JUNE  – JULY 2015

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

Movie theater audiences became witnesses to a filmmaking revolution in late 1995 when Pixar Animation

Studios released Toy Story. The movie was the first of its kind—a feature-length computer-animated production, and critics as well as the general public were enthralled to see something so fresh and groundbreaking on the big screen.

Nearly 20 years and 14 highly successful films later, Pixar

continues to impress and delight. While people throughout

the world enjoy these films, the science and technology

behind them remains a mystery for many. This will change

in late June when the Museum hosts the world premiere of

The Science Behind Pixar, our newest temporary exhibition.

“The interactive exhibition gives people the opportunity to

learn about the jobs our filmmakers do every day and tackle

similar problems,” says Ed Catmull, president of Pixar and

Disney Animation Studios. “It’s a great demonstration of how

much creativity and imagination is involved in the science,

technology, engineering, art, and math thinking essential to

our filmmaking process.”

What It Takes to be a 3-D Animator!

The Science Behind Pixar takes you through the production

pipeline as you see how your favorite characters like Buzz

Lightyear and WALL•E as well as the worlds they live in are

Continued on next page

Adventures in Animation Go behind the scenes of your favorite Pixar films in this interactive exhibition!

Inside This Issue 

• Making Movie Magic

• Let’s Celebrate July 4th!

• Big Fun on the Big Screen

Continued from cover

End of the LineAll of Pixar’s 15 feature films are included in The Science Behind

Pixar, including the newest one, Inside Out, which hits theaters June

19. Directed by Academy Award winner Pete Docter (Up, Monsters,

Inc.), Inside Out brings you into the mind of 11-year-old Riley as she

struggles with the changes in her life after being uprooted from the

Midwest to San Francisco. The film’s all-star cast includes Boston-

area natives Amy Poehler and Mindy Kaling.

The exhibition’s interactive Inside Out component focuses on the

last step in the Pixar filmmaking process—rendering,

when all the information is combined

to produce the image

that will appear on

the screen. You can

render an iconic scene

from Inside Out as you

transform a pixelated

image into a stunning,

high-fidelity one. Pre-

pare to be wowed!

created. With more than 40 interactive elements, the

exhibition’s eight sections focus on steps of the filmmaking

process—Modeling, Rigging, Surfaces, Sets & Cameras,

Animation, Simulation, Lighting, and Rendering.

As you make your way through the exhibition, you’ll learn

about riggers, which give your favorite characters the virtual

bones, joints, muscles, and pivots that allow them to move and

pose realistically. Not to be outdone, the simulation program-

mers create the motion of hair, clothing, and even waterfalls.

Plenty of hands-on activities are included, such as a

stop-motion animation station that allows you to plan the

movements of a jumping lamp like the one in Pixar’s iconic

logo and then watch a short film showing what you produced.

You can create your own robot worthy of standing next to

WALL•E at another station. And don’t miss your chance to

design a set with props from a scene in Monsters University.

Photos with the Stars

The exhibition features numerous photo opportunities,

including the chance to pose with full-size figures of

The Science Behind Pixar   Opens June 28 | Member Preview June 27

famous characters from Pixar films, including Buzz Lightyear,

WALL•E, Mike and Sulley from Monsters University, Dory

from Finding Nemo, and Edna Mode from The Incredibles.

Learning from the Experts

Informative, enlightening videos enhance your experience.

A fun video at the entrance sets the stage—learn about the

Pixar process of turning an idea into a film and also how art,

technology, and creativity are inseparable in animation. And

hear firsthand from members of Pixar’s production teams.

Perhaps one of them will inspire you to enter the field!

“The Science Behind Pixar explores the creativity and artistry

of the Pixar filmmakers, highlighting how computers are

used as a filmmaking tool,” says Ioannis Miaoulis, Museum

president and director. “The exhibition puts you into the role

of each aspect of the Pixar filmmaking process, and we hope

visitors will increase their knowledge and understanding of

the core STEM content behind computer animation.”

So get ready for a thrilling, interactive, and informative

experience with The Science Behind Pixar!

This exhibition was developed by the Museum of Science, Boston in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios.

Local Sponsor  

“ The interactive exhibition gives people the opportunity to learn about the jobs our filmmakers do every day and tackle similar problems.”

— Ed Catmull, president of Pixar and Disney Animation Studios

There’s no better place to be on our nation’s birthday than at

the Museum of Science for the annual Let’s Celebrate July

4th! event, which features a rooftop party with live music,

family-friendly activities, and an unmatched view of the

fireworks above the Charles River.

Supporting Museum Programs

The Museum’s Volunteer Service League hosts this evening

event, which raises money for its grants program. Museum

staff can apply for the grants, which pay for costs and materi-

als for new programs or the enhancement of current activities.

KIBO robots for the new Tech Studio, a pediatric wheelchair

and foreign language guides for the Information Desk, a dolly

rig for the Planetarium’s 360-degree video camera, and a 3-D

printer are just some of the items purchased with grant money

from the program. Since 2000, this successful event has put

nearly $600,000 back into the Museum, making the institu-

tion a better place for all who visit.

Fireworks, Music, and More

Festivities start at 5:30 p.m. on the Museum’s garage roof.

In addition to live entertainment, various activities will be

available, including fun-with-science tabletop programs,

Celebrate July 4th with the Ultimate Rooftop Party!This members-only event features a perfect view of the fireworks above the Charles River.

Event Details

• The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m.

• Tickets are $28 for adults, $17 for children (3 – 11), and children under 3 are free. You must be a current Museum member to purchase tickets.

• Tickets can be purchased at mos.org, in person at the Museum box office, or by calling 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY).

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

• All tickets are sold first come, first served.

face painting, and balloon artists in action. Bring your own

food for a rooftop picnic or purchase drinks and snacks at

the party. Full meals must be pre-purchased by Wednesday,

June 3. You can watch the Boston

Pops concert on an enormous

inflatable screen, weather

permitting. And when the

fireworks start launching

over the Charles, you’ll

enjoy an amazing view.

So don’t miss out on

one of the biggest parties

of the year—get your tickets

now for Let’s Celebrate July

4th! at mos.org, in person

at the Museum box office,

or by calling 617-723-2500,

617-589-0417 (TTY).

Visit mos.org/july4 for full details.

Celebrate the Aviation Revolution

People have been dreaming about traveling through the

sky since the dawn of civilization, and only in the recent

past has fantasy become reality—most prominently with

airplanes. They have radically changed the world—cutting

travel time once measured in days, weeks, and months to

just hours. This revolution is explored in the new National

Geographic film Airplanes: A World in Flight.

Soar above 18 countries and seven continents—yes, even

Antarctica—in a journey guided by actor and pilot Harrison

Ford along with an original score from Academy Award-

winning composer and pilot James Horner (Avatar, Titanic).

“Practically overnight, our

perception of

crossing continents and oceans at 500 mph has turned

from fascination to frustration,” says Brian J. Terwilliger,

the film’s director and producer. “I want to reignite people’s

wonder for one of the most extraordinary aspects of the

modern world.”

Indiana Jones and the Dinosaurs

While the man who played Indiana Jones in the film series

narrates Airplanes: A World in Flight, the person who is

said to be the inspiration for the character—naturalist and

explorer Roy Chapman Andrews—is featured in Dinosaurs

Alive!

Narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Michael Douglas,

the film takes you back to the 1920s with footage of Andrews

and his team from the American Museum of Natural

History making landmark discoveries of dinosaur bones

in the challenging conditions of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert.

Fast forward to the 21st century with paleontologists Mike

Novacek and Mark Norell leading a group making exciting

discoveries in the same area and in New Mexico.

Watch as digitally animated dinosaurs fight for

survival—often against each other—in a difficult

Now Showing in the Mugar Omni Theater

T he Museum of Science wants you to think big this summer when visiting the Mugar Omni Theater—

really, really big. Three films now showing on the 180-degree IMAX® Dome screen feature some of the

largest creatures and objects ever to appear in the air, on land, and in the sea—airplanes, dinosaurs,

and humpback whales!

Enjoy “Giant” Films on the Giant ScreenAirplanes, dinosaurs, and whales take over the Mugar Omni Theater!

Free with member passes!

environment.

“What better way to learn about dinosaurs than to experience them

on the only movie screens that can truly show their size?” asks

David Clark, the film’s writer and co-director.

Drama in the Ocean

Humpback Whales, a new film directed by two-time Academy

Award nominee Greg MacGillivray, takes you on a journey to

Alaska, Hawaii, and the Kingdom of Tonga with an animal that

has been on a delicate path to recovery since its near-extinction

50 years ago.

Enjoy an intimate look at the large and intelligent humpback

whales as they communicate, sing, feed, play, and care for their

young. The drama reaches a thrilling climax in a scene featuring

humans rescuing a whale entangled in abandoned fishing gear.

Experience all the big drama and super-sized action this summer

with these three exciting films in the

Mugar Omni Theater!

Airplanes: A World in Flight is presented by National Geographic. Dinosaurs Alive! with major funding provided by the National Science Foundation. Humpback Whales is a MacGillivray Freeman film presented by Pacific Life.

Sponsored by

Chills and Thrills The “large” theme on the screen extends to the

Museum’s 4-D Theater. Get ready for an adven-

ture of mammoth proportions—Ice Age: Dawn

of the Dinosaurs – The 4-D Experience! Our

favorite sub-zero heroes, Manny, Ellie, and Diego,

venture into a mysterious underground world

after Sid the Sloth stumbles across three aban-

doned eggs and decides to care for them as his

own. Once the eggs hatch, the adventure begins

in the lost world of the dinosaurs!

Featured in eye-popping 3-D with an all-star voice

cast, including Ray Romano, John Leguizamo,

Denis Leary, and Queen Latifah, Ice Age: Dawn

of the Dinosaurs – The 4-D Experience

delivers more thrills, more

chills, and more mammoth-

sized laughs for everyone!

Members receive a discount!

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs™ & © 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

Calendar of EventsJune – July 2015

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engage

June July Explore Pluto OpensPlanetarium Show—Gain new insight into Pluto as Planetarium educators share news from the New Horizons mission, which passes the dwarf planet in July. ! $

Book Club for the CuriousJoin a discussion about What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe. Cambridge Innovation Center. 5:30 p.m.

Member Overnight Exclusive Member Event—Enjoy after-hours access to Exhibit Halls and more! Geared for children ages 6 – 13 and their families; 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 a.m. Also, Saturday, June 27. ! $

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.

Member Preview: The Science Behind PixarExclusive Member Event—Museum mem-bers get early access to the fun, interactive exhibition that lets you explore the science and technology behind some of the most beloved animated films and their characters. Exhibit opens to the public June 28. M ! $

The Photography of Modernist Cuisine ClosesLast chance to see how scientist, author, and photographer Nathan Myhrvold reveals the colorful and surprising world of food through hyper-magnified and cutaway views.

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

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

Summer Courses BeginSummer courses begin this week for aspiring scientists and technologists. For more information: mos.org/courses. ! $

Book Club for the CuriousJoin a discussion about Animal Madness: How Anxious Dogs, Compulsive Parrots, and Elephants in Recovery Help Us Understand Ourselves by Laurel Braitman. Cambridge Innovation Center. 5:30 p.m.

Butterfly and Caterpillar WeekendMeet an amazing array of native New England caterpillars and learn more about butterflies and caterpillars through live presentations and interpretations. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Also, Sunday, July 12.

Washburn ChallengeClimb Mount Washington or sponsor a climber for this annual ascent to honor Museum founder Brad Washburn. ! $

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.

6Monday

4Saturday

9Thursday

11 Thursday

27Saturday

28Sunday

20Saturday

19Friday

11Saturday

12Sunday

5 Friday

engage

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 volun-teers. Still, this privately funded nonprofit needs more help.

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

• Learn more at cleanupboat.org.

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

Sponsored by

FEATURED FILMS

Airplanes: A World in Flight Take flight across every continent, and see how aviation is truly one of the most extraordinary and awe-inspiring aspects of the modern world!

Humpback WhalesJoin these giants of the sea on a whale-sized adventure as they sing, communicate, play, and care for their young.

New! Dinosaurs Alive!Watch as Cretaceous creatures leap to life on the IMAX® Dome screen, and witness paleontology’s evolution, from the discovery of fossilized dinosaur

eggs in the Gobi Desert to more recent finds

in the American Southwest.

World Premiere Exhibition

Enjoy a unique, first-time look into the Pixar process, and explore the science and technology behind some of the most beloved animated films and their charac-ters. This exhibition gives you an unparalleled view of the production pipeline and concepts used at Pixar every day. Participate in hands-on activities, listen to firsthand accounts from members of the studios’ production teams, and even come face-to-face with re-creations of your favorite Pixar film characters!

OPENS JUNE 28Member Preview June 27

Purchase tickets at mos.org/pixar

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

New! The Science Behind PixarOpens Sunday, June 28This interactive exhibition showcases the science, technology, engineering, and math concepts used by the artists and computer scientists who help bring Pixar’s award-winning films to the big screen.

Last Chance! The Photography of Modernist CuisineThrough Sunday, June 28Accomplished scientist, author, and photographer Nathan Myhrvold reveals the colorful and surprising world of food through hyper-magnified and cutaway views.

Returning! MathematicaCreated by the famous design team of Charles and Ray Eames, this recently refurbished timeline of mathematic achievements has been a Museum favorite since it opened here in 1981.

Butterfly GardenExplore a living exhibit filled with sunlight, plants, and free-flying butterflies. Timed tickets required. Members receive a discount.

Thrill Ride 360°Take a ride on a roller coaster you design or fly an airplane over Boston in a new full-motion experience! Timed tickets required. Members receive a discount.

FEATURED PRESENTATION

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

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. Segments may include breaking news, in-depth stories, video clips, special guests, and reports from the field.

This exhibition was developed by the Museum of Science, Boston in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios.

Special Member Price: $5

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

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

4-D TheaterFor showtimes and tickets: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org. Members receive a discount. Shows run approximately 15 minutes.

New! Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs The 4-D ExperienceGet ready for an adventure of mammoth proportions – Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs – The 4-D Experience! Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs™ & © 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

Dora & Diego’s 4-D AdventureJoin your adventurous amigos on Nickelodeon’s high-speed, eye-popping chase from the warm rainforest to the icy Arctic.© 2015 Viacom International Inc. All rights reserved. Nickelodeon and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

Planet Earth: Shallow Seas 4-D ExperienceHear the power of the ocean’s waves as they crash along the shoreline, and feel the salty spray as you surf the coast with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.A BBC/Discovery Channel/NHK co-production, in association with the CBC.

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 Observa-tory 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 2015 – 2016 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.

Charles Hayden Planetarium

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

FEATURED SHOWS

New! Explore PlutoOpens Friday, June 5Fly to Pluto with Planetarium educators and learn the latest scientific developments, including updates from the New Horizons mission passing the dwarf planet in July.

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

Inside NASA: From Dream to Discovery Experience the extreme nature of spacecraft engineer-ing and the life cycle of a space mission—from concept to completion! Produced by the Museum of Science.

Wonders of the Night SkyDiscover the beauty and wonder of the night sky as a live presenter takes you on an adventure through the stars, constellations, and planets.

Laser ShowsFriday and Saturday eveningsEnjoy sensational light displays set to popular music! Our new lineup features pop icon Lady Gaga, unique electronic duo Daft Punk, and legendary rock band Pink Floyd.

Photo © Nicolaus Czarnecki

Last Chance to Help Us

KEEP CLIFFTriceratops Cliff came to the Museum in 2008 as an exhibit on loan for seven years. We now have the opportunity to give Cliff a permanent home here. Please join others in the community and help us raise $850,000 by June 30 to keep Cliff in Boston.

To donate, visit mos.org/keepcliff, text CLIFF to 41444, visit the Museum Store, or mail donations to: Advancement Division, Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114-1099.

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

EurekaFest™ 2015Saturday, June 20; 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.High school students from across the country will compete in this ninth 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 19 and 20): 617-253-3352, eurekafest.org.

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

Butterfly and Caterpillar WeekendSaturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12; 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Come meet an amazing array of native New England caterpillars in various stages of development on their host plants. Learn more about butterflies and caterpillars through live presentations and interpretations in the Blue Wing, Lower Level, and other locations throughout the Museum.

• Free with Exhibit Halls admission. Saturdays in SpaceJoin Museum educators every Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in the Gordon Current Science & Technology Center for an out-of-this-world interactive activity.

• Free with Exhibit Halls admission.

Summiting for Science

Challenge yourself and support the Museum by participating in the ninth annual Washburn Chal-lenge! This unique fundraising hike of Mount Washington takes places Sunday, July 12. Scale New England’s tallest peak via the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail or test yourself with a triathlon of hiking, engineering, and running. All funds raised support the Museum's Annual Fund.

For more information on how to climb, donate, or volunteer:

617-589-4475, team.mos.org/washburnchallenge.

$442,967 raised

as of April 14, 2015

Member Tips

Use these tips for a smoother, more enjoyable visit:

Remember, Exhibit Halls hours are extended during summer vacation:

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

Fridays: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (as usual)

• Bring your current membership card for immediate Exhibit Halls entry as well as discounts in the Museum garage, store, and café.

• Reserve tickets in advance. We’ll waive the handling fees. Call 617-723-2500 or visit mos.org just a few days before your arrival.

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

• Avoid peak times by arriving before 10:30 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. Museum parking is first come, first served. Payment is by credit or debit card only.

• Arrive at least one hour before scheduled shows to allow time for parking. Late entries to timed shows are not permitted.

• Visit the member specialists at the Membership Booth, open daily from 10:00 a.m. (weekends at 9:00 a.m.) until 4:00 p.m. Renew or upgrade your membership, purchase show tick-ets, or find information on upcoming member-exclusive events.

Stay Informed!

Sign up for our monthly Member E-News to receive member event reminders, late-breaking Museum news, and exclusive online offers. Sign up at mos.org/members.

Exclusive Member EventsFor more information: 617-589-0180, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org/members.

Member OvernightFriday, June 19 or Saturday, June 276:00 p.m. – 11:00 a.m.Ever wonder what happens after hours at the Museum? Grab your sleeping bag and toothbrush, and find out during our Member Overnight! Enjoy the Exhibit Halls, special live animal presentations, complimentary viewings in the Mugar Omni Theater and Planetarium, and more.

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

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

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

Member Preview: The Science Behind PixarSaturday, June 27; 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.The Science Behind Pixar exhibition premieres at the Museum in June, and members get to see it first! Learn about the filmmaking process through hands-on activi-ties inspired by some of Pixar’s most treasured films, from Toy Story to Pixar’s newest film Inside Out. As a member, you’ll enjoy deeply discounted admission!

• Member tickets are $5. Admission is by timed ticket only; advance reservations are highly recommended.

• Admission at the member rate is limited to the number of Exhibit Halls admissions permitted with your membership level. Be sure to bring your active membership card with you.

• For more information: 617-589-0180.

Let’s Celebrate July 4th!Celebrate the Fourth of July with family entertainment, science activities, and the Boston Pops Concert live via radio, capped by fireworks over the Charles River. The annual members-only event takes place on the Museum’s garage roof, one of the city’s best vantage points.

• Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m.

• Tickets can be purchased at mos.org, the Museum box office, or 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY).

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

• All tickets are sold first come, first served.

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

The Massachusetts Cultural Council

Media Partner

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

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

engage

Adult Offerings

For more information: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org/events. Funded in part by the Barbara and Malcolm L. Sherman Fund for Adult Programs and by the David and Marion Ellis Endowment Fund.

Book Club for the CuriousThursdays, June 11 and July 9; 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 11: What If? Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe.

• July 9: Animal Madness: How Anxious Dogs, Compulsive Parrots, and Elephants in Recovery Help Us Understand Ourselves by Laurel Braitman.

• Presented in partnership with the Cambridge Innovation Center.

Primates and Predators Safari in Tanzania & Mahale Mountains in 2016

Study Leader Just Announced!

Alfred Alcorn, writer and former director of travel for the Harvard Museum of Natural History, will be your host and study leader on this extraordinary journey. Experience Tanzania’s national treasures, including Ngorongoro’s breathtaking caldera, archaeologically significant Oldupai Gorge, and the wildebeest calving season in the awe-inspiring Serengeti. Complete your wildlife experience with a truly unique extension traveling by dhow, a traditional sailing vessel, on Lake Tanganyika to a remote shore, home of the world’s largest popula-tion of free-roaming chimpanzees.

• Space and limited permits for chimp trekking require

advance booking.

• Dates: January 23 – 31, 2016 for the safari; February

1 – 4, 2016 for the Mahale extension.

• For more information or to reserve a spot, contact

Holli Adams (617-589-0324, hadams@mos.org)

or Andrew Doherty (800-235-0289,

andrew@thomsonsafaris.com).

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3 Engineering Education Expands

Engineering Everywhere—an engaging,

research-based program for middle school-

aged young people in out-of-school time

environments—has released new units that

can be downloaded for free. Subjects include

engineering bioplastics, preventing the spread

of disease outbreaks, and engineering time-

keeping devices. The ability to download the

units for free makes them easily accessible

to programs with budgetary constraints.

Find the units and other products from the

National Center for Technological Literacy®’s

Engineering is Elementary® (EiE)® team

at eie.org.

4 Stars of STEM Shine

Community members enjoyed a fun evening at

the Museum in April as they toasted Microsoft,

the 2015 Star of STEM (science, technology,

engineering, and math) during the sixth

annual Science Behind the Stars. Dan’l Lewin,

corporate vice president for technology and

civic engagement (pictured), accepted the

award for the company, which was recognized

for its foundational role in the personal

computing revolution and its commitment to

empowering people through technology. As

the Museum’s signature event, The Science

Behind the Stars raises needed funds for the

institution’s educational programs.

1 Grant Funds Lobby Renovation A grant of up to $2.5 million from Woburn-

based Cummings Foundation will help the

Museum of Science with its lobby and front

entrance renovation project. The project’s

goal is to revive the look, feel, and function of

the grand lobby space. The Museum received

the most funding of the eight Massachusetts

nonprofits awarded grants from the

foundation as part of its new $10 Million

Major Grants Program. Established in 1986

by Joyce and Bill Cummings, the Cummings

Foundation has been a Museum corporate

member for more than 25 years.

2 The Beat Goes On

As a student in the 1990s, Zachary Goldberg-

er created a temporary Museum of Science

exhibit component,“The Music of the Heart,”

which asked visitors to produce and listen

to a brief melody based on their heartbeats.

Twenty years later as a cardiologist, Goldberg-

er continues to explore the connection be-

tween music and the heart. He has co-written

an attention-grabbing article, “The Heartfelt

Music of Ludwig van Beethoven,” appearing

in the journal Perspectives in Biology and Medi-

cine. It states that some of Beethoven’s music

may strengthen the hypothesis he suffered

from cardiac arrhythmias.

Museum News

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Did You Know? Museum founding director Bradford Washburn

created a map of Mount Washington still used

today! To honor his legacy and raise critical

unrestricted funds for the Museum, a team of

climbers will participate in the ninth annual

Washburn Challenge on July 12. See calendar.

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.

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 RESOURCESField 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 2015

MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

Director: Carl Zukroff

Editors: Christopher DelConte, Jonathan Friedman

Art Director: Lori Sartre

Designers: Fanny Dines, Nicole Guzzo, Lianne Stoddard

CONTRIBUTORS

Anna Brophy, AJ Gosselin, Gabriel Mosse, Bill Walsh

Sparks is published bimonthly. Circulation: 55,000.

© 2015 Museum of Science, Boston. All rights reserved.

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE MUSEUM COMMUNITY!

For updates, special offers, and fun science:

Member E-News at mos.org/members@

IMAGINE. INNOVATE. INSPIRE. Support The Campaign for the Museum of Science. For more information: 617-589-0181, mos.org/campaign.

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, 617-589-0417 (TTY).

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

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Salem, NH

Permit #151

JUNE – JULY 2015

Summer Film Fest

See inside

This exhibition was developed by the Museum of Science, Boston in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios.

Local Sponsor

Exhibit Opens June 28 | Member Preview June 27

Discounted tickets for members: mos.org/pixar