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SUMMER’S EARTH-SHATTERING EXHIBITION - NOW OPEN

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2 HMNS Catalysts

3HMNS Own It

General Information

4 - 5Nature Unleashed

6 - 7Magna Carta

8 - 9Bulgari:

130 Years of Masterpieces

10Battleship Texas

11D-Day: Normandy 1944

12 - 13Wortham Giant Screen Theatre

14 - 15Burke Baker Planetarium

16George Observatory

17HMNS @ Sugar Land

18Adult Education

Travel

19Cockrell Butterfly Center

20For Teachers

21Just For Kids

22 - 23Events CalendarMuseum Store

Mixers and Elixirs

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More than your typical young professionals group, the HMNS Catalysts go beyond cocktail hours and theme parties to encompass a dedicated membership level for the next generation of loyal, life-long HMNS patrons.

The HMNS Catalysts are a diverse, vivacious group of young HMNS members in their 20s and 30s, committed to the idea that science is an action that causes a reaction — and everyone should know it.

Individual - $100Member benefits for one person

Dual - $125Member benefits for two people

Make things happen with the HMNS Catalysts!

NEW YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP

Benefits of Catalyst Membership

• Invitation and two drink tickets to four HMNS Catalyst social events per year.• Discounted ticket to each HMNS Catalyst event for a friend.• One free ticket to all Mixers & Elixirs.

CATALYSTS MEMBERS EVENT

Thursday, August 216 - 8 p.m.Free for HMNS Catalysts MembersMembers and Catalyst Guests $15General Public $20

Cash bar and light bites. Catalysts Members receive two drink tickets. This event is only for adults ages 21 and up. Please call (713) 639-4629 to join the HMNS Catalysts and to reserve your tickets.

MAIN CAMPUS

(713) 639-4629www.hmns.org5555 Hermann Park DriveHouston, Texas 77030

HOURS OF OPERATIONSummer Hours, through August 24:9 a.m. - 6 p.m.Regular Hours, begin August 25: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Labor Day WeekendAugust 30 - September 1: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Check our website for film schedules and special closures. Permanent Exhibit Halls FREE after 3 p.m. on Thursdays.

ADVANCE PURCHASES(713) 639-4629Monday - Sunday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.Online at www.store.hmns.orgHandling fee for phone orders only.

MEMBER TICKETSNumber of discounted tickets by membership level: Individual, Student & Senior, 1; Dual, 2; Family level & above, 2 adults & 4 children.

PARKINGMember $5, nonmember $10, all others $20

MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS(713) 639-4616, TTY (713) 639-4687membership@hmns.org

SPECIAL SERVICESCall (713) 639-4629. Wheelchairs provided at no cost, subject to availability.

FIELD TRIPSFor all venues: (713) 639-4659, www.hmns.org/fieldtrips

BIRTHDAY PARTIES(713) 639-4646, www.hmns.org/birthdaysParty Smarty at Main Campusand Sugar Land; (281) 242-3055Expedition Center Birthday Mission at theGeorge Observatory.

BUILDING RENTALSPECIAL EVENTS(713) 639-4749, www.rentthemuseum.org

SUGAR LAND

(281) 313-2277www.hmns.org/sugarland13016 University BoulevardSugar Land, Texas 77479

HOURS OF OPERATIONSummer Hours, through August 24: Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Sunday: noon - 5 p.m.Regular Hours, begin August 25:Thursday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Sunday: noon - 5 p.m.Monday - Wednesday: open for field trips with advance bookingLabor Day, September 1: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

GEORGE OBSERVATORY

(281) 242-3055www.hmns.org/observatory Located in Brazos Bend State Park.Park entrance fee: $7 per person; freefor ages 12 & under. Private groups canschedule tours, Expedition Center missions and astronomy classes, call (281) 242-3055.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

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Earthquakes. Tornadoes. Hurricanes. Volcanoes. Tsunamis. These immense geological and meteorological forces shape our violent planet and our lives. Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters explores the fascinating science behind these powerful natural phenomena and highlights their impacts on human lives.

Nature Unleashed features real objects that tell powerful stories—about natural disasters and the resilience and creativity of the people who survive and study them. Highly interactive and immersive, this exhibition features visceral experiences, compelling media and multi-disciplinary science that go beyond the sensational headlines to explore Earth's most impressive natural events.

Earthquakes & Tsunamis

See firsthand the technologies that scientists use to monitor and understand Earth’s geologic

activity. Then create your own quake and trigger a virtual tsunami.

Volcanoes

Build your own volcano and make it erupt in a large-screen interactive, and delve into the science and stories behind history’s major volcanic eruptions.

Hurricanes

See real tools that scientists have used over thelast century to track weather conditions and anticipate massive storms, and learn how a hurricane gets its start.

Tornadoes

Experience the roar of a tornado from the inside in

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a surround-sound “tornado theatre” that features actual footage from within a twister, and get an up-close look at the damage caused by an EF-5 tornado.

Nature Unleashed also addresses the future. What can we expect to see in the future as these powerful events continue to unfold? From early-warning networks to sustainable city planning, natural disasters have inspired great leaps in human creativity. What’s next?

Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters was organized by The Field Museum. It will be on exhibition at HMNS through September 14, 2014.

PLANETARIUM FILM

Force 5More info on page 15

FILM SCREENING

“The Hundred Year Hunt for the Red Sprite” Tuesday, July 15, 6:30 p.m.Tickets $18, Members $12

For over a century, people, including well-respected scientists, had reported seeing strange, unexplained lights in the night sky about thunderstorms. In 1989 the first such event was captured on a video recording.

With advancing technology, the search for thunderstorm-related electrical phenomena, now known as red sprites, has applications in astronomy, space science and meteorology. Witness stunning images of red sprites with filmmaker Peter McLeish and Dr. Edgar Bering, professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Houston.

The Pen and the Sword – Which is Mightier?Which one was mightier? The pen or the sword? The Magna Carta exhibit shows that it all depends on your perspective. If we could all travel back in time to the mid-12th century, we would all favor the sword as the mightier of the two. However, from our own 21st-century perspective, it would be the pen, or its legacy, that carries the day.

When King Henry II and his sons ruled the Angevin Empire, they were faced with a constant threat of war, mainly from France. Mainland European territories belonging to the English Crown such as Normandy, Brittany, Anjou, Maine and Aquitaine, were treasured possessions. They were equally prized by the King of France.

When not actually engaged in hostilities, both kingdoms were always on the brink of war. In those days, the sword was indeed mightier than the pen. Yet, the never ending demand for soldiers and money to pay them led to friction between the Crown and the aristocracy, especially the barons, a situation that ultimately resulted in Magna Carta.

In 1215, King John was forced to affix his seal of approval to a Charter of Liberties, more commonly known to us as Magna Carta (though technically not quite yet referred to as such). He was forced to agree to limitations to what had previously been unlimited power. This 1215 document and its 1217 re-incarnation (now on display at HMNS) form the basis for the Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution. Today, swords have become objects seen in a museum; the legacy of the pen—or, rather, a quill—has proven to

be much more lasting. Without Magna Carta, our democracy would look very different indeed.

You can see swords and quills in the Magna Carta exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Try your hand at lifting a replica of a jousting spear, find out what your career path would have been eight centuries ago, design your own coat of arms and then email it to yourself. Make sure you see the King’s Writ and the 1217 Magna Carta, both on loan from Hereford Cathedral.

The loan of the documents is a partnership arrangement between the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Chapter of Hereford Cathedral and Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust.

Magna Carta is generously underwritten, in part, by The Hamill Foundation; The Harriet and Truett Latimer Endowment Fund; Dianne and George Lindahl; Kathrine G. McGovern; Kelly and Bill Montgomery; Laurie and Reed Morian; Elizabeth and Gary Petersen; HMW Entertainment; George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation; Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co.; Vinson & Elkins LLP and Lisa Young and Matt Assiff.

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Magna CartaOn Exhibition Through August 17

Distinguished Lecture

“The Bayeux Tapestry: The Story-Telling Textile of the Norman Conquest” Pam Holland, Author and ArtistTuesday, July 22, 6:30 p.m.Tickets $18, Members $12Sponsored by the Favrot Fund

An embroidered textile 230 feet long, the Bayeux Tapestry recounts the story of the conquest of England by the Normans in 1066. Professional quilter Pam Holland of Australia has nearly completed a full-scale quilted replica of the Bayeux Tapestry. In the process of her work and research, she has become one of the leading experts on the original piece which is on display in Normandy, France.

Behind-the-Scenes TourWednesday, July 16, 6 p.m.Tickets $30, Members $20

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Hands-On Adult Classes

“Calligraphy, From Quill to Pen”Thursday, July 10, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.Tickets $79, Members $69

In this beginner-level class, Cindy Haller, Houston Calligraphy Guild instructor, will teach you to use a dip pen and ink to create the italic script, and introduce you to the history of English script writing.

“Chain Maille Fashioning”Saturday, August 16, 9 a.m. - noonTickets $95, Members $80

Chains have been handmade since men found out how to work metals. The earliest evidence of chain maille dates to the 4th century. It remained a staple in medieval battlefield armor for centuries, and is still used for protection today. Instructor Karen Burns will teach you to fashion chain maille and you will complete an intricate Byzantine link bracelet.

Cultural Feast

“A Medieval Culinaria”Tuesday, August 12, 7 p.m.Hosted at Tony’sTickets $125, Members $115

Aristocratic dining at the time of Magna Carta fused Anglo-Saxon and Norman traditions with exotic flavors and ingredients introduced by Crusaders returning from the Holy Land via Mediterranean islands such as Sicily and Cyprus. In addition, family ties, including the marriage of King John’s sister to William II of Sicily, played an important role in this culinary fusion. Feasting, revelry and courtly manners were important markers of prestige and power. Explore the culinary world of the barons and King John. Tony Vallone and culinary historian Merrianne Timko have created a menu inspired by these historical complexities to delight our modern palates.

Magna Carta EventsTHESE PROGRAMS ARE GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY THE BRITISH COUNCIL.

THROUGH OCTOBER 5

From his first jewelry shop in Rome, Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari pioneered a level of skill and vision that set the stage for audacious designs and distinctive style that would become known as the “Italian School” of jewelry design. After the company moved to its flagship store on the prestigious Via dei Condotti in Rome in 1905, Sotirio’s sons changed the spelling of the name to BVLGARI with the original Latin “V” of the family name.

Inspired by the art and architecture of Ancient Greece and Rome, Bulgari would soon become synonymous with the Eternal City, revolutionizing jewelry design in the process. The powerful motifs that have forged the Bulgari legend are all represented in this exhibition.

Among these are the renowned Serpente and Monete collections, both examples of how mythologies of the past inspired Bulgari to translate them into a contemporary language that remains current and vibrant today.

Boasting distinctive shapes, fabulous stones, brilliant colors, and unparalleled craftsmanship, Bulgari̓ s extraordinary designs have long attracted legions of strong, beautiful women. By the time the company opened its first U.S. store in New York in 1971, it had already cemented its status as the preeminent jeweler to the stars.

“Equal parts art and science, historic and modern, Bulgari not only pays homage to the great masters of the past, they also continuously push the envelope in jewelry design and cutting-edge technology into the future when

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so many others are content to merely rest on their laurels,” says Joel A. Bartsch, HMNS president.

Included in the Houston exhibition are pieces from the collection of Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who became almost as famous for her love of Bulgari jewels as for her on-screen triumphs.

Other pieces in the exhibition belonged to or were worn by iconic women past and present, including Sophia Loren, Ingrid Bergman, Grace Kelly, Isabella Rossellini, Juliette Binoche, Jennifer Aniston, Claudia Schiffer, Elizabeth

Hurley, Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore. Houston icons Lynn Wyatt and Joanne King Herring have loaned pieces for the exhibition.

This exhibition includes 150 sizable pieces of jewelry from Bulgari s̓ Heritage Collection—including masterpieces from the historical archives of the company headquarters in Rome, or on loan from private collections. This exclusive retrospective marks the first time the storied jeweler has showcased pieces representing every period since its Roman beginnings in 1884, making

Bulgari: 130 Years of Masterpieces a once-in-a-lifetime event.

This exhibition is organized by the Houston Museum of Natural Science in collaboration with Bulgari. Local support is provided by Northern Trust. It will be on exhibition at HMNS through October 5, 2014.

BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOURS

Bulgari: 130 Years of MasterpiecesWednesday, July 16, 6 p.m.Tuesday, August 19, 6 p.m.Tickets $37, Members $24

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Battleship Texas—the most powerful naval weapon in the world at the time of her commissioning in 1914—is the only surviving U.S. Navy vessel that fought in battles in both World War I and World War II, including D-Day.

The exhibition showcases 60 artifacts of USS Texas, including a never-before-displayed flag that flew on the ship during the D-Day operation and a shell that hit the vessel but did not explode. Historical photographs and personal items from men who served aboard the ship are also on display, with a special listening station that features crewmembers’ memories of service aboard the Battleship Texas.

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the battleship’s commissioning, this exhibition is organized by the Houston Museum of Natural Science with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Special Exhibition, Free with Museum Admission

– Battleship Texas State Historic Site. It is on display at HMNS through Veteran’s Day.

DAY EXCURSION

“Battleship Texas Behind-the-Scenes Tour”Sunday, July 20, 9 a.m.Tickets $49, Members $39

Climb 60 feet above the water to the flying bridge or down 20 feet below the water into the engine room. Tour the restored sleeping quarters and medical facilities, engine room, guns and anchors with historian guides. Our group will also receive special access to parts of the ship not open to the public and enjoy a special presentation by director Andy Smith. Participants will meet at San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site.

BATTLESHIP TEXASTHE LAST OF THE DREADNOUGHT BATTLESHIPS

WORTHAM GIANT SCREEN THEATREFilms and showtimes may change. Please visit www.hmns.org for current schedule and more information about each film.

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70 Years Ago, A Historic Landing Changed the World

On June 6, 1944, the largest Allied operation of World War II began in Normandy, France. Yet, few know in detail exactly why and how, from the end of 1943 through August 1944, this region became the most important location in the world.

Blending multiple cinematographic techniques, including animation, CGI and stunning live-action images in 3D, D-Day 3D: Normandy 1944 brings this monumental event to the world’s largest screens for the first time ever. Audiences of all ages, including new generations, will discover from a new perspective how this landing changed the world. Exploring history, military strategy, science, technology and human values, the film will educate and appeal to all. Narrated by Tom Brokaw, D-Day 3D: Normandy 1944 pays tribute to those who gave their lives for our freedom.

Local support is provided by IBERIABANK. Recommended for all audiences.

DISTINGUISHED LECTURESTickets $18, Members $12Sponsored by the Favrot Fund

“The D-Day Assault”Peter Burland,U.S. Army Military IntelligenceTuesday, July 15, 6:30 p.m.

With the backdrop of his aerial surveillance photography of Normandy beaches taken several months before the assault, Peter Burland, Special Forces of U.S. Army Military Intelligence Service, will explain preparations for the massive D-Day operations, and will recall the landing of the Allied forces on June 6, 1943. A hero of Omaha Beach, Burland and his military intelligence team attached to the 2nd Armored Division.

“Home Front: Texas in WWII”Tuesday, August 26, 6:30 p.m.Mike Vance, Historian

The Texas home front during World War II was the beginning of a shift that would change Texas from rural to urban. The state was home to many military bases. All along the coast were anti-aircraft guns, concrete bunkers and even reconnaissance blimps. German U-boats did indeed ply Gulf waters, looking for Allied shipping while captured Germans picked Texas fruit and tended Texas livestock.

EVENING SCREENING

D-Day 3D: Normandy 1944 Wednesday, July 30, 6:30 p.m.Tickets $18, Members $12

Join Omaha Beach hero Peter Burland for a special screening of D-Day 3D: Normandy 1944. Following the film Master Sergeant Burland will field questions from the audience.

WORTHAM GIANT SCREEN THEATREFilms and showtimes may change. Please visit www.hmns.org for current schedule and more information about each film.

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Descriptions available at www.hmns.org. Proceeds from the sale of all Wortham Giant Screen film tickets help further the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s nonprofit mission. Your support counts!

Witness the release of delightful pandas bred in captivity, and follow a group of wild pandas in their mountain habitat as captured by National Geographic Entertainment in Pandas: The Journey Home. Meet the pandas of the Wolong Panda Center in China as they get ready for their new lives in the wild, and learn about their fascinating habits as you chuckle

at their hijinks. Pandas are as much fun as they are cute, and they love getting the best of their keepers. Experience the dedication of the scientists who work tirelessly on behalf of this amazing animal. Follow one panda in particular, Tao Tao, as he is released into the bamboo forest to begin his adventure living in the wild.

WORTHAM GIANT SCREEN THEATREFilms and showtimes may change. Please visit www.hmns.org for current schedule and more information about each film.

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Descriptions available at www.hmns.org. Proceeds from the sale of all Wortham Giant Screen film tickets help further the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s nonprofit mission. Your support counts!

In the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, there is a paradise unlike any other: the Galapagos Archipelago. Amongst these fascinating and remote volcanic islands, life has played out over millions of years in relative isolation. The result is a wonderland of nature, with a remarkable collection of plants and charismatic animals that have all adapted to this unique environment. Explore these extraordinary islands with the remarkable inhabitants—giant half-ton tortoises, marine iguanas that spit sea-salt from their noses, tropical albatrosses and colorful blue-footed boobies—that helped change the way we understand nature.

Fridays at 7 p.m.Tickets $6

July 4: Frozen (2013)July 11: The Mummy (1999)July 25: The Terminator (1984)August 8: Sharknado (2013)August 22: JAWS (1975)

Sing-a-Long September! September 5: Sing-a-long Frozen (2013)September 26: Sing-a-long Grease (1978)

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Burke Baker Planetarium

Passport to the UniverseNow Showing

As new scientific discoveries reveal answers to cosmic mysteries, we wonder how we fit into this vast universe. What is our place in space? Tom Hanks takes audiences on an unforgettable voyage of billions of light years, an incredible journey from our home planet and the Milky Way Galaxy to the edge of the universe. Audiences fly beneath the rings of Saturn, into the heart of the Orion Nebula, to the edge of the observable universe, and back to Earth through a black hole, experiencing these and other stunning cosmic destinations.

Created in collaboration with NASA, Passport to the Universe relies on an unprecedented database containing over three billion stars and on data and visualizations from the world’s top astrophysics and research institutions. The combination of these incredible

TWO NEW PLANETARIUM SHOWS PREMIERE SUMMER 2014

resources results in an immersive experience that educates and inspires, taking audiences on a virtual tour to the limits of the universe and back again.

Back To the Moon for GoodPremieres Friday, July 4

It’s been 45 years since Neil Armstrong said, “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.” The Apollo program ended in 1972 after the United States completed six Apollo missions, landing 12 astronauts on the lunar surface.

Now the Moon is trending again in a big way. Like in the glory days of the 1960s and 1970s, our big natural space station is enjoying the attention of lunar explorers. Only this time, they are going back to the moon for good. Not only did China recently land a robot spacecraft on the moon, but it also deployed a rover to wander across the lunar surface. Other countries have been

getting in on the action too, like India and Japan. And the U.S. has new probes in orbit around the moon.

The new planetarium film Back To The Moon For Good, narrated by actor Tim Allen, offers a stunning glimpse of a plausible scenario for our future on the Moon.

Following a virtual moon mission, complete with a launch, landing and a tour of the lunar surface, Back to the Moon For Good chronicles teams around the world competing for the largest incentivized prize in history: $30 million-dollar Google Lunar X-Prize. To win, a team must land a robotic spacecraft on the Moon, navigate 500 meters over the lunar surface, and send video, images and data back to Earth. This global competition is designed to spark imagination and inspire a renewed commitment to space exploration; not by governments or countries—but by the citizens of the world.

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ROCKET DAY FOR KIDSSaturday, July 12, 10 a.m. - noon Tickets $20 per child Build and launch water rockets before taking an Expedition to the Moon in the newly redesigned Expedition Center at the George Observatory. Fuel your imagination in this interactive simulation! Fun for students and adults. Information and tickets at www.hmns.org/observatory.

MEMBER’S NIGHT Friday, August 8, 8 - 10 p.m.Free with paid park admission fee.

Mars and Saturn will be highlights this evening, along with the waxing Moon. Summer constellations feature Scorpio and Sagittarius. Reserve early as this event will sell out! Call (713) 639-4629 for reservations.

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GEORGEOBSERVATORYENJOY THE SUMMER SKIES AT THE GEORGE OBSERVATORY

PERSEID METEOR SHOWER Tuesday, August 12, 7 p.m. - Wednesday, August 13, 2 a.m.Tickets $5

Witness meteors hit and graze the top of our atmosphere, forming long tails and beautiful “shooting stars.” The large waxing Moon will not obscure the most beautiful Earth-grazing meteors, which are expected to be seen between 10 p.m. and midnight—if the skies are clear.

SATURDAYS AT THE GEORGETelescope Tickets $5, Members $4.50Discovery Dome Tickets $3, Members $2.50

View the night sky through the large Observatory telescopes every Saturday evening until 10 p.m. Gift Shop,

exhibits and Discovery Dome open at 3 p.m. Telescope tickets go on sale at 5 p.m. Viewing begins at dusk.

The George Observatory is located in Brazos Bend State Park (park entrance fee: adults $7, kids 12 and under free). Directions are posted at www.hmns.org/observatory.

25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONFriday, October 10 - Sunday, October 12, dusk - 11 p.m. each day

Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the George Observatory and the completion of the repairs to Gueymard telescope’s mirror and dome—thanks to the success of the S.O.S. campaign.

BODY CARNIVAL:THE SCIENCE AND FUN OF BEING YOU!On Exhibition Through August 24

Step right up, folks, and discover what happens when perception and the laws of physics collide in your human body! Children and adults alike will have more fun than you can imagine while investigating the effects of balance, force, pressure, light and color. Your balance will be tested in the 10-foot long Dizzy Tunnel, or with a walk on the plank, while our vision-distorting goggles challenge you to travel a straight line.

Do you have quick reflexes? Are you more flexible than average? With 18 interactive stations, there’s plenty to learn and explore. Don’t miss this golden opportunity to discover more about the science behind how your body moves!

BODY CARNIVAL SPECIAL EVENTS

“The Doctor Is In”Thursdays, June 19 - August 711 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Don’t miss the chance to join our local exhibit sponsor, Next Level Urgent Care, for special activities in the exhibit this summer. During “The Doctor Is

In,” learn more about the physiology behind the fun interactive stations with the help of a Next Level health provider. Physicians, physician’s assistants, nurses or physical therapists will be on hand every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help patrons learn even more as they explore the exhibit.

“Teddy Bear Clinic”Thursday, August 142 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Get your favorite teddy—or maybe dino—ready to go back to school! Bring your special friend in for a “check-up.” Listen to their heart, patch up any boo boos, and take care of all your little stuffed friend’s summer scrapes. We’ll have crafts, snacks and lots of fun!

FAMILY FESTIVAL

Chemistry Extravaganza!Friday, July 18, 6 - 9 p.m.Tickets $12, Members $8

At the Chemistry Extravaganza, step behind the curtain for a whole new take on how this part of the scientific world affects us. Mix, stir and mash around the T. rex pit as you make all kinds of goopy fun. Visit the Da Vinci Lab to exercise both sides of your brain: learn what compounds go into making paint and then create your own museum-themed masterpiece.

Catch one of our behind-the-scenes experiment shows with a real Nalco Champion chemist. It’s our biggest chemistry bash of the year!

XPLORATION SUMMER CAMP AT SUGAR LAND!

Two new themes, Nature Unleashed and Leonardo’s Workshop, are added to the 2014 Sugar Land camp experiences. Visit www.hmns.org/summercamp for the latest camp information and open the gateway to a summer full of learning and fun. (More info on page 21.)

July 7 - 11July 21 - 25July 28 - August 1August 11 - 15

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The Science and Fun of Being You!

This course is led by experts in the fields of upstream, downstream and energy economics in the 21st century, including energy alternatives. Breakfast, lunch and a tour of the Wiess Energy Hall are included.

DISTINGUISHED LECTURESSponsored by the Favrot FundTickets $18, Members $12

“Cosmic Cocktail: Three Parts Dark Matter”Katherine Freese, Ph.D.,University of MichiganWednesday, September 3, 6:30 p.m.

The ordinary atoms that make up the known universe—from our bodies and the air we breathe to the planets and stars—constitute only 5 percent of all matter and energy in the cosmos. The rest are known as dark matter and dark energy, because their precise identities are unknown. Book signing following lecture.

“Exploration to Exploitation:The Road From Plant Discovery to Market”Tony Avent,Juniper Level Botanic Gardens Thursday, September 4, 6:30 p.m.

In this behind-the-scenes look into the nursery world, Tony Avent will share the secrets of how and why new plants fit into different market niches. This lecture is cosponsored with the Mercer Society with support from Houston Advanced Research Center and Kava King Products.

CULTURAL FEAST

“Oktoberfest: The History & Science of Beer”Tuesday, September 23, 7 p.m.Tickets $59, Members $49 Hosted at St. Arnold Brewing Company

Join HMNS at St. Arnold Brewing Co. for the history and science of beer making. Tour St. Arnold’s production

facility with founder Brock Wagner and special guest Scott Birdwell of DeFalco’s Home Wine and Beer. Drink your fill of brew and snack on Bavarian pretzels and sausage. 21 and up only.

BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOURS

“HMNS Offsite Collections Storage”Monday, August 4, 1:30 p.m. & 6 p.m.Tickets $125, Members $95

Millions of artifacts and specimens are housed at the Museum’s offsite collections storage. Participants will see old favorites no longer on display, and new acquisitions that have not yet been seen by the public. Reservations are required in advance.

ADULT HANDS-ON CLASS

“Nature Photography Workshop”Wednesday, August 6, 2:30 - 6:30 p.m.Tickets $200, Members $150

In this exotic photography adventure, you will learn how to get the best nature shots possible when photographing animals, insects and flora. Professional animal and nature photographer and instructor Amy Shutt will teach you the basics of your DSLR camera before venturing out to photograph the insects, animals, flowers, plants and waterfall in the Cockrell Butterfly Center.

All participants will receive one-on-one instruction with their personal equipment. More info at www.hmns.org/adults.

ADULT EDUCATIONTRAVELItineraries and registration information at www.hmns.org/travel.

New Orleans Culinary Insider TourOctober 17 - 19, 2014

Tour the flavors and history of New Orleans cuisine, featuring access to the city’s iconic kitchens and chefs on this culinary expedition with Danny Trace, executive chef at Brennan’s of Houston, mixologist Richard Middleton, and culinary historian Merrianne Timko.

Israel, The Heritage and The HopeNovember 1 - 13, 2014

Experience the Holy Land’s unmatched history, archaeological treasures and religious cultures with Dr. Dirk Van Tuerenhout, HMNS curator of anthropology, with optional extension to the ancient metropolis of Petra.

Sanibel & Captiva ShellingApril 12 - 16, 2015

In this coastal adventure with Tina Petway, HMNS associate curator of malacology, you will comb the beaches of the best shelling grounds in the continental U.S. You will also experience diverse marine life and wildlife of this threatened ecosystem.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASS

“An Overview of the Energy Industry”Thursday, September 258:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.$200 per person

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19Butterfly gardening in Houston gets tough in the summer. It is very hot; some plants go into diapause, and the dryness shortens butterflies’ lifespans. But the real summertime challenge for butterfly gardeners is wasps.

Several types of wasp attack caterpillars. Some small wasps are internal parasites, but the wasps most obvious in our area—and most distressing to butterfly gardeners—are the large red Polistes carolinus and the somewhat smaller, yellow and black European paper wasp, Polistes dominulus. These are both social species that build small paper nests, often near human habitations—under eaves and on porches for example. For the most part, these wasps are not aggressive, but if they are swatted, or their colony is threatened, they can and do sting—and the sting is painful.

Polistes wasps are voracious predators of caterpillars, which they feed to their larvae. They are thus considered beneficial insects, and indeed it is likely that they eat far more “pest”

caterpillars than butterfly caterpillars. However, it can be quite upsetting for the avid butterfly gardener to see a wasp systematically patrol a milkweed or other hostplant and efficiently find and dismember any caterpillars feeding on it.

After they have stung, masticated, and rolled their prey up into a ball, off they fly back to the nest to stuff the juicy package in a cell for a hungry larva. And once a wasp learns the location of a host plant where she has found prey, she will come back to check it on a regular basis.

“Being someone who tries to do no harm, and who recognizes that wasps, too, have their place in the natural balance, I do not try to eliminate wasps,” says Cockrell Butterfly Center director Nancy Greig, who suggests an alternative to protect one’s baby butterflies, a.k.a. caterpillars.

Caterpillars can be brought indoors until they pupate; or, outdoors, you can keep wasps away by using some sort of screen enclosure over the host plant;

however, this also keeps out female butterflies coming to lay more eggs. “Personally, I mostly give up in the summertime and recognize it is wasp season. Wasps don’t seem to be nearly as active in spring or fall, and more caterpillars survive during these times.”

Next time you see a wasp, don’t run for the can of poison, but take the time to observe and admire it. Unless the nest is in an area you are likely to disturb and thus risk getting stung, why not live and let live?

DEFENDING YOUR GARDEN‘S BUTTERFLIES

Photo: Valerie Bugh Photo: Wikipedia

Photo: Nancy Greig

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F O R T E A C H E R SMORE INFO FOR ALL WORKSHOPS AND OVERNIGHTS AT 713-639-4629 OR WWW.HMNS.ORG.

SUMMER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

F.O.C.U.S! Differentiating Curriculum through Chunking, Brain Breaks and FoldablesAvailable dates: August 4, 5, 7, 8$60 per educator

Earn 6 hours of CPE credit in a new TAGT-approved Gifted and Talented workshop. This class is offered on numerous dates this summer. Call (713) 639-4708 or e-mail giftedandtalented@hmns.org for more information.

2014 - 2015 HMNS Educator’s Guide is coming soon!Look for this out-of-this-world publication in August. It will also be available online at www.hmns.org/educatorguide.

SUMMER ENERGY FIELD TRIPS FOR TEACHERSJuly 7 - 9, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.July 28 - 30, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tickets $45 per session

Get an inside look at the relationship between science and energy careers in these three-day workshops touring diverse sites that play different roles in the energy industry. Learn how you can help students connect their abilities and personal interests to promising careers that are in demand—and see TEKS concepts in action.

You may register for one or both sessions. Lunch and transportation to/from HMNS and the sites is provided. 24 hours of SBEC credit awarded for elementary, middle and high school science teachers, as well as career awareness program staff. For more information contact ecc@hmns.org.

WEEKDAY SCIENCE LABSCost per lab is $165 - $200

An enriching addition to a field trip, these self-contained investigations feature Museum specimens, artifacts and laboratory equipment. Students examine ancient objects, investigate technology, meet live animals and conduct scientific experiments in five different, themed labs. Each lab is one hour, has a 25-student capacity and includes admission to the permanent exhibit halls. Available at HMNS in Hermann Park and HMNS at Sugar Land.

September Lab Topics:

Conoco Phillips Techno Science Lab for Grades 1-8

Optical Illusions - Investigate ambiguous pictures, impossible shapes, strobe effects and other amazing illusions.

Dissection Lab for Grades 5-10

Colossal Calamari - What animal uses jet propulsion and has its own ink supply? Discover this and more as you delve deep into this intriguing cephalopod, the squid. Includes squid dissection.

Wildlife Lab for Grades 1-8

Just Keep Swimming - Become an amateur ichthyologist in this lab all about fish fins. After class, test your knowledge in the Museum’s Alfred C. Glassell, Jr. Hall.

LABS ON DEMAND

Need help with a TEKS objective? Want a lab experience for your field trip? Each lab is tailored to your grade level and can be held at the Museum or in your classroom. $200 per presentation (maximum 25 students), plus $75 travel fee for onsite presentations.

Topics Available:

Chemistry, Force and Motion, Electricity, Light and Optics, Magnets, Storm Science, Ancient Egypt, Cells, Earth Science, and Dissection.

EXXONMOBIL TEACHER TUESDAY WORKSHOP

“Battleship Texas”Tuesday, September 30, 5 p.m.$25 per educator (Grades 4-10)

Discover the riveting history of the Battleship Texas, the first battleship memorial museum in the United States, and tour artifacts with the exhibit curator. Dinner is provided. Each workshop and participants receive 3 hours of CPE credit.

OUTREACH PROGRAMS Bring the Museum to Your Classroom!

For more information and scheduling: www.hmns.org/outreach, outreach@hmns.org, (713) 639-4758.

Chevron Earth Science on Wheels

ConocoPhillips Science on Stage

Docents to Go

TOTAL Wildlife on Wheels

Discovery Dome

Bugs on Wheels

It is time to register for Xplorations Summer Camp at HMNS in Hermann Park and HMNS at Sugar Land. With more sensational science than ever before, a summer of adventure awaits you at HMNS. Register early to secure your camp spots!

For more information on all of our camp offerings, please visit www.hmns.org/summercamp. For questions, email xplorations@hmns.org or call (713) 639-4625.

Main Campus Camp Dates

July 14 - 18July 21 - 25August 4 - 8August 11 - 15

HMNS at Sugar Land Camp Dates

July 7 - 11July 21 - 25July 28 - August 1August 11 - 15

SUMMER SCOUT ACADEMYVisit www.hmns.org/scouts for complete schedule of summer scout classes.

The Summer Scout Academy for Boy and Girl Scouts is a series of week-long classes designed to help Scouts earn multiple badges in a week using the best resources the Museum has—the exhibition halls and the most knowledgeable instructors available.

Several of the Boy Scout classes focus on merit badges that are required for the rank of Eagle Scout. There are topics to pique every interest—from Citizenship, American Heritage and Genealogy, to Environmental Science, Astronomy and Space Exploration, and on to high-tech Robotics, Inventing, Digital Technology, Photography and Graphic Arts.

In a week full of experimenting, exploring and building, Webelos have an opportunity to earn five activity badges—Engineering, Forester, Geologist, Naturalist, and Scientist.

Girl Scouts can earn several badges in one week creating hands-on experiments that can be taken home in Brownies Super Science and Juniors Super Science. In addition to the popular Careers in Science classes for Juniors through Ambassadors offered on Saturdays, a special summer edition investigates a new set of science and technology possibilities—anthropology, energy, engineering, environmental science, and space exploration.

PARTY SMARTY

Let HMNS handle all of the birthday party planning for you—the decorations, entertainment, craft project, party favors, and party coordinator. Party packages begin at $350. Themes: Dinosaur, Ancient Egypt, Butterfly/Bugs, Astronomy. Deluxe packages also available: Partysaurus, Winged Wonderland, Galactic Gathering. Visit www.hmns.org/birthdays for complete party planning info, including optional add-ons.

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SUMMER 2014Science Adventures for kids ages 6-12

J U LYBODY CARNIVAL EVENT – SUGAR LAND“The Doctor Is In”Thursday, July 3, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. (page 17)

TAKE 2FrozenFriday, July 4, 7 p.m. (page 13)

SUMMER ENERGY FIELD TRIP FOR TEACHERSMonday, July 7 – Wednesday, July 9, (page 20)

HANDS-ON CLASS FOR ADULTS“Calligraphy, From Quill to Pen”Thursday, July 10, 9:30 a.m. (page 7)

TAKE 2The Mummy Friday, July 11, 7 p.m. (page 13)

ROCKET DAY FOR KIDSGeorge ObservatorySaturday, July 12, 10 a.m. - noon (page 16)

DISTINGUISHED LECTURE“The D-Day Assault”Tuesday, July 15, 6:30 p.m. (page 11)

FILM SCREENING “The Hundred Year Hunt for the Red Sprite” Tuesday, July 15, 6:30 p.m. (page 5)

BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOURS Bulgari: 130 Years of Masterpieces (page 9)Magna Carta (page 7)Wednesday, July 16, 6 p.m.

BODY CARNIVAL EVENT - SUGAR LAND“Teddy Bear Clinic”Friday, July 18, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. (page 17)

FAMILY FESTIVAL -SUGAR LAND Chemistry Extravaganza! Friday, July 18, 6 - 9 p.m. (page 17)

DAY EXCURSION“Battleship Texas Behind-the-Scenes Tour”Saturday, July 20, 9 a.m. (page 10)

DISTINGUISHED LECTURE“The Bayeux Tapestry: The Story-Telling Textile of the Norman Conquest” Tuesday, July 22, 6:30 p.m. (page 7)

TAKE 2The Terminator Friday, July 25, 7 p.m. (page 13)

SUMMER ENERGY FIELD TRIP FOR TEACHERSMonday, July 28 – Wednesday, July 30 (page 20)

EVENING SCREENINGD-Day 3D: Normandy 1944 Wednesday, July 30, 6:30 p.m. (page 11)

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Summer Trunk ShowsFridays, July 18 - August 8, noon to 4 p.m.

Jump start the season and treat yourself at our Summer Trunk Shows!

Whether you’re chillin’ poolside or headed to a chic beach party, you’re sure to turn heads decked out in fabulous items from Rebecca Lankford, Krystal Sasso, Alexis Bittar, Mirta Tummino and more. Only at the HMNS Museum Store!

HMNS MUSEUM STORE

AU G U S TBEHIND-THE-SCENES TOURS“HMNS Offsite Collections Storage”Monday, August 4, 1:30 p.m. & 6 p.m. (page 18)

HANDS-ON CLASS FOR ADULTS“Nature Photography Workshop”Wednesday, August 6, 2:30 p.m. (page 18)

TAKE 2Sharknado Friday, August 8, 7 p.m. (page 13)

MEMBER’S NIGHT AT THE GEORGE OBSERVATORYFriday, August 8, 8 - 10 p.m. (page 16)

CULTURAL FEAST“A Medieval Culinaria”Tuesday, August 12, 7 p.m. (page 7)

PERSEID METEOR SHOWER BEGINSTuesday, August 12 (page 16)

HANDS-ON CLASS FOR ADULTS“Chain Maille Fashioning”Saturday, August 16, 9 a.m. (page 7)

EXHBITION LAST DAYMagna CartaSunday, August 17 (page 6)

BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOURS Bulgari: 130 Years of Masterpieces (page 9)Tuesday, August 19, 6 p.m.

CATALYSTS YOUNG PROFESSIONAL GROUPMembers EventThursday, August 21, 6 - 8 p.m. (page 2)

TAKE 2JawsFriday, August 22, 7 p.m. (page 13)

EXHBITION LAST DAY - SUGAR LANDBody CarnivalSunday, August 24 (page 17)

DISTINGUISHED LECTURE“Home Front: Texas in WWII”Tuesday, August 26, 6:30 p.m. (page 11)

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HMNS activities are supported in part by funds provided by the City of Houston.

HMNS News (ISSN 1556-7478) is published bimonthly by the Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, Texas 77030. Issues are sent every other month as a benefit to all Museum members. HMNS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to preserve and advance the general knowledge of natural science, to enhance in individuals the knowledge of and delight in natural science and related subjects, and to maintain and promote a museum of the first class.

5555 Hermann Park DriveHouston, Texas 77030

HMNS NEWS IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.HMNS.ORG/MAGAZINE

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDHouston, TexasPermit No. 6371

POSTMASTER:Dated material

enclosed. Please deliver

IMMEDIATELY!

SUMMER 2014 FILMS IN THE HMNS WORTHAM GIANT SCREEN THEATRE

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