Science Fiction Meets Science Fact New Traveling Exhibition Reveals How the Two Connect—And What Could Come Next!

APRIL – MAY 2017

A Newsletter for Members and Friends of the Museum of Science

Inside This Issue • From Sci-Fi to Wi-Fi • Cambridge Science Festival • Amazing Amazon!

Science Fiction Meets Science Fact New traveling exhibition reveals how the two connect—and what could come next!

ake a look at the once-popular flip phone, and it’s hard to miss its similarities with the communicator from the original Star Trek television series. T HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey influenced Siri, Alexa, and other electronic voice devices (minus the creepy factor). And many intrepid innovators are still working on turning the hoverboard from Back to the Future Part II into reality. Explore these and other connections between technology and pop culture influences from movies, books, television, and additional art forms in POPnology, the Museum’s newest traveling exhibition opening April 30. Embrace your inner POPnologist in this revolutionary visitor experience that also highlights emerging technologies such as 3-D printed cars and robots through dozens of hands-on experiences, arresting visuals, and more!

This Is How We Do It KEVA The exhibit is divided into four areas, each tackling a different way PLANKS CITY technology impacts our lives—“How We Move,” “How We Connect,” “How We Live and Work,” and “How We Play.” See how far we’ve come in the past century and the exciting possibilities that could be just around the corner. Venture into “How We Play,” and stop by the Pentiductor Play Area to learn how to make sounds and music with just your hands. Then, take a trip through the

Continued on next page Continued from cover evolution of television at the Pixel Pegs board. Move over to “How We Move” and see how magnets could be the future of transportation as the fuel for trains, 3-D PRINTED CAR hoverboards, and more! In the Mars Rover Challenge, you take control of the vehicle via remote control and attempt information on new approaches to to complete a mission on the red planet. And witness history contacting alien life. You can also with Local Motors’ LM3D—the first 3-D printed car! communicate with fictional aliens via Learn about the past, present, and future of robotics as well music and lights just like in the iconic as their pop culture influences in “How We Live and Work.” scene from Close Encounters of the Third Kind! Attempt to rotate dinosaur eggs—using a robotic arm. (Don’t wake up the mother!) Meet Baxter, a robot who per- The Future Is Now forms tasks without the aid of humans. Plus, build a “[The exhibit features] something for kids and it has city-sized space station with KEVA planks that can handle all something for adults,” says Edward Eyth, who was a concept the out-of-this-world challenges! And see how just about any- designer on many films, including Back to the Future Part II. thing can be created using 3-D printing technology. “There is interactivity in some of these [exhibit components] How have phones inspired by pop culture influenced that you can participate in. It’s a great overall experience.” our lives, and what might they look like in POPnology showcases several memorable items from Back 2030? Find out in “How We Connect.” to the Future Part II, including Eyth’s visionary concept art An authentic replica of the communication for the film as well as the iconic hoverboard and self-tying device from E.T. is featured along with shoes. Also, watch your favorite movies come alive when you snap a selfie with the title character from the Alien films, say hello to R2-D2 from the Star Wars franchise, and much more.

If you aren’t already a POPnologist, you will be after exploring this exhibit, here for a limited engagement only!

BAXTER POPnology® was created by Stage Nine Exhibitions and is distributed by Exhibits Development Group. Free with Exhibit Halls admission. Free for members.

POPnology Exhibit Opens April 30 | Member Preview April 29 A Slumber Party Like No Other Make lasting memories overnight at the Museum!

It doesn’t get much more rewarding than a day at Overnight Details Overnight Rules the Museum of Science. But what happens after • Fee: $50 per person. Advance To ensure a safe, enjoyable time: registration required. Space is all the visitors go home and the Sun sets along • Children must be accompanied limited; first come, first served. the Charles River? Find out the answer to this by adult chaperones (21+); a • Dinner options: Bring your own minimum of one chaperone and other mysteries during one of our popular meal or visit the Riverview Café. per five children is required. Member Overnights! • Check-in is 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. • Anyone under the influence or in Program ends at 11:00 a.m. the possession of alcohol or drugs Mark Your Calendar next morning. Overnight parking will be required to leave. rate is $5. Choose from two upcoming opportunities to enjoy this exclu- • Inappropriate behavior (includ- sive after-hours experience for elementary-school-age children • Confirmation letters are sent with ing, but not limited to, ignoring (ages 6 – 13) and accompanying adults—Friday, June 16 or your overnight “survival guide” to help guidelines or engaging in acts you prepare for a successful stay. Saturday, June 24. Purchase tickets beginning April 11 for of aggression) will be grounds for dismissal. Premier members and April 13 for Basic members. • For more information, contact membership: 617-589-0180. Enjoy especially spacious Exhibit Halls and special members-only programming, including a visit to our newest temporary exhibition. POPnology highlights the connection between pop culture Member and technology through impressive visuals Appreciation Night and engaging hands-on experiences. Sunday, May 7 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Brighten your night with a late-hour Lightning! show in the Theater of Electricity. Eventually Explore the Museum’s Exhibit Halls in a you’ll want to go to sleep, but with an less-crowded setting—just you and fellow exciting twist when you rest your eyes members. Enjoy exclusive activities as well surrounded by your favorite exhibits. as complimentary tickets to the 4-D The fun continues the next morning Theater and Butterfly Garden! with a captivating, larger-than-life IMAX® film in the Mugar Omni Theater. What a way to conclude this memorable experience! Photos © Nicolaus Czarnecki

Member Overnight Friday, June 16 or Saturday, June 24 Photos © Tyler Trahan Citywide Science Celebration The Museum of Science is at the forefront of annual Cambridge festival.

For more than a decade, the Cambridge Science Festival has an earthquake! Plus, participate in Boston Marathon® Days focused on making science, technology, engineering, art, and activities throughout the Exhibit Halls during the two days mathematics both accessible and fun through programs and leading up to the April 17 race. Learn the science behind events around the city, including at the Museum of Science, long-distance running and more. which straddles both Cambridge and Boston. The tradition And don’t forget about perennial visitor continues for the eleventh year with countless activities favorites such as a Lightning! show in and some very special guests. the Theater of Electricity (featuring a Cambridge invention, the Van de Graaff Let’s Talk about the Weather Generator), Live Animal Story Time The stars are back to tell us about presentations on the Shapiro Family what’s happening in the skies. Science Live! Stage, the always Meteorologists from WCVB Storm- enlightening and comical Amazing Team 5 will appear on the Gordon Nano Brothers Juggling Show in Current Science & Technology Center Cahners Theater, Astronomy Stage April 18 – 20 at 12:30 p.m. each After Hours on Friday evenings in the Gilliland day to share their expertise in the art Observatory, and much more. You might even pop by our and science of forecasting. new exhibit prototyping area, Behind the Scenes. Another can’t-miss festival feature is a free performance by “Every year it’s so much fun for people to learn what types of the North Cambridge Family Opera—a multigenerational amazing activities are available all over Cambridge, including singing group. This year’s science-based theme: weather right here at Science Park,” says Susan Heilman, Museum and climate. See them live Sunday, April 23 at 4:00 p.m. educator and organizer of our portion of the festival. “It’s in Cahners Theater. wonderful for the Museum to be part of this community where science is happening.” So Much to See and Do Observe the Sun and possibly sunspots and solar flares via the Most Museum events are free with Exhibit Halls Museum’s safe solar telescope during Solar Lunch. In Shake admission. For more information: mos.org/events. Things Up, use your creativity, teamwork, and problem- For a complete list of Cambridge Science Festival events: solving skills to engineer a model building that can withstand cambridgesciencefestival.org.

Cambridge Science Festival April 14 – 23 Discovering the Amazon’s “Beautiful Proof” New IMAX® film takes you back in time on a historic odyssey along the famed river.

Nearly 170 years ago, two young naturalists from England some of the species with the best chance of survival used traveled to South America to embark on what would become mimicry and camouflage to beat the odds. an epic journey of scientific discovery and adventure along See the evidence that Bates observes as he works like a the Amazon River. Henry Bates and Alfred Wallace were on detective putting the clues together, including what appear a quest to find life forms new to science and, perhaps more to be bird droppings that walk and water droplets that fly as important, to find evidence that species do change. well as jungle cats that imitate the sounds of a small monkey Wallace and Bates split up to cover more territory in the to fool their prey. Witness a fish that looks like a leaf floating vast Amazon with Wallace leaving after four years due to on the water’s surface and a spider that poses as a flower bud. illness. Bates continued for 11 years in this visually stunning Darwin called Bates’s findings from the Amazon “the and bio-diverse region—eventually providing the proof that beautiful proof” for natural selection. The evidence was Charles Darwin needed for his controversial theory of natural included in future editions of Darwin’s landmark book selection, thereby boosting Darwin’s credibility. On the Origin of Species as well as Bates’s own publication Learn more about this significant piece of history with the The Naturalist on the River Amazons, which Darwin called latest large-format production from SK Films, Amazon “the best book of natural history travels Adventure, which opens April 14 on the IMAX® Dome screen. ever published in England.”

Mimicry for Survival Impressive Sights Bates made his important discoveries in the fascinating world The film showcases some of of camouflage and mimicry where things are not always what the most colorful and intriguing they seem! Venturing up the Amazon with his pet monkey and life forms in the world combined guitar, Bates formed close relationships with the native tribes with re-enactments of Bates’s travels. and adopted their hunting and survival methods so he could Get ready for the journey of a lifetime survive in this harsh environment that greatly differed from with Amazon Adventure. And unlike his native England. Bates you won’t have to worry about Challenged by yellow fever, landslides, robbery, starvation, and catching yellow fever, just the best seat! encounters with jaguars, army ants, poisonous snakes, and insects, Bates managed to do his research that determined Local Sponsor

Amazon Adventure Opens April 14 in Omni Calendar of Events April – May 2017

inform Cover Photo © Nicolaus Czarnecki Information is subject to change. Please confirm all dates and times: CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS 617-723-2500, mos.org. Exlusive Member Event April May 8 NanoDays 3 Photographing a Black Hole Saturday Special Event—Explore nanoscale science Wednesday Learn all about the black hole believed to exist in the Exhibit Halls. 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the center of our own Milky Way galaxy. 7:00 p.m. M Boston Marathon® Days Special Event—Learn how the human body Grow Your Food IQ Weekend adapts to meet the demands of endurance 6 Participate in hands-on activities and watch Saturday sports. Also, April 9, 15, and 16. presentations from experts about growing, cooking, and sharing in a celebration of food Beyond the Telescope with a STEM twist. Also, May 7. 12 Explore the universe in different parts of the Wednesday spectrum to see what we can learn when we look 7 Member Appreciation Night beyond what human eyes can see. 7:00 p.m. Sunday Exclusive Member Night—Exhibit Halls open for our special guests: you, our members! 13 Stars of STEM Celebration 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Thursday Attend the Museum’s annual gala. 6:00 p.m. ! $ Cosmos 11 Join the Boston Choral Ensemble for a night Thursday Book Club for the Curious of music and an impressive cosmic show in the Join a discussion about Deep Life: The Hunt Charles Hayden Planetarium. 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. for the Hidden Biology of Earth, Mars, and Also May 18; 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. as well as May Beyond by Tullis C. Onstott. Cambridge 14; 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. ! $ Innovation Center. 5:30 p.m. Book Club for the Curious Amazon Adventure Opens Join a discussion about Life’s Engines: How 14 IMAX® Film—Naturalist Henry Bates takes an Microbes Made Earth Habitable by Paul G. Falkowski. Friday 11-year journey along the famed river where he Cambridge Innovation Center. 5:30 p.m. makes landmark findings on animal behavior. M ! $ Breaking Waves: 24 An Evening with Schuyler Bailar Wednesday Cambridge Science Festival Begins The first transgender athlete on an NCAA Citywide Event—Activities showcase the Division I men's team discusses the hurdles city’s position at the forefront of science. and milestones in his life. 7:00 p.m. M ! Through April 23.

Gastropod 26 Enjoy a three-course event for your eyes and Wednesday SYMBOL KEY ears during this special live recording of the popular podcast. 7:00 p.m. ! $ M Members may reserve tickets in advance and/or receive discounts. Stories Under the Stars ! Reservations are either required or 27 Hear true stories that explore the theme strongly recommended. Thursday of “Planet Tales” in the Charles Hayden $ A fee is associated with this event or exhibit. Planetarium. 7:30 p.m. ! $ 29 Member Preview: POPnology Saturday See the influence of pop culture on technology with engaging activities and exciting visuals. Exhibit opens to the public April 30. Exhibit Halls Butterfly Garden Explore a living exhibit filled with sunlight, plants, For more information: 617-723-2500, mos.org/exhibits. and free-flying butterflies. Timed tickets required. Member price: $5. New! POPnology Opens Sunday, April 30 Thrill Ride 360° See how pop culture has influenced technology and Take a ride on a roller coaster you design in this gain insight into emerging innovations. Exhibition features full-motion experience! Timed tickets required. Back to the Future props from iconic films like , robots, the Member price: $5. first-ever 3-D printed car, and more!

FEATURED PRESENTATION Last Chance! Chocolate Through Sunday, May 7 Live presentations are offered throughout the day every day in the Exhibit Halls. For current Discover the unique cacao tree whose seeds started it all, schedules: 617-723-2500, mos.org/daily-schedule. unearth the origins of chocolate consumption, and discover how chocolate was transformed from a bitter drink of kings Afternoon Report into the chocolate we love today. Daily; 2:30 p.m. Join our on-stage anchor in the Gordon Current Behind the Scenes: Science & Technology Center for a rapid-fire news Help us test new report touching on the latest science headlines. exhibits! This new permanent Generously supported by Cabot Corporation. exhibit offers a sneak peek into how exhibits get made. Help us Photo © Nicolaus Czarnecki create exhibits by testing out new Special Hours exhibit ideas before they are in Exhibit Halls hours are extended during their final form. school vacation week: April 15 – 20 | 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. April 21 | 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (as usual) April 22 | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Charles Hayden Planetarium Mugar Omni Theater For showtimes and tickets: 617-723-2500, mos.org. Shows run approximately 35 – 45 minutes. Member price: $5. 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 FEATURED SHOWS 50 minutes. Member price: $5.

Magic Tree House® Space Mission Sponsored by Brother-and-sister duo Jack and Annie embark on a wondrous journey of adventure and learning to FEATURED FILMS answer questions about space. New! Amazon Adventure Undiscovered Worlds: Opens Friday, April 14 The Search Beyond Our Sun Follow naturalist Henry Bates on his 11-year journey of The discovery of exoplanets—the thousands of known risks and thrills in nineteenth-century South America, where planets that orbit stars beyond the Sun—may lead us he made landmark findings on animal behavior. closer to finding an Earth-like world. Produced by the Museum of Science. Last Chance! National Parks Adventure Through Thursday, April 13 Explore: The Universe Visit Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Everglades, and more Leave Earth behind and blast off to explore our solar on the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. system, the Milky Way, and beyond. Journey through the cosmos with a Planetarium educator as your star pilot. Journey to Space Patrick Stewart narrates this celebration of NASA’s Music Under the Dome Space Shuttle Program and the plans for ushering in a Friday and Saturday evenings new era of unprecedented deep space exploration. Join us in the Charles Hayden Planetarium and experience one of our innovative and immersive music offerings.

Gilliland Observatory Free, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.

Astronomy After Hours Fridays; 8:30 – 10:00 p.m. On clear nights, view stars, planets, the Moon, and other astronomical phenomena from the roof of the Museum’s garage! On cloudy nights, tour the inside of our Observatory and participate in astronomy-related activities run by our knowledgeable staff. For more details and weather-related closure information, call our hotline at 617-589-0267, updated by 5:30 p.m. every Friday. 4-D Theater Adult Offerings For showtimes and tickets: 617-723-2500, mos.org. For more information: 617-723-2500, mos.org/events. Funded Shows run approximately 15 minutes. Member price: $5. in part by the Barbara and Malcolm L. Sherman Fund for Adult Programs and by the David and Marion Ellis Endowment Fund. Ice Age: No Time for Nuts 4-D Join Scrat, Ice Age’s resident nut-crazed saber-toothed SUSTAINING LIFE squirrel, as he time travels in his zaniest adventure to An ongoing study of the splendor, mystery, and importance of date, Ice Age: No Time for Nuts 4-D. our food and water. ICE AGE™ & © 2017 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Gastropod Wednesday, April 26; 7:00 p.m. Thomas & Friends™ What’s the story behind some of our favorite dishes? 4-D: Bubbling Boilers! How does everything from microbes to metals affect the Join Thomas & Friends in this thrilling 4-D taste of what we eat? In this special live recording of the adventure as they encounter big surprises while podcast Gastropod, co-hosts Cynthia Graber and Nicola racing to an exciting celebration on Sodor. Twilley serve a three-course feast for your eyes and ears.

© 2017 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. • Fee: $15; purchase tickets in advance at mos.org/events. • Funding provided by the Barbara and Malcolm L. Sherman Wild Survivors: Animals in 4-D Fund for Adult Programs. Filled with jaw-dropping sequences in digital 3-D with added special effects, this film takes a never-before-seen ON BEING HUMAN look at the ingenious tactics animals have developed to survive and thrive in a danger-filled world. Exploring the layers of the human experience.

A Reno Family Foundation Symposium Breaking Waves: An Evening with Schuyler Bailar Wednesday, May 24; 7:00 p.m. A record-breaking swimmer in high school, Schuyler Bailar was aggressively recruited by most Ivy League women’s swim teams. Now, two years later, Schuyler competes on a prestigious men’s swim team, the first transgender athlete to compete in any sport on a NCAA Division I men’s team. Join Schuyler as he discusses the hurdles and the milestones in his life and the world of transgender youth. Reception with light snacks and a cash bar to follow.

• Funding provided by the Reno Family Foundation Fund. This program is free thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute. • Advance registration begins Monday, May 8 for members (Wednesday, May 10 for the general public) at mos.org/events. WHEN SCIENCE MEETS ART Photographing a Black Hole Shattering the boundaries between art, science, and technology. Wednesday, May 3; 7:00 p.m. Dr. Sheperd Doeleman, director of the Event Horizon Telescope Project, and Katherine Bouman from MIT talk about the Event Horizon Telescope, which scientists say could take a picture of a supermassive black hole believed to lie hidden in the heart of the Milky Way.

• Free; advance registration begins Monday, April 17 for members (Wednesday, April 19 for the general public) at mos.org/events.

AND MORE Find out even more offerings at mos.org/events. Stories Under the Stars: Planet Tales Thursday, April 27; 7:30 p.m. Stars of STEM Celebration Come to the Charles Hayden Planetarium for an evening Thursday, April 13; 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. of live storytelling, radio, and music under the stars. Hear Show your Museum support! Enjoy a celebratory evening true stories (some astronomy related, some not) that ex- of dinner, drinks, and interactive experiences as we toast plore the theme of “Planet Tales.”. Some program content the honoree of the 2017 Stars of STEM—our generous may not be suitable for young audiences. Premier Partner MathWorks for its dedication to inspiring curious minds of all ages. • Fee: $15; purchase tickets in advance at mos.org/events. • Hosted by science reporter Ari Daniel and co-produced by Ari Daniel and the Museum of Science. Music performed by Mike Effenberger and Nick Phaneuf.

Cosmos Thursdays, May 11 and May 18; 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. Sunday, May 14; 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Join the Boston Choral Ensemble to explore the universe through sight and sound! The program includes live choral music concerning stars, planets, and the heavens as you watch a cosmic show overhead designed just for Following the dinner, please stay for our second annual the occasion in the Charles Hayden Planetarium. Sparks After Dark: The Stars of STEM Celebration After • Fee: $20 ($10 for students and seniors); purchase tickets in Party hosted by The Innovators. Enjoy dancing, late night advance at bostonchoral.org/cosmos. snacks, science-themed entertainment, and more! • For more information: 617-589-0185, OUR WORLD, OUR UNIVERSE [email protected], mos.org/starsofstem. Investigating the unknown, here and out there. • Individual ticket includes seated dinner, evening program, and after-party admission. (For after-party only, please visit Beyond the Telescope: mos.org/sparksafterdark.) Sponsorship opportunities are A Universe of a Different Color available for both. Wednesday, April 12; 7:00 p.m. Pink planets and green galaxies? Is space really so colorful? Join Kimberly Kowal Arcand, visualization lead Tall Ships Cruises for NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, as she explores the universe in different parts of the spectrum to find out Museum of Science members will have a how much we can learn about the cosmos when we look special opportunity to view the Tall Ships when beyond what human eyes can see. they visit Boston this June. We are offering members-only cruises through the Charles • This program is free thanks to the generosity of the River Boat Company. Watch your email for Lowell Institute. more details or visit mos.org/member-events. • Register in advance at mos.org/events. Exclusive Member Events Member Tips For more information, 617-589-0180, mos.org/members. • Take advantage of extended school vacation week Member Preview: POPnology hours: mos.org/hours. Saturday, April 29; 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. • Bring your current membership card for immediate Exhibit Halls entry as well as discounts in the Museum Be among the first to see this new temporary exhibition garage, store, and café. that blends the past, present, and future as punctuated by pop culture in a revolutionary experience. • Reserve tickets in advance. Call 617-723-2500 or visit mos.org just a few days before your arrival. Use • Free. No reservations required. your confirmation email to go straight to your venue. • Entrance is limited to the number of Exhibit Halls admissions • Take public transportation or have a backup plan for permitted with your membership level. Bring your active parking in case the Museum garage reaches capacity. membership card with you. See mos.org/parking for ideas. • For more information: 617-589-0180. • Avoid peak times by arriving before 10:30 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. Museum parking is first come, first served. Garage Member Appreciation Night payment is by credit or debit card only. Sunday, May 7; 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. • Arrive at least one hour before scheduled shows to Enjoy a members-only journey through the Exhibit Halls allow time for parking. Late entries to timed shows are not in a less-crowded setting and enjoy exclusive activities, permitted. plus free Butterfly Garden and 4-D Theater admission!

• Free with complimentary parking. No reservations required. Create Your Online Account! • Entrance is limited to the number of Exhibit Halls admissions Set up an online account linked to your permitted with your membership level. Be sure to bring your active membership card with you. membership and you will be able to: • Butterfly Garden and 4-D Theater tickets are first come, • Update your contact information first served. • Purchase and print your tickets at home • For more information: 617-589-0180. • Email tickets to a mobile device Let’s Celebrate July 4th! • Upon renewal you will receive electronic passes you Ticket Sales Start in April can redeem online, by phone, or in person. Celebrate with family entertainment, science activities, Go to mos.org/my-account. Enter your email and the Boston Pops Concert live via radio, capped by address and create a password. On the next fireworks over the Charles River. The annual members- screen, enter your name as it appears on your only event takes place on the Museum’s garage roof. membership card and click Merge Membership. Detailed ticketing and ordering information available on Enter only one name, even if there are two members mos.org in late April. printed on your card. • Ticket availability is limited to the number of Exhibit Halls Questions? Contact the membership department: admissions permitted with your membership level. 617-589-0180, [email protected]. • Tickets go on sale for Discoverers and Explorers Thursday, April 27; Premier Level members Tuesday, May 2; and Basic Level members Thursday, May 4. • All tickets are sold first come, first served. Events May For more information: 617-723-2500, mos.org/events. NanoDays Saturday, April 8; 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Imagine, discover, and explore a world too small to see. Celebrate nanoscale science and enjoy activities throughout the Exhibit Halls, including The Amazing Nano Brothers Juggling Show, guest

research presentations, and hands-on activities. Photo © Ashley McCabe

• Free with Exhibit Halls admission. Cambridge Science Festival • For more information: mos.org/nanodays. Friday, April 14 – Sunday, April 23 Did you know that the world’s largest air-insulated Van Boston Marathon® Days de Graaff generator (star of our famous Lightning! show) Saturdays, April 8 and 15, and Sundays, April 9 and was developed in Cambridge? Learn about this and more 16; during regular Exhibit Halls hours during the festival, which showcases science, technology, Learn the science behind long-distance running from engineering, and math in one of the strongest hubs of Museum educators and volunteers, guest speakers, and STEM in the United States! biology-related components in the Hall of Human Life. • Free with Exhibit Halls admission. On race day (Monday, April 17), watch a live feed of the race—and try to spot the Museum’s marathon runners! • For more information: mos.org/events and cambridgesciencefestival.org. • Free with Exhibit Halls admission.. • For more information on activities: mos.org/events. For Grow Your Food IQ Weekend information on the Museum’s Boston Marathon® fundraising Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7; team: mos.org/marathon. 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Learn about growing, cooking, and sharing through hands-on Sign up for Summer Courses! activities and presentations from food experts. Discover the Looking for stimulating fun for your kids this connections between food and summer? Sign up for a week (or more!) of science, technology, engineer- science courses running July – August. ing, and math.

Students entering grades 1 – 8 can choose • Free with Exhibit Halls from morning or afternoon classes—or create admission. a full day of fun! • For more information: mos.org/events. • For more information and to register: mos.org/courses. • Summer courses are offered early to Museum members. Not a member? Join today: 617-723-2500, mos.org/members.

The Museum of Science gratefully acknowledges the support of our The Museum’s exhibitions and educational programs receive Premier Partners: important support from individual members and donors like you. Additional support provided by:

Museum of Science 617-723-2500 mos.org 1 Museum News

1 Pixar Exhibit Journeys On 3 Museum of Inspiration The Science Behind Pixar—which explores how Bostonguide.com, a website that introduces Pixar Animation Studios combines science, travelers to the various things to do and see technology, engineering, and math with art in the Hub, recently ran a profile of Todd to create some of the world’s most popular Sperry, the Museum’s senior vice president for films—was a huge hit at the Museum when marketing strategy and communications. Sperry it was on exhibit from the spring of 2015 to shared his enthusiasm for the Museum that he Photo © Michael Malyszk Photo © Michael 2 January 2016. And the exhibition developed had even before joining the staff last year and by the Museum in collaboration with Pixar recent news, including Michael Bloomberg’s Animation Studios is still running strong! generous and unprecedented $50 million gift The first step on a 10-year tour was the to the institution. Sperry described the Museum Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Then it as “a place to come and get inspired!” took a cross-country trip to the California Science Center in Los Angeles, where the 4 Recognition for Museum President exhibit will be through April 16. Next up: the Ioannis Miaoulis, Museum president and Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul! director, received the Philip Hauge Abelson Prize from the American Association for the 2 Running for Traveling Programs Advancement of Science (AAAS) during a Museum Innovator Aleks Jan Jonca is on ceremony at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. Rush the Museum’s 16-member team running in Holt, CEO of AAAS, said Miaoulis’s recognition the 121st Boston Marathon® on April 17. “I was for his successful efforts to “champion the 3 am running in the Boston Marathon and public understanding of science and engineering fundraising because I believe in the Traveling [and] cultivate interest in engineering among Programs mission to bring the Museum K – 12 students,” among other achievements. experience to people who don’t generally have Specifically noted was Miaoulis’s work as the that opportunity. Similar programs in my founding director of the Museum’s National childhood were instrumental in my decision Center for Technological Literacy®. to pursue a career in engineering.” Since 2010 Museum runners have raised over $690,000 for Traveling Programs. Meet more runners and support the team at mos.org/marathon.

4 Did You Know? The DeLorean, the iconic car from the Back to the Future trilogy, was not a hit off-screen. Production ended after just two years due to poor sales. See the actual DeLorean used in Back to the Future: Part III in the Museum lobby when POPnology is here April 30 — September 4! EXHIBIT HALLS HOURS General Information • 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.

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING QUESTIONS? Call Science • PLAN AHEAD A state project on the Longfellow Bridge is rerouting traffic in front of the Central at 617-723-2500. 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 Sparks! APRIL – MAY 2017 • Parking Museum garage parking is available first come, first served. Members receive a discount. MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS BOSTON DUCK TOURS Director: Carl Zukroff Tickets sold on the front plaza. DUCKs depart from the driveway near the T. rex. Tours run daily, Editors: Christopher DelConte, April – November. For reservations: 617-267-3825, bostonducktours.com. Jonathan Friedman Art Director: Lori Sartre EVENT PLANNING Designers: Fanny Dines, Nicole Guzzo, Host your next event at the Museum of Science! Food services provided by Wolfgang Puck Lianne Stoddard Catering. For information: 617-589-0125 (Monday – Friday), [email protected]. Members are CONTRIBUTORS eligible for special rates. Anna Brophy, Gabriel Mosse, William Walsh

ACCESSIBILITY Sparks is published bimonthly. For information or accommodation requests: 617-589-3102, [email protected], Circulation: 55,000 mos.org/accessibility. Please request ASL interpreters at least two weeks in advance. © 2017 Museum of Science, Boston All rights reserved. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES William and Charlotte Bloomberg Science Education Center A transformational $50 million gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies solidifies the Museum’s position as one of the world’s premier educational institutions by ensuring the ability of our educators to create and STAY CONNECTED WITH share world-class exhibits, programs, and K – 12 curricula on a global scale. THE MUSEUM COMMUNITY!

Field Trips For updates, special offers, and fun science: 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! Member@ E-News at [email protected] For information and reservations: 617-589-0354, [email protected], mos.org/travelingprograms. Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Salem, NH Permit #151

POPnology See cover story

APRIL – MAY 2017

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

LAST CHANCE Exhibit Closes May 7 FREE FOR MEMBERS!

Photos (top, left to right): © 2002 Photodisc; Cacao bean used with permission of Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate, Incorporated; © Lindt & Sprüngli, Switzerland. Photo (bottom, middle): © The Trustees of the British Museum.