. Please request ASL interpreters at least two weeks in advance.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Designers: Fanny Dines, Nicole Guzzo,
Lianne Stoddard
CONTRIBUTORS
Anna Brophy, Gail Jennes, Gabriel Mosse,
William Walsh
Sparks is published bimonthly.
Circulation: 55,000.
© 2016 Museum of Science, Boston.
All rights reserved.
Field Trips
For information about Museum field trips and other opportunities for educators, such as the
Teacher Partner Program: [email protected], mos.org/educators.
Traveling Programs
Bring a fun and interactive Museum program to your pre K – 8 school or community center!
For information and reservations: 617-589-0354, [email protected],
mos.org/travelingprograms.
STAY CONNECTED WITH
THE MUSEUM COMMUNITY!
For updates, special offers, and fun science:
Member
E-News at [email protected]
@
Nonprofit Org.
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PAID
Salem, NH
Permit #151
Da Vinci – The Genius
See cover story
Sparks!
OCTOB E R – NOVE M B E R 2016
A Newsletter for Members and Friends of the Museum of Science
MEMBERS RECEIVE A DISCOUNT
The Polar
Express 4-D
Experience
®
Special holiday showings
begin November 11.
THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements
© & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s16)