JUNE  – JULY 2013

Sparks!A Newsletter for Members and Friends of the Museum of Science

It stretches 14,000 miles—through forests, alongside lakes and bogs, and across three mountain ranges. Many said it would never

work. It almost went bankrupt. But engineers and luck prevailed, and the Canadian Pacific Railway ranks today among the marvels of engineering. Ride the rails yourself in Rocky Mountain Express, a new IMAX® film now showing in the Mugar Omni Theater.

All Aboard!

The new film follows the original route of the old railway as it

tells the tale of how this ribbon of steel came to be—and how

it became the backbone of a new nation. From the crumbling

sandstone of the Canadian West, past unbridgeable lakes and Continued on next page

Inside This Issue 

• The Engine That Could

• Big Shoes to Fill

• Try This at Home!

Ticket to RideJourney back to the age of steam and experience the ingenuity that shaped a nation.

over wide, sweeping rivers, an authentic period train takes you

on a journey once deemed impossible. Gorgeous giant-format

aerial shots swoop you through the chasms and over the dizzy-

ing peaks of our neighbor to the north.

Montreal filmmaker Stephen Low used a helicopter and a

gyro-stabilized camera mount to get those shots. The crew also

fixed cameras all over the train, so that you feel the rush as the

Empress, a restored steam locomotive, speeds down the line.

Three-dimensional maps and carefully restored archival im-

ages enrich the experience.

Next Stop: Unification

In 1871 the Canadian government had extracted a promise

from British Columbia to join the fledgling nation. The prov-

inces would unite to form a dominion from sea to sea—and

Canada would build a railroad all the

way across. At the time, the interior

of the huge new country was largely

unmapped. Rocky Mountain Express

brings to life the story of William Cor-

nelius Van Horne, the American-born

railroad executive who saw the project

through floods, avalanches, and near

bankruptcy.

Under Van Horne, thousands of work-

ers from around the world made their

mark on a harsh landscape in the form

of towering trestles and precarious cliff

cuts. Many perished in the endeavor.

When financier Donald Smith drove

that last iron spike in 1885, it was the

The Empress by the Numbers

She roars in gleaming blue-gray

through a cloud of steam. One of the

most compelling characters in Rocky

Mountain Express is the engine known

as the Empress. Named Locomotive

2816 when she debuted in 1930, the

engine underwent a three-year rebuild

and re-entered active service as an

ambassador for the Canadian Pacific

Railway. Here are some key facts and

figures for this historic steam engine,

the last of its kind.

• Years in active service: 1930 – 1960

• Weight: 360,000 pounds

• Length: 91 feet and 1 inch

• Boiler pressure: 275 pounds per square inch

• Operating speed: Over 70 miles per hour

• Original technical drawings used in the rebuild: 800

• Miles logged: More than 2 million

• Cost of the rebuild: More than $2 million

Continued from cover

Rocky Mountain Express  Now Showing in the Mugar Omni Theater

Sponsored by

end of one story but the beginning of

a nation. The great Canadian Pacific

Railway was complete.

End of the Line?

But how would the railroad pull

through? Snowstorms, avalanches,

mudslides, and fires all took a toll

on the young railroad. The secret

to survival ultimately lay within the

majestic mountains and vast prairies

that workers had toiled to traverse.

Tourists were drawn to what would

become Banff National Park, one of

the most beautiful places on Earth.

The railroad enticed immigrants to the

prairie and emerged as a critical link

in the development and settlement of

western Canada. Manufacturers in the

East could now count on raw materials

coming in from the West.

Ultimately, the engineering feat

that strung a nation together would

endure. Recapture the thrill of the age

of the iron horse in Rocky Mountain

Express.

Rocky Mountain Express is directed by Stephen Low and produced by Age of Steam Film Company Inc.

Uncovering the History Beneath Our FeetA permanent outdoor exhibit exposes the region’s Jurassic past.

When you think of dinosaur discoveries, do you picture

paleontologists brushing dirt off bones in the arid West?

Dinosaurs once roamed throughout the East Coast, and they

left their mark here too. In fact, as the Museum’s newly over-

hauled Dinosaur Footprints exhibit reminds us, New England

is home to one of the richest concentrations of dinosaur

tracks in the world!

Set in Stone

Dinosaur track sites are found in all parts of the world except

Antarctica, and fossilized prints far outnumber skeletal fos-

sils for these ancient animals. The Connecticut Valley—a

100-mile-long stretch that extends through Connecticut and

Massachusetts—is known worldwide for its wealth of tracks.

Last year Museum staff members made the trek down to

Dinosaur State Park in Connecticut, where they made casts of

actual dinosaur footprints. The trackway they installed along

the Museum’s entryway gives you a peek at the

past, when a whole different set of species

walked the Earth.

Learning the Steps

What can paleontologists tell from a

footprint? A lot! The prints in the Dino-

saur Footprints exhibit were most likely

made by a Dilophosaurus (dye-LO-fuh-

SAWR-us) or a similar two-legged carnivorous

dinosaur. Similarities among bipedal animals (those that

walk on two legs) allow scientists to make educated guesses

about body structure and behavior from tracks alone. For

one, bipedal dinosaurs generally have a leg length that is four

times their foot length. Scientists can use that information

to calculate an animal’s approximate size and, from a series

of tracks, how fast a dinosaur was traveling—whether it was

walking, trotting, or running. They can also tell how social

a particular species might have been, if it roamed alone or

walked in groups, and how many babies a mother might have

had in tow.

Huge new dinosaur trackways are still being discovered today.

Who knows what mysteries scientists will unlock next from

these traces of the past?

First ImpressionsDid you know that the first recorded evidence of dinosaurs

in North America came from Massachusetts? In 1802, a boy

unearthed a sandstone slab imprinted with mysterious tracks

while working on his family’s South Hadley farm. A local

professor and pioneer in the field of paleontology, Edward

Hitchcock, believed the tracks were made by a gigantic

ancient bird; in 1869, scientists determined these were

dinosaur tracks, and today we know that dinosaurs and birds

are closely related.Rocky Mountain Express  Now Showing in the Mugar Omni Theater

H2 Oh Cool! Refreshingly simple science for a sizzling summer.

Whether it’s a hard block of ice, a steaming hot bath, or hidden in the air around us, we can find water almost anywhere. While this common compound may seem ordinary, it has some amazing abilities. Test them out for yourself!Color Jumpers Rushing water is a mighty force that sculpts our landscapes,

but even slow-moving water can transform our world.

Spend a bit of time and watch how water’s “stickiness”—its

properties known as cohesion and adhesion—can create

dramatic changes.

1 Arrange five empty glasses in a row. Add blue food coloring to the first, red to the third, and yellow to the fifth; fill these halfway with water and stir well. Leave the second and fourth glasses empty.

2 Rip a paper towel in half and fold or twist it, making a wick. Make four of these, placing them so they bridge each glass. (See picture above.)

This experiment takes a while, so be sure to put it where

it won’t be in the way! Check it in a half hour. Do you see

anything happening? How does it

look after several hours? After

12 hours? What do you think

causes this?

Icebergs Ever hear the phrase, “90% of an iceberg

is underwater”? Well, the reason for that is

water’s strange property of expanding when

it freezes. (Most substances do the opposite!)

1 Fill a balloon with water and place it in the freezer overnight. (For less mess, place the balloon inside a bowl or other container in the freezer.)

2 Take the balloon out in the morning and observe that the balloon has cracked! Peel off the balloon so you are left with a block of ice.

3 Place the ice block in a bowl and fill it to the rim with liquid water. Notice how the ice floats mostly under the water, but some floats above?

Do you think the bowl

will overflow once the

ice melts? Watch and

find out! What do

you think this has

to do with water’s

ability to expand

when frozen?

wANT To TRY MoRE ExpERIMENTS?Drop by the Suit/Cabot Lab for the Hands-On Laboratory, in the Museum’s Red

Wing, Lower Level, on Saturday afternoons from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. through Labor

Day. (For up-to-date schedules and topics, check mos.org/daily.)

Cloud work We can’t tell you how to save time in a bottle, but this

project can show you how to capture a cloud in one. Be

sure to wear safety glasses for this experiment; it puts

contents under pressure.

1 Take an empty, clear 2-liter plastic bottle—an empty soda bottle works just fine—and add only enough water to cover the very bottom (a half inch or so does the trick).

2 Insert the nozzle from a bicycle pump into the bottle’s opening and hold it tightly in place—you don’t want the air to escape. Pump about 5 or 10 times and then quickly remove the nozzle from the opening. Did you get a visible cloud?

3 Repeat the experiment, but this time pump 15 to 20 times.

4 Try the experiment again using a few drops of rubbing alcohol instead of water. Here’s a tip: after you add the alcohol, swirl it around in the bottle, coating the sides.

Did you get a different result

using the alcohol? Does the

cloud form when the bottle is

under high pressure or low

pressure? Do you think you

are seeing water vapor or little

droplets of liquid water when

you make a cloud?

1 Add a couple teaspoons of salt to one empty drinking glass and several drops of food coloring to another.

2 Pour half a cup of warm water into each glass. Stir well.

3 Slowly pour some of the colored water into the salted water.

What happens? Do the two liquids blend or separate? Can

you make a connection between what’s happening here and

what happens to your body when you try to float in a lake or

in the ocean? How is this similar to the Dead Sea?

A Sinking Filling

You’ve heard of the Dead Sea Scrolls (see our temporary

exhibition through October 20), but what makes the Dead

Sea itself such a wonder of nature? With just a couple of

glasses, this experiment should give you a few ideas.

inspire

Calendar of EventsJune – July 2013

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Museum of Science 617-723-2500 617-589-0417 (TTY) mos.org

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June JulyBook Club for the CuriousJoin a discussion about Strange New Worlds: The Search for Alien Planets and Life beyond Our Solar System by Ray Jayawardhana. Cambridge Innovation Center. 5:30 p.m.

Member OvernightExclusive Member Event—Enjoy exclusive after-hours access to the Exhibit Halls and more! Geared for children ages 6 – 13 and their families. 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 a.m. Also June 21. M ! $

EurekaFest™

Cheer on students as they compete in the ultimate design battle, and put your own skills of invention to the test! 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

CalEndar highlightsInformation is subject to change. Please confirm all dates and times: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org.

let’s Celebrate July 4th!Exclusive Member Event—Join this popular rooftop party for our country’s independence and get a great view of the fireworks over the Charles. 5:30 p.m. M ! $

Book Club for the CuriousJoin a discussion about A Vast Machine: Computer Models, Climate Data, and the Politics of Global Warming by Paul Edwards. Cambridge Innovation Center. 5:30 p.m.

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.

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Exhibit hallsFor more information: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org/exhibits.

new! Dead Sea Scrolls: life in Ancient TimesThrough Sunday, October 20View pieces of the oldest-known copy of the Hebrew Bible, and experience firsthand the culture and iconic artifacts of ancient Israel.

new! Seasons of Change: Global Warming in your backyardOpens in JuneFind out how climate change is affecting the people and landscapes of New England as you investigate issues like coastal flooding, invasive species, and forest change.

butterfly GardenClosed June 24 – 26 for planting and maintenance.Explore a living exhibit filled with sunlight, plants, and free-flying butterflies. Timed tickets required. Discounts available for members.

FEATURED PRESENTATION

Live presentations are offered throughout the day every day in the Exhibit Halls. For current schedules: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org/daily.

For Preschoolers: live Animal Story Time June showtimes: Saturdays (except June 22) and Sundays, 10:30 a.m.; Mondays, 9:30 a.m. July showtimes: visit mos.org/daily.Hear a story and meet its animal star in a presentation made especially for younger visitors!

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Hall of Human Life—Catch a sneak Peek

The Green Wing, Level 2 is still under construction as we develop our new 10,000-square-foot, experi-ence-rich Hall of Human Life, but keep an eye out this summer and you may get a small preview of what’s to come! The Hall of Human Life team will be testing some of the exhibition’s new interactive experiences in the Blue Wing. If you see them, join in—your feedback could help fine-tune some new components!

Mugar Omni theaterFeaturing New England’s only IMAX® Dome screen. For showtimes, tickets, and a complete list of films now playing: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org. Service charge waived for members. Shows run approximately 50 minutes.

Sponsored by

FEATURED FILMS

new! Rocky Mountain ExpressSpeed through the Canadian Rockies on a thrilling train journey back to the age of steam. Experience the colossal feats of engineering—and epic risks—that shaped a nation.

The last Reef: Cities beneath the SeaFly across iridescent tropical reefs, brush through a cloud of a million jellyfish, and visit an alien world where the closer you look, the more you see.

Returning! The Greatest PlacesTravel to seven of the most dynamic landscapes on Earth, including Greenland’s giant icebergs, Tibet’s Chang Tang Plateau, and Iguazu’s immense waterfall.

on Exhibit Through october 20

Created by the Israel Antiquities Authority from the collections of the Israel National Treasures and produced by Discovery Times Square and The Franklin Institute.

In a time of turmoil in ancient Israel, a library of more than 900 manuscripts was hidden away in caves, remaining there for nearly 2,000 years. See a selection of these iconic texts and discover what the scrolls, and other millennia-old artifacts, tell us about the culture, rituals, and beliefs of an influential Iron Age people.

EXtEndEd

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hOUrs!

GENERAl PUblIC

Adult $32.00 $22.00Senior (60+) $29.00 $21.00Child (3 – 11) $27.00 $20.00

MEMbERS

All Ages $8.00 $8.00

Daytime and Friday Evenings (includes Exhibit Halls admission)

Saturday Evenings(exhibition entry only)

ADMISSIoN

• Admission is by timed ticket only. Advance reservations are highly recommended.

• Admission at the member rate is limited to the number of Exhibit Halls entries permitted with your membership level.

• Saturday evening rates apply to extended-hours entry to Dead Sea Scrolls only; the main Exhibit Halls will be closed. Extended hours: Now – July 4, after 5:00 p.m.; July 5 – Labor Day, after 7:00 p.m.

• Phone orders: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY); 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Online orders: mos.org; 24 hours a day.

3-d digital Cinema Shows in Wright Theater. For showtimes and tickets: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org. Discounts available for members. 3-D shows run approximately 20 minutes.

last Chance! MeerkatsThrough Thursday, July 4Catch this winsome and tenacious team of Kalahari Desert dwellers before they scamper away.

last Chance! Flying MonstersThrough Thursday, July 4Soar through the skies with prehistory’s fascinating flying giant reptiles, the pterosaurs, while dinosaurs roam below.

Charles hayden Planetarium For showtimes and tickets: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org. Service charge waived for members. Shows run approximately 35 – 45 minutes.

new! Explore: Stars over the Dead SeaLong before telescopes, ancient people carefully observed the stars and planets. Travel back thousands of years to compare their sky to that of modern-day Boston.

big bird’s Adventure: one World, one SkyJourney with Big Bird, Elmo, and their friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu, and learn about the Big Dipper, the North Star, the Sun, and the Moon.

Moons: Worlds of MysteryExperience the spectacular forces at work on these natural satellites, and discover just how complex and wild the solar system really is. Produced by the Museum of Science.

Undiscovered Worlds: The Search beyond our SunThe discovery of exoplanets—the hundreds 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 Sky TonightFind planets, stars, and constellations visible from New England with an astronomy expert as your guide. It’s the next best thing to being out under the stars!

Explore: The UniverseLeave 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.

gilliland ObservatoryVisiting the Observatory is free thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.

Friday Evening StargazingFridays; 8:30 – 10:00 p.m.Join us on Friday evenings for astronomy activities, and stargazing as weather permits: 617-589-0267. Our rooftop telescopes give you spectacular live views of stars, planets, lunar craters, and more.

Join the Charles river Cleanup

Over the spring and summer, the Charles River accumulates floating debris, and the Charles River Clean Up Boat comes to the rescue! The Museum donates funds to support the effort, and Museum staff account for one-third of the Clean Up Boat program’s volunteers. Still, this privately funded nonprofit needs more help.

Volunteer for a seven-hour shift as part of the cleanup crew, and receive Exhibit Halls passes for your efforts.

• Learn more at cleanupboat.org.

adult OfferingsFor more information: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY), 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.

book Club for the CuriousThursdays, June 13 and July 11; 5:30 p.m.Feeling inquisitive? Looking for good conversation? Love science and books? The Book Club for the Curious is just the thing for you! Free and open to the public, these monthly book discussions focus on science, technology, and their impact on society.

• Location: Cambridge Innovation Center, One Broadway, 14th Floor, Cambridge, MA.

• June 13: Strange New Worlds: The Search for Alien Planets and Life beyond Our Solar System by Ray Jayawardhana

• July 11: A Vast Machine: Computer Models, Climate Data, and the Politics of Global Warming by Paul Edwards

• Presented in partnership with the Cambridge Innovation Center.

Bring the Museum to You this summer!

The Museum’s Traveling Programs bring science to your library, camp, scout group, or community center. These exciting public programs start at just $255 and are fun for any age group. From animal invaders to rockets to the portable planetarium, these programs are sure to delight!

• For more information: 617-589-0354 or mos.org/traveling-public-programs.

Photo © Nicolaus Czarnecki

Exclusive Member EventsFor more information, use the numbers and addresses listed below or contact: 617-589-0180, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org/members.

Member overnight Saturday, June 15; 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 a.m.Friday, June 21; 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 a.m.Sure you’ve camped out under the stars, but have you rolled out your sleeping bag beside prehistoric creatures? Sleep inside your favorite Museum exhibit, enjoy exclusive activities, complimentary shows in the Mugar Omni Theater and Charles Hayden Planetarium, and an evening full of experiences your friends and family will never forget!

• 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, mos.org/members.

Member tips

start your summer off right with a trip to the Museum—and continue learning year round! here are a few tips to make your summer visit a breeze.• Reserve your tickets in advance. We’ll waive the

handling fees and save your spot. Call 617-723-2500 or visit mos.org just a few days in advance of your visit.

• Remember to bring your current membership card for immediate Exhibit Halls entry and discounts in the Museum store, café, and garage.

• To avoid peak crowds, arrive before 10:30 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m.

• Arrive at least one hour before any scheduled show, to allow time to park and pick up tickets. Late entries to timed shows are not permitted.

• Take public transportation, or have a backup plan for parking in case the Museum garage reaches capacity. See mos.org/parking for ideas.

• Take advantage of the Membership booth (open daily 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.). Renew or upgrade your membership, purchase show tickets, or find information on upcoming member events all at this one-stop membership shop.

sign Up for E-news!

Be a member in the know! Sign up for our monthly member e-newsletter to receive not only member event reminders but also late-breaking Museum news and exclusive online offers. Sign up at mos.org/members.

let’s Celebrate July 4th!Tickets on sale now. Celebrate the Fourth of July with a fun-filled evening of family entertainment, science activities, and a live broadcast of the Boston Pops Concert, capped by the spectacular fireworks display over the Charles River. The annual members-only event takes place on the Museum’s garage roof, which provides one of the best views in the city. Visit mos.org for detailed information about activities, events, food, parking, and more.

• Ticket availability is limited to the number of Exhibit Halls admissions permitted with your membership level.

• All tickets are sold first come, first served. Remember, this event always sells out early, and tickets will not be available for purchase the day of the event.

• For complete event details: mos.org/members.

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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 617-589-0417 (TTY) mos.org

The Museum of Science gratefully acknowledges the support of our Premier Partners:

EventsFor more information: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org/events.

EurekaFest™ 2013Saturday, June 22; 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.High school students from across the country compete in the 7th annual all-day design challenge. Watch the design trials, fill up your “passport” of activities, earn scout patches, and win special EurekaFest magnets in a family-friendly day chock full of engineering and invention! EurekaFest is a local celebration designed to empower the next generation of inventors through activities that inspire youth, honor role models, and encourage creativity and problem-solving.

• Free with Exhibit Halls admission.

• For more information about EurekaFest activities citywide (June 21 – 23): 617-253-3352, eurekafest.org.

• EurekaFest is a partnership of the Lemelson–MIT program and the Museum of Science. Supported by Continuum.

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science in action!

In grade 5 – 8? Interested in trying out some cool, cutting-edge gear? We’re researching the way middle school visitors engage with exhibits and think about big ideas, and we need your help! Participation takes 45 minutes; all participants will be given free parking for their visit and a special thank you. For more information or to volunteer, email MOSstudy@cast.org.

support the Washburn Challenge

Remembered for his varied achievements— as mountaineer, photographer, and visionary founding director of the Museum of Science—Bradford Washburn also created a map of Mount Washington that is still used by climbers today. To honor Washburn and raise much-needed support for the Museum’s Annual Fund, a team of climbers will ascend Mount Washington on Sunday, July 14.

• To join the team or support their efforts: mos.org/challenge.

3

4   Seeing Maps in a New LightIn January, ByteLight, a Boston-based start-up,

launched its first pilot right here in Cahners

ComputerPlace (Blue Wing, Level 1): an inno-

vative indoor positioning system using LED

(light-emitting diodes) lighting. Twenty unique-

ly programmed ByteLight-enabled LED lights

allow visitors to explore and navigate the exhibit

based on their precise real-time position. By

using an iPad provided by the Museum, visi-

tors can search for different interactive spots,

get directions, and take a self-guided tour. The

Museum hopes to add more of these learning

and wayfinding aids in the future.

5   Festivities Support Assistive TechnologiesEach year, the Museum Volunteer Service

League organizes the popular Let’s Celebrate

July 4th! event, a rooftop party attended by

hundreds of Museum members. Proceeds

from the event go to a grant program that

funds improvements proposed by Museum

staff. This year, the July 4th Grants Program

enabled the Museum to purchase pediatric

wheelchairs—child-sized versions of the

standard wheelchairs available to Museum

visitors with injuries or limited mobility.

Other grant-funded purchases included

foreign-language guides presenting basic

Museum information in many different

languages, available both online and at

the Museum.

1   Stars of STEM ShineThe Museum’s annual signature event, The

Science Behind the Stars, was held at the

Westin Boston Waterfront on April 18. With

365 members of the Museum community in

attendance, the event honored the 2013 Stars

of STEM, Liberty Mutual (with President and

CEO David Long accepting), Dr. Pendred

Noyce (shown), and the Noyce Foundation.

The event raised more than $420,000

through ticket sales, sponsorship, and a live

auction to fund student access programs at

the Museum.

2   A Decade of NoteIt’s been ten years since Ioannis Miaoulis

first took the helm as president and director

of the Museum of Science, and the Mu-

seum celebrated his anniversary in January.

Since Miaoulis’s arrival, the Museum has

welcomed approximately 15 million visitors,

had the ten highest attendance days in its

history, and opened five of its top ten tempo-

rary exhibits. The initiatives he spearheads

also touch lives beyond the Exhibit Halls: the

Museum’s National Center for Technologi-

cal Literacy,® for instance, has reached more

than 4 million students in 50 states.

3   planetarium in the Spotlight

On February 15, when eyes were on the skies

for the predicted flyby of a small near-Earth

asteroid, another space object took the world

by storm—a meteor that exploded over

Russia’s Ural Mountains. Addressing the

piqued interest in the dramatic fireball

and shockwave, WCVB’s Jack Harper

reported live from the Museum at 5:00 p.m.

and 6:00 p.m. and interviewed Charles

Hayden Planetarium systems coordinator

Darryl Davis, showcasing a 50,000-year-old

meteorite from our Cosmic Light exhibit.

Museum News

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General Information

HoURSHours, which are subject to change, are extended during Massachusetts school vacations. For updates: mos.org/hours.

Exhibit Halls

• Regular (Sat – Thurs) 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. • Fridays 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Year round) • Summer (Sat – Thurs) 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (July 5 – Labor Day) • Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. • Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day Closed

TICkETS AND INFoRMATIoNAdvance reservations recommended. For current prices and to purchase tickets: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org. For membership information: 617-589-0180, membership@mos.org, mos.org/members.

DIRECTIoNS AND pARkINg• Address 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114• Detailed Directions 617-723-2500, mos.org/directions • Parking Museum parking is available first come, first served. Members receive a discount in the Museum garage.

BoSToN DUCk ToURSTickets sold in the Red Wing, near the Mugar Omni Theater. DUCKs depart from the driveway near the T. rex. Tours run daily, April – November. For reservations: 617-267-3825, bostonducktours.com. Members receive a discount.

EvENT pLANNINgHost your next event at the Museum of Science! Food services provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering. For information: 617-589-0125 (Monday – Friday), events@mos.org. Members are eligible for special rates.

 ACCESSIBILITYFor information about accessibility in the Museum: mos.org/accessibility. For questions or accommodation requests: 617-589-3102, accessibility@mos.org. Please request ASL interpreters at least two weeks in advance.

EDUCATIoNAL RESoURCESField Trips

For information about Museum field trips and other opportunities for educators, such as the Teacher Partner Program: 617-723-2500, educator-email@mos.org, 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, travelingprograms@mos.org, mos.org/travelingprograms.

Sparks!  JUNE – JULY 2013Marketing Communications Director: Carl ZukroffEditors: Christopher DelConte and Jessica MaloneyArt Director: Lori SartreDesigners: Fanny Lau, Lianne Stoddard Contributors: Anna Brophy, Jill Maxwell, William WalshSparks is published bimonthly. Circulation: 55,000. © 2013 Museum of Science, Boston. All rights reserved.

STAY CoNNECTED wITH THE MUSEUM CoMMUNITY! For updates, special offers, and fun science:

facebook.com/museumofscience @museumofscience on Twitter Member E-News at mos.org/members@

IMAgINE. INNovATE. INSpIRE.Support The Campaign for the Museum of Science. For more information, call us at 617-589-0181 or visit mos.org/campaign.

Photo © Nicolaus Czarnecki Photo © Michael Malyszko

Sparks!A Newsletter for Members and Friends of the Museum of Science

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

pAID

Salem, NH

Permit #151

JUNE – JULY 2013

 

Rocky Mountain Express Now Showing in Omni

See cover story

Reserve your  tickets today  to see these priceless world treasures!

Created by the Israel Antiquities Authority from

the collections of the Israel National Treasures

and produced by Discovery Times Square and

The Franklin Institute.

on Exhibit May 19 – october 14

on Exhibit Through october 20 

In partnership with

Media partner

Educational partner