What’s OnMay - August 2015

at the Museum of Natural History

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SNew permanent displaysMain courtOur touchable tables are back and better than ever. Now themed around evolution, you can explore how mammals and reptiles have adapted to live in a huge variety of environments.

8 May - 24 AugustMain courtAll living organisms need to sense changes in their environments. Current research is exploring the mechanisms involved, and how we might benefit from this understanding.

Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year Photography Competition

Biosense

Sensing Evolution

6 May - 30 JulyCafé GalleryPainted by Nigel Hughes after fieldwork in North and South America, these impressive birds range from the largest - the Andean Condor - to the smallest - the American Black Vulture.

New World Vultures

Until 31 SeptemberChurchill & Sarsden Heritage CentreOpen weekends 2-4.30pmCelebrating the bicentenary of the publication of the first geological map of England and Wales by William Smith, this exhibition in on show in his home village of Churchill, Oxfordshire.www.churchillheritage.org.uk

William Smith Bicentenary

To celebrate our selection as a finalist in the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year 2015 we are looking for the best photographs that capture the many aspects of the Museum.

Upload your snap to artfund.org/prize or tweet or Instagram your pic with the hashtag #motyphoto and tag us @morethanadodo.

Win a photography holiday in Berlin, a £500 photography equipment voucher and other great prizes.

For more details see artfund.org/prize

Fri 1 May Leviathan and theAir PumpPublic lecture and debate, Adults 5.30pmHistorian of science David Wootton reviews controversies surrounding Robert Boyle’s air pump experiments in 1659. Book at:www.torch.ox.ac.uk/airpump

Fri 1-Sun 3 May Lyme Regis Fossil FestivalAll agesLook us up by the seaside at Lyme Regis Fossil Festival where you’ll find our specimens on tour to celebrate the bicentenary of William Smith’s ‘map that changed the world’.

Thu 7 May Let’s Go Fly a KiteUnder 5s, Drop in 10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4pmMake your own fish kite and test it out on the Museum lawn.

Mon 11 May Spotlight SumatraPublic lecture, Adults, 6.30pmA celebration of the breathtaking array of life found in Sumatra’s unique and fragile rainforests. Book at:www.bit.ly/spotlightsumatra

Thu 14 May New World VulturesPublic lecture, Adults, 6-7.30pmTo accompany Nigel Hughes’s display in the Café Gallery the artist talks about the characteristics and benefits of these birds. Book at: www.bit.ly/newworldvultures

What’s on

Tue 26 - Wed 27 May Museum MasterpieceFamilies, Drop in, 1-4pmRummage around for bits ‘n’ bobs to create your own magnificient artwork.

Sat 6 - Sun 7 Jun Oxford Art PrizeAll ages, Drop-in, 11am-4pmArtists will be popping up on the lawn. Watch them create their vision of the Museum. www.oxfordartprize.co.uk Sat 6 Jun Biosense SpotlightAdults, 2pmDr Stuart Peirson explains photoreceptors and circadian rhythms and how light regulates physiology and behaviour. Biosense exhibition programme.

Sun 7 Jun Bugs and Beyond with Steve Backshall & George McGavinTalk, Families, 2-3.30pmJoin these top TV adventurers and naturalists to discover their favourite bugs and other wildlife, and hear exciting stories of jungle journeys. In partnership with BBOWT. Child £6 / Adult £8. Book at:www.oxfordfestivalofnature.org

Sat 13 Jun Wild Fair: Festival of NatureAges 8+, 10am-4pmCelebrate Oxfordshire’s biodiversity with crafts, conservationists and family-friendly talks. In partnership with BBOWT.www.oxfordfestivalofnature.org

Sat 20 Jun Biosense SpotlightAdults, 2pmProfessor Chris Schofield reveals the personal story behind research into oxygen sensing and its importance in medicine. Biosense exhibition programme.

Wed 24 Jun Dinosaur StompUnder 5s, Drop in 10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4pmDig for fossils, touch some real dino bones and stomp just like a dinosaur!

Sat 27 Jun Evolution of MammalsDay school, Adults, 10am-5pmHow is an aardvark related to an elephant? Recent genomic research reveals surprises in the evolutionary relationships of mammal groups. Learn more using Museum collections and our new tactile Sensing Evolution displays. £65. Book at:www.bit.ly/evolutionofmammals

Sat 27 Jun Biosense SpotlightAdults, 2pmDr Kathryn Scott talks about bacterial sensing research and its implications for a variety of challenges. Biosense exhibition programme.

Sat 4 Jul Alice’s DayFamilies, Drop-inJoin us to celebrate 150 years of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Explore the museum that inspired the book, with performances and Alice-themed crafts. See

Fri 15 May SensationsLate night event, Adults, 7-10pmIndulge your senses, with live music, pop-up sensory stations and a bar. Bands include Sväva and We are Aeronauts. Joint event with Pitt Rivers Museum as part of Museums at Night. Tickets £5, or 4 for £15: www.bit.ly/museumsensations

Sat 16 May Biosense SpotlightAdults, 2pmDr Stuart Peirson explains photoreceptors and circadian rhythms and how light regulates physiology and behaviour. Biosense exhibition programme.

Sat 16 May Evolution of BirdsDay school, Adults, 10am-5pmLearn about the latest advances in our understanding of the evolutionary origins of birds. An opportunity to investigate our new tactile Sensing Evolution displays and see Nigel Hughes’s exhibition of paintings of New World vultures. £65. Book at:www.bit.ly/evolutionofbirds

Tue 19 May How to Clonea MammothLecture and book signingAdults, 6.30pmBeth Shapiro, Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of California, talks about her research and book. £5. Book at:www.bit.ly/cloneamammoth

CALENDAR

PRESENTING...The Oxford Dodo19 May - 19 JulyThe Dodo is one of our most treasured specimens, unique in the world. See it and find out why.

Gault Clay Fossils21 July - 21 SeptemberGault Clay fossils can vividly reveal evolution in action and also helped the ‘father of English geology’ William Smith to complete the first nationwide geological map, 200 years ago this year.

All events are free unless stated otherwise, but donations help support our programme.

For the full Family Friendly programme at the Oxford University Museums seewww.museums.ox.ac.uk

website for details: www.oum.ox.ac.ukThu 9 Jul Owl BabiesUnder 5s, Drop in10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4pmTwit twoo! Touch some owl feathers and make your own owl baby to take home.

Sat 11 Jul 70 Years of Nature: The New Naturalist 4th SymposiumPublic lectures and debate, Adults9am-5pmCelebrating the 70th anniversary of theNew Naturalist library with Stephen Moss. £50. To book email:tbernhard@btinternet.com

Sat 11 Jul Biosense SpotlightAdults, 2pmProfessor Sir Peter Ratcliffe and Professor Chris Schofield talk about the personal story behind research into oxygen sensing and its importance to human medicine.Biosense exhibition programme.

Sat 18 Jul Biosense SpotlightAdults, 2pmDr Kathryn Scott talks about bacterial sensing research and its implications for a variety of challenges, such as tackling diseases and understanding ecosystems. Biosense exhibition programme.

Mon 27 Jul Afternoon Explorers: BugsFamilies, Drop-in, 1-4pmGet your hands on some live cockroaches - if you dare! Examine real museum specimens and make something fun to take home.

Sat 1 Aug Biosense SpotlightAdults, 2pmProfessor Chris Pugh reveals the personal story behind research into oxygen sensing and its importance to human medicine. Biosense exhibition programme.

Mon 3 Aug Evolution of Tool Use: Animal and Human PerspectivesLectures, Adults, 10am-5pmHow and why do animals use tools and what does it tell us about the evolution of our own complex technological world? An international group of scientists discusses the latest findings. £12. Book tickets at:www.bit.ly/tooluse

Sat 8 Aug Biosense SpotlightAdults, 2pmProfessor Judy Armitage talks about bacterial sensing research and its implications for a variety of challenges. Biosense exhibition programme.

Mon 10 Aug Afternoon Explorers: ReptilesFamilies, Drop-in, 1-4pmDiscover reptile specimens from the Museum’s collections and make something fun to take home.

Mon 24 Aug Afternoon Explorers: WhalesFamilies, Drop-in, 1-4pmFind out more about these amazing ocean mamnmals and enjoy some whale-inspired

CALENDAR

REGULARS AND FAMILY EXTRASSpotlight SpecimensMonday-Thursday at 2.30pmAll agesAn informal specimen show-and-tell under the T. rex. Ask questions and chat with Museum experts.

Café ScientifiqueEvery second Tuesday, 7.30-9pm, AdultsHear scientists discuss research over a glass of wine. No events during August.

Architecture ToursEvery Friday, 2.30pm & 3.15pm, AdultsTake a free volunteer-led tour to learn about the Museum’s Grade 1-listed Neo-Gothic building.

Science SaturdaysEvery Saturday, 2-4pm, 2 May - 6 JunFamilies, ages 8+Investigate real natural history specimens with University of Oxford scientists.

Family Friendly SundaysEvery Sunday, Drop-in, 2-4pmFamily Friendly trails, crafts, backpacks and more, all provided by Museum volunteers.

All Going on a Summer HolidaySat 18 Jul - Mon 31 AugDrop-in during opening hoursWhat will you pack? Who will you meet? A sensory trail with lots of things to see, hear and touch.

Bags of FunEvery Tuesday 21 Jul - 25 Aug, 2-4pmFamiliesBorrow a backpack full of activities and become a family of museum explorers.

Oxford University Museum of Natural HistoryParks RoadOxfordOX1 3PW01865 272950info@oum.ox.ac.ukwww.oum.ox.ac.uk

Opening hoursOpen daily from 10am-5pm.Closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Admission is free.

Group and school visitsSchools and large groups please pre-book on 01865 282 451 or emaileducation@oum.ox.ac.uk

Museum CaféEnjoy snacks and drinks throughout the day, courtesy of Oxford’s Mortons.

ShopThe Museum Shop offers a wide range of products including fossils, minerals, publications, toys, jewellery, postcards and Museum products: shop@oum.ox.ac.uk

Library and ArchivesOur Library and Archives are open to anyone. For appointments emaillibrary@oum.ox.ac.ukwww.oum.ox.ac.uk/collect

Learning at the MuseumThe Museum offers a range of taught sessions for primary and secondary Key Stages, regular Family Friendly activities, and a programme of events for adults.www.oum.ox.ac.uk/educate

VolunteeringTo find out about volunteering at the Museum see:www.museums.ox.ac.uk/volunteers

Community OutreachFor information on free workshops for adult community groups seewww.museums.ox.ac.uk/community-outreach

AccessThe Museum provides wheelchair access to all floors and free disabled parking. There is no other public parking available on site.

Hire the MuseumThe Museum and its 300-seat Lecture Theatre are available for private hire functions, including weddings, dinners and conferences: venue@oum.ox.ac.uk

LocationThe Museum is about 10 minutes’ walk north of Oxford city centre and about 15 minutes’ walk from Oxford rail station.

@morethanadodoFlickr: www.bit.ly/mnhflickrBlog: morethanadodo.com

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