JUNE – JULY 2017

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

Continued on next page

Swing into Summer at the MuseumNew exhibits, giant-screen films, and more make for a sensational season!

Inside This Issue

• One-Stop Family Fun

• Planetarium Shines at Night

• Taking STEM to the Street

Need help filling your summer calendar? The Museum is your go-to resource for awe-inspiring attractions for children and adults alike. Intriguing exhibits (including seasonal favorite

POPnology), immersive IMAX® and 4-D films, a new evening series in the Planetarium, thought-provoking live presentations, and more ensure you’ll keep the learning and fun going long after school’s out!

See It Before It Happens

Behind the Scenes: Help us test new exhibits!, a new permanent exhibit next to the

Theater of Electricity, gives you a sneak peek into the Museum’s future. Just as the

name implies, you get a firsthand look at what goes into producing an exhibit—

from the birth of an idea to the finishing touches before it’s ready for prime time.

And you can participate in the process by experimenting with the newest ideas

before they reach their final form. Swing in front of a screen featuring a 3-D space

scene designed to make you feel like you’re moving outside this world in “Starfield

Swing.” Then share your thoughts on the experience to make it even better! Check

back regularly—the space changes frequently as the Museum’s expert exhibit

creators are always working on new projects.

FREEDOM CHAIR

Cov

er P

hoto

s ©

TM

P Im

ages

Continued from cover

Celebrate Local Innovation

The Museum’s Boston and Cambridge locale has always been an important asset

for an institution dedicated to science, with many prominent medical, educational,

and scientific institutions nearby. In fact, the Bloomberg Index determined last

year that Massachusetts was the most innovative state in the nation! The Museum

celebrates these innovations and the people behind them with our newest permanent

exhibit, Wicked Smart: Invented in the Hub, debuting in June in the Blue Wing.

Enjoy a multi-person interactive powered by an image processing language

created by Cambridge-based digital media artist and computer graphics

research scientist Karl Sims. Use your body to interact with a variety

of special effects created via Sims’s language and watch and

listen as the simulation responds to your movements.

Plus, see Harvard’s impressive flying robots

(“RoboBees”) and learn about portable health-

care with the Daktari CD4 System cell

counter from Cambridge-based

Daktari Diagnostics. In

addition, test the latest in

wheelchair technology

with the “Freedom

Chair,” an all-terrain wheelchair created by

GRIT—a social enterprise startup created by a group of

mechanical engineering students from MIT. Other exhibit highlights: 3-D printed

glass sculptures from the MIT Media Lab’s Mediated Matter group and the

“Cheetah II” robot, also from MIT.

Are You a POPnologist? Find Out!

While these exhibits will be part of the Museum landscape for the foreseeable

future, POPnology (on exhibit through September 4) won’t be! Don’t miss this

unique exhibition that highlights the connection between pop culture and technology

and shows how movies, books, television, and other art forms continue to inspire

technological advancements. See the iconic DeLorean from Back to the Future

Part III, enjoy a photo op with the title character from the Alien films, and more!

More to Explore

With your membership, you can enjoy all the offerings already mentioned

plus everything in the Exhibit Halls for free. Take in more than 700 interactive

exhibits (the Hall of Human Life is just one) and attend a live presentation (Live

Animal, for example). And for just $5 each, take a break in the Mugar Omni

Theater and watch one or all of these large-format films on the IMAX® Dome

screen—Journey to Space, Amazon Adventure, or Extreme Weather. Plus, enter

the 4-D Theater for film experiences that capture all of your senses! (Check

mos.org for showtimes.)

As you can see, there’s plenty to keep you intrigued and entertained at the Museum

this summer, with something for all ages and interests. Come visit today!

RoboBee image courtesy of Harvard University.

Traveling out of state this summer? Out of the country? Be sure to bring your Museum of Science membership card with you! It can be used to get free or reduced admission to more than 400 science centers and zoos worldwide. For more details: mos.org/reciprocity

POPNOLOGY EXHIBIT

AMAZON ADVENTURE OMNI FILM

KARL SIMS INTERACTIVE

ROBOBEE

Pho

to ©

TM

P Im

ages

Pho

to ©

Mic

hael

Mal

yszk

o

The Charles Hayden Planetarium has long been a desirable destination

for daytime educational experiences with visitor favorites such as

Magic Tree House: Space Mission, Moons: Worlds of Mystery, and Wonders

of the Night Sky. But more recently the venue has also become the spot

for dazzling after-hours options for adults. It’s truer than ever this

summer with exceptional events happening every single week!

Thursday Thrills

Spanning June through August, something special is on the menu every

Thursday evening. Take a trip down nostalgia lane the first Thursday of each month

for a sci-fi movie night. Test your knowledge against friends and others on the

second Thursday with trivia hosted by The Big Quiz Thing. On the third Thursday,

enjoy live music by Boston favorites Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys,

Hallelujah the Hills, and more, while the fourth Thursday is all about comedy

with ImprovBoston. Whether you attend one or all, you’ll have a great time while

surrounded by the inventive, captivating visuals created by the Planetarium team.

With a fifth Thursday in June and August, the Museum has something especially

enticing—sci-fi movie marathons! The first two Back to the Future films will be

screened on June 29, and you can see films from the Alien franchise August 31.

(Items from both films are featured in our temporary POPnology exhibition.)

SubSpace Is Back!

SubSpace Project, the Museum’s experimental playground for developing

fresh, original, and social experiences for adults, has been impressing

audiences for more than a year with its featured programming that

combines popular music and stunning visuals for an unforgettable

experience in the unique Planetarium environment.

Don’t miss this summer’s lineup of new shows! Enjoy the scintillating

sounds of Coldplay (Wednesday, June 7), Rihanna (Wednesday, July 19),

and Justin Timberlake (Wednesday, August 16). While you may be familiar

with their music, you’ll appreciate it in an imaginative new way!

So when you’re making your summer plans, be sure to circle Thursdays

and select Wednesdays to check out the Charles Hayden Planetarium—and

experience it in a whole new light…at night!

Recommended for ages 18 and up. Separate ticket required. See calendar and visit mos.org/events for more information and to purchase tickets.

Planetarium Gets Its Nighttime Groove Summer evenings are now filled with live music, comedy, trivia, sci-fi movie magic, and more!

Nightlife in the Planetarium Select Wednesdays and every Thursday

Place ________________ Admission _______

Time ________________ Date ____________© Swank Motion Pictures, Inc.

WALTER SICKERT & THE ARMY OF BROKEN TOYS

THE BIG QUIZ THING

SUBSPACE PROJECT

Science at Home Think like an engineer and build your own personal robot!

When you visit the Museum’s newest traveling exhibition,

POPnology, you’ll meet some riveting robots like R2-D2 of

Stars Wars fame. But your robot interaction doesn’t have to

end when you go home. Keep it going with your own homemade

robot—a bristle bot to be precise!

BUILD A BRISTLE BOT

Materials Needed:

• 1 pager motor (1 to 3 volts) with 2 wires (if you don’t have one, you can remove it from any electronic device that buzzes or vibrates or buy one for a few dollars)

• 1 button cell battery (1 to 3 volts)

• 1 toothbrush with angled bristles

• Pliers or wire cutter

• Double-sided tape or foam tape

• Any extras you want for decoration!

This project is adapted from one created by PBS Kids! Photos courtesy of pbskids.org.

1. Cut the toothbrush head

with pliers or the wire

cutter, cutting the handle

close to the bristles.

2. Test the battery and motor

by stripping the end of

the pager motor’s wires

so about half an inch of

metal wire shows. Attach

one wire to the top of the

battery and the other wire

to the bottom. (The motor

should spin with some

intensity.)

3. After a successful test,

fasten the motor firmly to

the top of the toothbrush

head. Use double-sided

tape or foam tape to set in

place (a rubber band can

do the trick too).

4. Tape one of the motor’s

wires to one side of the

battery. Then fasten the

battery firmly to the top of

the toothbrush so the wire

is on the bottom. Connect

the second wire so it stays

in contact with the top of

the battery.

PLACE YOUR BRISTLE BOT ON A SOLID SURFACE AND WATCH IT MOVE!

If you want to give your cyber creation some extra character,

decorate it! Attach eyeball stickers or something even more

creative. And for extra fun, place some items in your bristle

bot’s path and watch it knock them over. That’s one tough

bristle bot!

1

2

3

4

Bringing Science to the Neighborhood The Museum’s Street Team continues to break down barriers.

A day at the Museum of Science offers an unmatched

experience of engaging, interactive learning that introduces

guests to new ideas and concepts every visit. But these

opportunities aren’t restricted to the walls of our iconic

building along the Charles River. A perfect example: the

Museum’s Street Team—an enthusiastic and knowledgeable

group of staff, interns, and volunteers who introduce STEM

(science, technology, engineering, and math) activities to

nearby neighborhood gatherings and cultural events.

Breaking Down Barriers

If there’s a community event planned for the Boston area,

especially a cultural one, the Museum’s Street Team will likely

be there, demonstrating how people can incorporate STEM

into their daily lives. Among the recent events the team has

attended are the Latino Family Festival at Fenway Park, the

Special Olympics at Harvard Stadium, Wake Up the Earth

in Jamaica Plain, and the Brazilian Independence Festival

in Brighton.

Maria Cabrera, the Museum’s community outreach supervi-

sor who heads the Street Team, says their mission is to “break

down barriers” and introduce STEM to people, including new

immigrant communities, who might not be able to access it as

easily as others can due to language, cultural, financial, or other

potential obstacles.

“You don’t have to have a lot of money or a lot of fancy

materials to have fun with STEM. And that’s what the Street

Team is able to show people,” Cabrera says.

The Street Team usually brings one or two activities to each

event. This could include teaching people how to transform

a pizza box into a solar oven, for example, or others focusing

on dinosaurs, wind, animation, and additional subject matter.

Once mastered, these activities can be repeated at home—

continuing the learning (and fun) and connecting new

people with the Museum.

So Many Dates

The Street Team’s schedule began

in March and continues through

November. Learn more about

where you can find the team or

give a heads-up to your friends by

visiting the Museum on Facebook

and Twitter. And come see for

yourself how they break down

barriers and show how STEM

can be part of everybody’s life!

Calendar of EventsJune – July 2017

Cov

er P

hoto

© N

icol

aus

Cza

rnec

ki

discover

Exlusive Member Event

June July

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTSInformation is subject to change. Please confirm all dates and times: 617-723-2500, mos.org.

Summer Thursdays: Starship TroopersEnjoy a science fiction favorite under the Planetarium dome. 7:30 p.m. ! $

SubSpace Project: ColdplayEnjoy stunning visuals combined with an electrifying playlist featuring the music of British band Coldplay. 7:30 p.m. ! $

Summer Thursdays: The Big Quiz ThingTest your knowledge against friends and others at the ultimate game show spectacular! 7:30 p.m. Also July 13. ! $

Book Club for the CuriousJoin a discussion about Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari. Cambridge Innovation Center. 5:30 p.m.

Summer Thursdays: Live MusicListen to live music under the Planetarium dome. 7:30 p.m. Also July 20. ! $

Member OvernightExclusive Member Event—Enjoy after-hours access to the Exhibit Halls and more! Geared for children ages 6 – 13 and their families; 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 a.m. Also, Saturday, June 24. ! $

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. – 4:30 p.m.

Summer Thursdays: ImprovBostonLaugh it up with some of the funniest comedians in the Boston area. 7:30 p.m. Also July 27. ! $

Summer Thursdays: Back to the Future MarathonCome to the Planetarium to relive, or see for the first time, the ultimate time travel trilogy. ! $

Let’s Celebrate July 4th!Exclusive Member Event—Enjoy a family-friendly evening of fun during the annual rooftop party. 5:30 p.m. ! $

Summer Hours BeginThis is the first day to enjoy our extended summer hours. Exhibit Halls are open 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. through Labor Day, September 4. (Open 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Fridays as usual.)

Summer Thursdays: Independence DayEnjoy a science fiction favorite under the Planetarium dome. 7:30 p.m. ! $

Washburn ChallengeClimb Mount Washington or sponsor a climber for the 11th annual ascent to honor Museum founder Brad Washburn and raise money for the Annual Fund. ! $

Book Club for the CuriousJoin a discussion about The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds by Michael Lewis. Cambridge Innovation Center. 5:30 p.m.

SubSpace Project: RihannaEnjoy spectacular visuals combined with the sounds of music superstar Rihanna. 7:30 p.m. ! $

4Tuesday

6Thursday

13Thursday

19Wednesday

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.

1Thursday

8Thursday

15Thursday

16Friday

7Wednesday

17Saturday

22Thursday

29Thursday

5Wednesday

9Sunday

Mugar Omni TheaterFeaturing New England’s only IMAX® Dome screen. For showtimes, tickets, and a complete list of films now playing: 617-723-2500, mos.org. Shows run approximately 50 minutes. Member price: $5.

Sponsored by

FEATURED FILMS

Journey to SpacePatrick Stewart narrates this celebration of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program and the plans for ushering in a new era of unprecedented deep space exploration.

Extreme WeatherStorm chaser and award-winning giant-screen filmmaker Sean Casey takes you to the edge of a 300-foot-tall calving glacier, the front lines of massive wildfires, and into the path of deadly tornadoes.

Amazon Adventure Follow naturalist Henry Bates on his 11-year journey of scientific discovery through the visually stunning and biodiverse Amazon rainforest in the 1850s.

Join the Charles River Cleanup

The Charles River accumulates floating debris during the spring and summer—and the Charles River Cleanup Boat comes to the rescue! The Museum donates funds to support the effort, and Museum staff account for a significant number of the program’s volunteers. Still, this privately funded nonprofit needs your help.

Volunteer for a seven-hour shift as part of the cleanup crew and receive Exhibit Halls passes for your effort!

• Learn more at cleanupboat.org.

Photo courtesy of cleanupboat.org

Adult OfferingsFor more information: 617-723-2500, mos.org/events. Funded in part by the Barbara and Malcolm L. Sherman Fund for Adult Programs and by the David and Marion Ellis Endowment Fund.

WHEN SCIENCE MEETS ART

Shattering the boundaries between art, science, and technology.

SubSpace ProjectWednesdays, June 7, July 19, and August 16; 7:30 p.m. Enter the Museum’s experimental playground for developing fresh, original, and social experiences for adults. Art, science, and technology collide to create a new wave of nightlife that’s intelligent, provocative, and one-of-a-kind. See stunning visuals in the Planetarium combined with the music of today's hottest pop stars. Recommended for ages 18 and up.

• June 7: Coldplay

• July 19: Rihanna

• August 16: Justin Timberlake

• Fee: $10; purchase tickets at mos.org/events.

Summer ThursdaysThursdays, June 1 – August 31; 7:30 p.m.*Experience summer nightlife under the Charles Hayden Planetarium dome with a different exciting program each week! Recommended for ages 18 and up.

• June 1, July 6, and August 3: Sci-fi film favorites

• June 8, July 13, and August 10: The Big Quiz Thing

• June 15, July 20, and August 17: Live music

• June 22, July 27, and August 24: ImprovBoston

• Fifth Thursday (June and August only): Back to the Future marathon (June 29), Alien marathon (August 31) *Movie marathons start at 6:00 p.m.

• Fee: Varies; purchase tickets at mos.org/events.

Summiting for ScienceParticipate in the 11th annual Washburn Challenge, a unique fundraising hike of Mount Washington, on Sunday, July 9. Scale New England’s tallest peak using the map created by founding Museum director and cartographer Bradford Washburn. All money raised supports the Museum’s Annual Fund.

For more information on how to climb, support, or volunteer: 617-589-4475, mos.org/challenge.

AND MORE

Find out even more offerings at mos.org/events.

Book Club for the Curious Thursdays, June 8 and July 13; 5:30 p.m.Feeling inquisitive? Looking for good conversation? Love science and books? 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 8: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari.

• July 13: The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds by Michael Lewis.

• Presented in partnership with the Cambridge Innovation Center.

Charles Hayden Planetarium

For showtimes and tickets: 617-723-2500, mos.org. Shows run approximately 35 – 45 minutes. Member price: $5.

FEATURED SHOWS

Magic Tree House® Space MissionBrother-and-sister duo Jack and Annie embark on a wondrous journey of adventure and learning to answer questions about space.

Undiscovered Worlds: The Search Beyond Our SunThe discovery of exoplanets—the thousands of known planets that orbit stars beyond the Sun—may lead us closer to finding an Earth-like world. Produced by the Museum of Science.

Explore: The UniverseLeave Earth behind and blast off to explore our solar system, the Milky Way, and beyond. Journey through the cosmos with a Planetarium educator as your star pilot.

Music Under the DomeFriday and Saturday eveningsJoin us in the Charles Hayden Planetarium and experience one of our most innovative and immersive offerings, celebrating the music of such icons as Prince, Radiohead, Lady Gaga, and more!

Gilliland ObservatoryFree, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.

Astronomy After HoursFridays; 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.

Reserve a Traveling Program

Bring the Museum to You During the 2017 – 2018 School Year!

Traveling Programs bring a variety of Museum experiences such as portable planetariums, hands-on workshops, and exciting presentations to your school. With programs covering astron-omy, physics, biology, geology, and engineering, you can enhance your curriculum—or simply get your students excited about science!

• To learn more: 617-589-0354, travelingprograms@mos.org.

MAGIC TREE HOUSE®MAGIC TREE HOUSE ®

Pho

to ©

Nic

olau

s C

zarn

ecki

Pho

to ©

TM

P Im

ages

4-D TheaterFor showtimes and tickets: 617-723-2500, mos.org. Shows run approximately 15 minutes. Member price: $5.

Ice Age: No Time for Nuts 4-DJoin Scrat, Ice Age’s resident nut-crazed saber-toothed squirrel, as he time travels in his zaniest adventure to date, Ice Age: No Time for Nuts 4-D.

ICE AGE™ & © 2017 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Thomas & Friends™ 4-D: Bubbling Boilers!Join Thomas & Friends in this thrilling 4-D adventure as they encounter big surprises while racing to an exciting celebration on Sodor.

© 2017 Gullane (Thomas) Limited.

Wild Survivors: Animals in 4-D Filled with jaw-dropping sequences in digital 3-D with added special effects, this film takes a never-before-seen look at the ingenious tactics animals have developed to survive and thrive in a danger-filled world.

© BBC 2017

Exhibit Halls For more information: 617-723-2500, mos.org/exhibits.

POPnology Through Monday, September 4Experience a fusion of science fiction and science fact in this temporary exhibition that celebrates how movies, books, television, and art continue to inspire technogical advancements.

Many Faces of Our Mental HealthThrough various art forms, this temporary exhibition helps raise awareness of, and helps correct, common misconceptions about mental health.

Wicked Smart: Invented in the Hub Greater Boston-based innovations and their creators are the focus of this new permanent exhibit. Features “RoboBees,” the “Freedom Chair,” a chance to interact with special effects, and more!

Behind the Scenes: Help us test new exhibits!This new permanent exhibit offers a sneak peek into how exhibits get made. Help us create exhibits by trying out new exhibit ideas before they are in their final form.

Butterfly GardenExplore a living exhibit filled with sunlight, plants, and free-flying butterflies. Timed tickets required. Member price: $5.

Thrill Ride 360°Take a ride on a roller coaster you design in this full-motion experience! Timed tickets required. Member price: $5.

FEATURED PRESENTATION

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

Afternoon ReportDaily; 2:30 p.m.Join our on-stage anchor in the Gordon Current Science & Technology Center for a rapid-fire news report touching on the latest science headlines.

Generously supported by Cabot Corporation.

FLA

GS

HIP

: PLE

AS

E TR

IM O

FF 1/16” TO

GA

TEFO

LD IN

MEMBER TIPS Follow these and use your member benefits to get the most out of every visit! Questions? Call 1-800-589-0180 or visit mos.org/membership-faq.

USING YOUR ELECTRONIC PASSES

Electronic passes are now linked to your active membership account! You can redeem them for timed tickets.

In Person: Visit the box office to get tickets for Omni and Planetarium shows or to bring additional guests into the Exhibit Halls.

Phone: Call 617-723-2500 to apply passes to your order. The email you receive is your ticket.

Online: Do all your ticketing through our website. Just log in to your account, select your shows, and apply your bonus passes to the items in your cart:

YOUR EMAIL IS YOUR TICKET!

If you purchased tickets online or over the phone, the QR code on your email confirmation may be used as a ticket. No need to wait in line at the box office—just go straight to your venue!

SAVE TIME—GO ONLINE

Sign up today at mos.org/my-account to:

• apply bonus passes and discounts through our website. Your tickets will be emailed to you. No need to wait in line at the box office—just go straight to your venue!

• register for members-only events

• update your payment information

PLAN AHEAD FOR YOUR VISIT

Bring your current membership card for immediate Exhibit Halls entry.

Reserve tickets in advance: 617-723-2500, mos.org.

Take public transportation! For parking tips: mos.org/parking.

Arrive at least one hour before scheduled shows.

Avoid peak times by arriving before 10:30 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m.

member

Exlusive Member Event

Cov

er P

hoto

© N

icol

aus

Cza

rnec

ki

The Museum’s exhibitions and educational programs receive important support from individual members and donors like you. Additional support provided by:

The Massachusetts Cultural Council Media Partner

Museum of Science 617-723-2500 mos.org

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

EventsFor more information: 617-723-2500, mos.org/events.

EurekaFest™ 2017 Saturday, June 17; 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

High school students from across the country compete in this 11th annual design challenge. Watch the design trials, fill up your “passport” of activities, and win special EurekaFest magnets in a family-friendly day 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 on citywide activities June 16 and 17: 617-253-3352, eurekafest.org.

• EurekaFest is a partnership of the Lemelson-MIT program and the Museum of Science.

Exclusive Member EventsFor more information, 617-589-0180, mos.org/members.

Member OvernightFriday, June 16 or Saturday, June 24; 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 a.m. Ever wonder what happens after hours at the Museum? Grab your sleeping bag and toothbrush, and find out! Enjoy the Exhibit Halls, special Live Animal presentations, complimentary Omni and Planetarium viewings, and more.

• Fee: $50 per person. Advance registration required. Space is limited; first come, first served.

• Children must be accompanied by chaperones age 21 or older.

• To purchase tickets: 617-723-2500 or mos.org/members.

Let’s Celebrate July 4th!Celebrate with family entertainment, science activities, and the Boston Pops Concert live via radio, capped by fireworks over the Charles River.

• Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. on the Museum's garage roof.

• Tickets can be purchased at mos.org, the Museum box office, or 617-723-2500. Availability is limited to the number of Exhibit Halls admissions permitted with your membership level.

Tall Ships Cruises Saturday, June 17 – Wednesday, June 21The Tall Ships return to Boston! Join the Museum and the Charles Riverboat Company on exclusive members-only cruises to view these maritime marvels. Cruises depart from the Lechmere Canal and pass through the Charles River locks to Boston Harbor for a narrated voyage.

• Fee: $39.90 for adults; $36.75 for seniors. $30.45 for children (under 12). Not recommended for children under age 3. Price includes 5% MA convention surcharge.

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

• For more information on specific dates and to purchase tickets: 617-723-2500, mos.org/member-events.

3

2

4 Museum Educator’s Book Published The Countdown Conspiracy, a novel for children

and young teens written by Museum educator

Katie Slivensky, will be released August 1.

Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books,

Countdown is a high-stakes adventure story

about a girl selected for a mission to Mars who

becomes a target for harm. The mission and lives

are at stake, and she may be the only one who

can save them! This is Slivensky’s debut novel.

1 From Fenway Park to Science Park During an early April pregame ceremony

at Fenway Park, the Museum and the Red

Sox announced a first-of-its-kind, multi-

year partnership (representatives from the

Museum shown here). We have teamed

up to bring baseball and STEM (science,

technology, engineering, and math) together

through family-friendly programs, activities,

and events throughout the year. The Museum

has contributed to the development of STEM

content for Wally & Tessie’s STEM Workbook,

available during home games at Fenway’s

Kid Nation booth and at Wally’s Clubhouse

beginning in June.

2 Future of Food Charrette Chefs, academics, writers, and others from

the food world joined Museum staff at a

day-long event in March to share ideas on

the future of food. Among the topics tackled

in panel discussions: what meals might look

like in 2037; how farming could change in

the future; and the challenges of making

the food system equitable, healthful, and

sustainable. The charrette was developed

as part of the Museum’s food initiative,

bolstered recently through the generosity

of Bloomberg Philanthrophies.

3 Pushing the Boundaries The Museum strives to push the boundaries

to help prepare the next generation of

critical thinkers. Natick-based MathWorks,

a long-time Premier Partner, shares this

same passion. On April 13, we presented to

MathWorks the 2017 Stars of STEM award,

with CEO and cofounder Jack Little accepting

(shown here with Ioannis Miaoulis, Museum

president and director). The festivities

continued into the night with the second

annual Sparks After Dark After Party hosted

by The Innovators. Stars of STEM is the

Museum’s annual signature celebration

and raises needed funds for the institution’s

educational programs.

Museum News

4

Pho

to ©

Stu

dio

Nou

veau

Pho

to ©

Bos

ton

Red

Sox

Pho

to

BINGE. CALL IT

“RESEARCH.” The POPnology exhibition (here through September 4) includes artifacts from several famous films. You don’t need to have seen any to enjoy the exhibit, but consider this helpful viewing prep (all rated PG):

• Back to the Future Trilogy

• Close Encounters of the Third Kind

• Dick Tracy

• The Rocketeer

• Original Star Wars Trilogy

1

General Information

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING• PLAN AHEAD A state project on the Longfellow Bridge is rerouting traffic in front of the

Museum. Please allow extra travel time or consider taking public transportation. For updates: mos.org/traveltips.

• Address 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114• Detailed Directions mos.org/directions • Parking Museum garage parking is available first come, first served. Members receive a discount.

BOSTON DUCK TOURSTickets sold on the front plaza. DUCKs depart from the driveway near the T. rex. Tours run daily, April – November. For reservations: 617-267-3825, bostonducktours.com.

GROUP VISITSBringing your group to the Museum of Science? For special pricing and more information: groupsales@mos.org.

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 or accommodation requests: 617-589-3102, accessibility@mos.org, mos.org/accessibility. Please request ASL interpreters at least two weeks in advance.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESWilliam 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 share world-class exhibits, programs, and K – 12 curricula on a global scale.

Field Trips

For information about Museum field trips and other opportunities for educators, such as the Teacher Partner Program: 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 2017

MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

Director: Carl Zukroff

Editors: Christopher DelConte, Jonathan Friedman

Art Director: Fanny Lau Dines

Designers: Nicole Guzzo, Lianne Stoddard

CONTRIBUTORS

Anna Brophy, Gabriel Mosse, William Walsh

Sparks is published bimonthly. Circulation: 55,000

© 2017 Museum of Science, Boston All rights reserved.

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE MUSEUM COMMUNITY!

For updates, special offers, and fun science:

Member E-News at membership@mos.org@

Photo © Nicolaus Czarnecki

EXHIBIT HALLS HOURS

• Saturday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Open until 7:00 p.m. July 5 – Labor Day)

• Friday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

• Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day Closed

Subject to change and extended during Massachusetts school vacations. For updates: mos.org/hours.

TICKETS AND MEMBERSHIP

Advance reservations recommended. For current prices and to purchase tickets: mos.org.

For membership information: 617-589-0180, membership@mos.org, mos.org/members.

QUESTIONS? Call Science Central at 617-723-2500.

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

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Salem, NH

Permit #151

JUNE – JULY 2017

Let’s Celebrate July 4th!

Enjoy science activities, family entertainment, and more in this festive members-only event. See calendar for details.

One-Stop Family Fun See cover story