HMNS News Sept/Oct 2014

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news SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 VOLUME 19, NUMBER 5 w w w. h m n s . o r g

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO GO BACK TO THE MUSEUM...

NOW OPEN

HMNS IN THIS ISSUE • EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE LUNCHEON • MUSEUM STORE w w w. h m n s . o r g / i n t e r a c t

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EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE AWARDS LUNCHEON

2 Excellence in Science Awards Luncheon HMNS Museum Store 3 Anniversaries General Information 4 -5 Shark!

6-7 Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife 8 Bulgari: 130 Years of Masterpieces 9 Fabergé: From a Snowflake to an Iceberg 10 - 11 HMNS @ Sugar Land 12 - 13 Wortham Giant Screen Theatre 14 Burke Baker Planetarium 15 George Observatory 16 - 17 Adult Education 18 - 19 For Teachers Outreach Programs 20 Cockrell Butterfly Center 21 Just For Kids 22 - 23 Events Calendar World Trekkers Mixers and Elixirs GET CONNECTED TO HMNS WWW.HMNS.ORG FACEBOOK

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Cover Photo: ©Chris Fallows/apexpredators.com

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 This year’s Excellence in Science Luncheon will be on October 21 at The Junior League of Houston.

We are honored to have as our speaker Bonnie J. Dunbar, a retired astronaut, accomplished engineer and science educator.

A veteran of five space flights, a former President and CEO of the Museum of Flight in Seattle, and a member of the National Academy of Engineering, she shares the Museum’s mission to engage and support programs for K-12 education.

Bonnie is currently the Director of the University of Houston’s STEM Center, which she helped to found in 2013. The Center’s goal is to inspire, attract and retain more students in science and engineering careers.

STEM education is an interdisciplinary approach to learning in which rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world lessons. Students apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in contexts that

make connections between school, community, work, and the global enterprise, thus promoting STEM literacy and with it the ability to compete in the new economy. Bonnie is passionate about education and recognizes its importance to the future of our society and economy.

Proceeds from the luncheon support the many ways the Museum provides science education. For more information please contact Sveta Darnell, sdarnell@hmns.org or (713) 639-4729.

HMNS MUSEUM STORE Know a baby genius, or nerdy parents?

We’ve got everything you need to deck out cute kiddos in the latest geek chic with infant lines at the Museum Store!

Whether you’re looking for onesies for whiz kids, or custom shirts and socks for cool tots, we’ve got your geek gear covered.

HMNS IS CELEBRATING SIX ANNIVERSARIES IN 2014!

25TH ANNIVERSARY

105TH ANNIVERSARY

George Observatory Opened October 1989

Houston Museum of Natural Science Opened November 1909

50TH ANNIVERSARY Burke Baker Planetarium Opened July 1964

Cockrell Butterfly Center Opened June 1989 Wortham Giant Screen Theatre (Formerly IMAX®) Opened August 1989

5TH ANNIVERSARY HMNS at Sugar Land Opened October 2009

GENERAL INFORMATION SUGAR LAND

MAIN CAMPUS

HOURS OF OPERATION

Monday through Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Labor Day Weekend August 30 - September 1: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Check www.hmns.org for film schedules and special closures. Permanent Exhibit Halls FREE after 2 p.m. on Thursdays.

ADVANCE PURCHASES

(713) 639-4629 Monday - Sunday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Online at www.store.hmns.org Handling fee for phone orders only.

MEMBER TICKETS

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

PARKING

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

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

SPECIAL SERVICES Call (713) 639-4629.

Wheelchairs provided at no cost, subject to availability.

FIELD TRIPS

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

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

(713) 639-4646, www.hmns.org/birthdays Party Smarty at Main Campus and Sugar Land; (281) 242-3055 Expedition Center Birthday Mission at the George Observatory.

BUILDING RENTAL SPECIAL EVENTS

(713) 639-4749, www.rentthemuseum.org

(281) 313-2277 www.hmns.org/sugarland 13016 University Boulevard Sugar Land, Texas 77479

HOURS OF OPERATION

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 booking Labor Day, September 1: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

GEORGE OBSERVATORY (281) 242-3055 www.hmns.org/observatory Located in Brazos Bend State Park.

Park entrance fee: $7 per person; free for ages 12 & under. Private groups can schedule tours, Expedition Center missions and astronomy classes, call (281) 242-3055.

Directions available at www.hmns.org.

www.hmns.org/visit

(713) 639-4629 www.hmns.org 5555 Hermann Park Drive Houston, Texas 77030

H M N S A N N I V E R S A R I E S • G E N E R A L I N F O R M AT I O N

These numerous milestones are only made possible through the support of our members and donors.

Thank you for making the Houston Museum of Natural Science better and better, year after year. To help us celebrate, make a point to visit each of these venues this year.

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HMNS SHARK!

Just when you thought it was safe to go to the Museum…this exhibition features LIVE sharks!

Today, sharks are one of the most misunderstood and imperiled animal groups in the world. On one hand they are greatly feared because of misinformation in movies and some documentaries, yet on the other hand they are vastly overfished for selected products: their fins used in shark-fin soup while their powdered cartilage (their skeleton) is used for medicinal purposes. In this HANDS-ON exhibit we hope to educate visitors about the important role of sharks in the world’s oceans, with special reference to sharks in the Gulf of Mexico.

Climb inside a shark cage—an important “tool” of the trade for shark researchers, both in the past and currently. Learn about shark research that has developed from projects aimed solely to protect humans who might find themselves in open water where sharks live. Highly sophisticated shark-tagging and satellite tracking programs for migratory, threatened, and endangered species are also highlighted.

Today, researchers have advanced from using simple static fish tags to be retrieved from a dead or caught shark to acoustic or satellite tags that can provide continuous information

about the location and environment of the shark. OCEARCH and the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi are leading the research on shark conservation and promoting awareness on a global level. OCEARCH’s Global Shark Tracker, which is displayed in this exhibit, allows you to track any of the sharks they have tagged in recent years anywhere in the world. Dive into HMNS to meet these amazing prehistoric predators up-close and personal.

Opening August 29, this exhibit was organized by the Houston Museum of Natural Science with the Texas State Aquarium and assistance from OCEARCH and the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

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Compare jaws from different shark species—including megalodon and the great white. Fossil remains of megalodon suggest that this giant shark may have reached a maximum length of 45-60 feet, and that it looked like a stockier and larger version of today’s great white shark, which reach 6-15 feet in the Gulf of Mexico and 2025 feet maximum worldwide. White sharks are warm-blooded fish, which is rare and unusual, but an important

part of their biology as a apex predator.

Today they are rare and vulnerable as a species and are listed as endangered by many countries.

HMNS SHARK!

You can pet sharks in the seawater “touch tank”—filled with whitespotted bamboo sharks from reefs in the tropical Indo-west Pacific, epaulette carpet sharks that live on coral reefs in shallow water and tide pools in the southwest Pacific, and horn sharks that live in rocky habitats off southern California and both sides of the Baja peninsula.

HMNS FARISH HALL OF TEXAS WILDLIFE www.hmns.org/exhibits

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THE ALL NEW FARISH HALL OF TEXAS WILDLIFE Opens to Members Only on October 24 Open to the Public on October 26 With over 350 specimens representing over 250 species, the new Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife showcases the remarkably diverse biomes of our beloved Lone Star State—Piney Woods, Oak Motte, Coastal Prairie and Wetland, South Texas Dry Forest, Guadalupe Mountains, and High Plains.

Emphasis is placed on rare, endangered and extinct species. Over 50 species, or approximately 20% of those on display, are classified under some level of threat.

One of the most important services a museum provides to its patrons is serving as a monument of history. For this reason, the dioramas emphasize what our state’s wildlife looked like prior to extensive human colonization.

Species such as white-tailed deer, pronghorn, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, alligators, and various egrets and herons were all but extinct at one point in our state, but today are present in stable numbers. Ocelots, jaguarundi, whooping cranes, and red-cockaded woodpeckers are still teetering on the brink of extinction in Texas even though populations are more stable today than they used to be.

Elk, bison, desert bighorn sheep, aplomado falcons and Attwater’s prairie chickens were actually completely extinct in our state at one point, but have been replenished. Although zoobred black-footed ferrets have not yet been reintroduced to our state, it has happened elsewhere and could occur in the future in Texas.

Black bears, although formerly widespread, remain locally extinct throughout much of the state. Sadly, jaguars are totally absent from Texas, unlikely to return. The passenger pigeon, ivory-billed woodpecker and Carolina parakeet are globally extinct— gone forever.

HMNS is fortunate to have all of these amazing Texas animals in our collection so the natural history of our state is preserved. Visitors will also learn of invasive species that threaten native species and their habitats.

All photos by Sharon Ruhly

BIODIVERSITY LECTURE SERIES Sponsored by the Favrot Fund, co-sponsored by Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies Tickets $18, Members $12

HMNS has featured Texas wildlife dioramas since the early days when the Museum was located at the zoo.

Instead of scrapping the old Farish Hall dioramas with the hand-painted murals in the background, several of these vintage treasures have been moved and can now be viewed in the Education wing in the lower level of the Dan L Duncan Wing.

“Natural History and Aesthetics: Why Should We Care About Nature?”

Harry W. Greene, Ph.D., Cornell Monday, September 22, 6:30 p.m.

The diversity of life on Earth is under serious threats from multiple human-related causes, and science plays well-known roles in addressing management aspects of this problem.

Dr. Harry W. Greene will describe how natural history also plays a vital role in enhancing our appreciation for organisms and environments, thereby influencing value judgments that ultimately underlie all conservation.

Friday, October 24, 6 - 10 p.m.

Saturday, October 25, 6 - 10 p.m.

Free for members

“Monarchs: Is the Migration Moribund?”

Nancy Greig, Ph.D., Cockrell Butterfly Center Monday, September 29, 6:30 p.m.

Members are the first to see the newly renovated Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife, one of the Museum’s permanent exhibition halls. Children’s crafts, activities, cash bar and light refreshments. Tickets to this members-

The monarch butterfly is best known for its annual round trip journey to and from overwintering sanctuaries in central Mexico. Yet today this marathon migration is under great threat.

Dr. Nancy Greig will discuss what, if

MEMBERS ONLY EVENT

“Gulf of Mexico Biodiversity and Oil Spill Resilience” Wes Tunnell, Ph.D., Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies Monday, October 13, 6:30 p.m.

The Gulf of Mexico appears quite resilient in the face of many environmental insults, such as overfishing, habitat loss and destruction, degraded water quality, extensive coastal development, and climate change.

Dr. Wes Tunnell, HMNS adjunct curator of malacology, will explain what a tipping point of too many problems might eventually cause.

“Bats: The Night Shift” Cullen Geiselman, Ph.D., Bat Conservation International Monday, October 27, 6:30 p.m.

Bats have radiated into almost every habitat on Earth, bringing with them their important ecological responsibilities. Their great diversity of feeding strategies is a testament to the adaptability of these nocturnal animals and reveals the important roles they play within ecosystems.

Bat researcher Dr. Cullen Geiselman will discuss the great variety of bats, including the 38 species in Texas, of which eight call Houston home.

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The new Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife is curated by Dr. Daniel Brooks, HMNS curator of vertebrate zoology, whose two primary research initiatives are dealing with invasive species and waterfowl community structure.

anything, can we do. Her talk will be followed by a screening of the 3D film Flight of the Butterflies.

HMNS FARISH HALL OF TEXAS WILDLIFE

only event require a reservation. Please call (713) 639-4629 to reserve your tickets. Reserve early—both events will sell out!

HMNS BULGARI: 130 YEARS OF MASTERPIECES www.hmns.org/bulgari

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130 YE ARS OF MASTERPIECES E X HI B I T I O N L A S T DAY OC TOB E R 5 Boasting distinctive shapes, fabulous stones, brilliant colors, and unparalleled craftsmanship, Bulgaria’s extraordinary designs have long attracted legions of indomitable, beautiful women.

This exhibition includes 150 sizable pieces of jewelry from Bulgari’s 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.

“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 cuttingedge technology into the future—when so many others are content to merely rest on their laurels,” says Joel A. Bartsch, HMNS president.

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 Masterpieces Tuesday, September 16, 6 p.m.

Tickets $37, Members $24

With the addition of over 150 new pieces, this new exhibition shoecases 500 jeweled treasures from the worldrenowned McFerrin Collection. The exhibition presents a historical overview of the works of the House of Fabergé, as well as the remarkable Russian history relating to the objects on display.

Dozens of personal treasures of the Romanov Family including Imperial pieces owned by Nicholas II, Alexander III and their family are featured.

Inspired by the ancient Scythian treasures unearthed during archaeological digs in Kerch on the north coast of the Black Sea, Peter Carl Fabergé (1846-1920) first won acclaim

for his historical pieces during the PanRussian Industrial exhibition of 1882.

New to the collection is a lion’s head charm created by one of Fabergé’s first workmasters Erik Kollin.

HMNS FABERGÉ: FROM A SNOWFLAKE TO AN ICEBERG

Opens September 19

Fabergé went on to create original, exquisite objects of luxury for the elite, as well as impeccably designed everyday objects. You can see hundreds of these items— predominantly made for and use by the royalty—in the McFerrin Collection.

From elegantly simple to breathtakingly ornate, the jewelry, clocks, picture frames, snuff boxes, cigarette cases, desk accessories, flower studies and carved hardstone animals in this collection were thoughtfully selected to exemplify extraordinary materials and workmanship. New to the exhibition is a hand-held fan belonging to Queen Victoria.

Fabergé: From a Snowflake to an Iceberg is organized by the Houston Museum of Natural Science with the McFerrin Collection. This special exhibition is free for HMNS members.

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www.hmns.org/faberge

Today, the House of Fabergé is best known for crafting Easter eggs in the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

Visitors to the exhibition will be happy to see these stunning pieces are still on exhibition, some complete with their “surprise”—including the stunning Imperial Diamond Trellis Egg, Kelch Egg and Nobel Ice Egg.

At its height, the House of Fabergé employed more than 500 craftsmen and designers in their Moscow and St. Petersburg workshops and sales branches in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev, Odessa and London.

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From state-of-the-art technology and the wonders of outer space to ancient dinosaurs and live animals—your child will delight in the natural sciences at HMNS at Sugar Land. If you enjoy the exhibitions at HMNS, a visit to the museum in Sugar Land is a must! These fabulous permanent exhibitions are free to all HMNS members.

The ten-foot illuminated Science-on-aSphere transforms to represent different planets and complex environmental processes on Earth. Stroll down Dinosaur Alley with eight full-size dinosaurs, including triceratops, ankylosaurus, and stegosaurus. Several more dinosaurs await discovery by budding paleontologists in the Dig Pit! Marvel at some of the most spectacular images yet produced by the Hubble Telescope – and get up close to meteorites that have crashed to Earth. Then, take a ride into outer space in the Digital Dome planetarium which features shows from the Burke Baker Planetarium.

In the Discovery Works exhibition, science is easy, exciting and lots of fun for everyone. Every action has a fun reaction as kids investigate science in motion. Each exhibit is made for touching, pushing, turning, twisting, spinning or shaking.

Hop through the colorful collection of living frogs, coast around the 2,000 gallon salt-water aquarium filled with tropical wonders, and wander through the Fossil Forest.

Experience an unparalleled array of geological wonders. Massive amethyst and citrine geodes taller than a person, jammed with gleaming purple and golden crystals, are displayed among an array of huge mineral specimens, intricately crystallized slices of petrified wood, and an incredible collection of fossils.

Explore the cave illuminated by the rainbow-colored glow from fluorescent minerals in every size and color.

U GAR L AND

Saturday, September 20, 9 a.m. - noon Free with regular admission

TRICKS, TREATS & T-REX Bring the whole family to celebrate Halloween at HMNS Sugar Land and discover the scary side of science!

Our annual Halloween spooktacular has expanded to two days. Costumes encouraged both days.

Haunted House Event Friday, October 24, 7 - 9 p.m.

Get thrills and chills in our scary Haunted House. It’ll be bigger and better than ever!

CORPORATE EVENTS AT THE MUSEUM

Limited December Dates Available!

Impress your clients or wow your employees with a one-of-a-kind event!

Full of stunning beauty and rich in history, the Sugar Land location provides a unique venue for corporate meetings, executive group retreats, team building and evening receptions.

Let our event specialists lead the group curriculum or customize an evening gathering that your guests will never forget. Several prime December weekend dates are still available for your cocktail reception, seated holiday dinner or client appreciation event.

This is also a great location for family celebrations, weddings and receptions. For more details, visit www.hmns/sugarland and then click Rent the Museum, or email abarker@hmns.org.

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Wash, rinse, repeat! You have a role to play in the scientific process, searching for fossils from the Museum’s Permian excavation site. Get messy, washing and sorting approximately 1,000 pounds of dirt. Have loads of fun learning how to identify fossil pieces and screening sediments. Have your own fossils identified by scientists, see how paleontologists prepare fossils, and discover the ancient creatures that roamed Texas.

Children’s Costume Parade and Pumpkin Maze Saturday, October 25, 10 a.m. - noon

Join the costume parade and meander through the magical Butterfly Garden Maze, where you can wrap a mummy, snap a photo or try your hand at pumpkin ring toss—new tricks and treats await around each corner!

H M N S H M N S AT S U G A R L A N D

FOSSIL WASH DAY

Films and showtimes may change. Please visit www.hmns.org

WORTHAM GIANT S H M N S W O R T H A M G I A N T S C R E E N T H E AT R E

COMING SOON! Walking with Dinosaurs: Prehistoric Planet 3D

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From BBC Earth and its popular Walking with Dinosaurs franchise.

Walking with Dinosaurs: Prehistoric Planet 3D is an exciting and immersive 3D adventure that transports audiences back to Cretaceous Alaska. The main characters in the story are a herd of large, frilled, plant-eating dinosaurs— Pachyrhinosaurus.

The film follows their youngsters, and from the moment they hatch, as they face predators, weather extremes and natural disaster, and fight for survival through the seasons. This is an epic yet intimate story. Audiences of all ages will sympathize with the dinosaurs and their struggles, just as they do with animals in contemporary wildlife documentaries.

This film offers the most authentic dinosaur experience ever to be seen on the Giant Screen. The animals’ bodies and movements have been precisely built up from fossil evidence, and their behavior is derived from paleontology and detailed knowledge of modern animal behavior, giving these creatures an amazing realism.

Descriptions available at www.hmns.org. Proceeds from the sale of all Wortham Giant Screen film tic

g for current schedule and more information about each film.

SCREEN THEATRE H M N S W O R T H A M G I A N T S C R E E N T H E AT R E

The largest Allied operation of World War II began in Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. 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, this film pays tribute to those who gave their lives for our freedom. Local support of this film is provided by IBERIABANK. Free Tickets for Active Military and Veterans to D-Day 3D: Normandy 1944.

Available for pickup at HMNS Box Office or all Gallery Furniture locations.

Don’t miss the special exhibition Battleship Texas: The Last of the Dreadnought Battleships.

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SING-A-LONG SEPTEMBER Come dressed for the part!

Frozen (2013) - September 5 Pandas are lovable, iconic, and, unfortunately, highly endangered.

These black-and-white gentle giants’ fascinating habits and unique personalities will leave you with a huge appreciation—and a smile—for the animals and the individuals working to protect them. Witness the desperate plight of pandas in the wild and their incredible story of survival.

In the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, there is a paradise unlike any other: the Galápagos archipelago. Among 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.

Grease (1978) (Sing-A-Long version) - September 26 SCARY OCTOBER! Psycho (1960) - October 10 The Exorcist (1973) - October 24 All tickets are available for purchase in advance online or at the box office.

ckets help further the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s nonprofit mission. Your support counts!

www.hmns.org/giantscreen

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THE ROBOTS GO EXPLORING! New for the fall is Robot Explorers, a journey through the solar system by spacecraft that have become robotic extensions of ourselves.

Near the end of the twentieth century, we began launching unmanned probes into the far reaches of the solar system.

What they discovered was amazing and in some cases unexpected. Many of these spacefarers are still beaming their images and information back to Earth.

OBSERVATORY UPDATE Every planetarium show in the fall will feature an update on the George Observatory, complete with new images made through the upgraded Research Telescope mirror system as they become available each night. For the best view of the universe short of West Texas, visit the HMNS George Observatory.

Learn more on page 15.

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These space robots have gone farther and can survive more extreme conditions than humans could. Their eyes are now ours and their journeys become our virtual adventures. Each year our robot explorers continue to go where no human can and make our solar system very exciting and very real.

Robot Explorers is narrated by Brent Spiner, Houstonian who played Commander Data, the ultimate robot explorer, in the Star Trek: The Next Generation series.

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The George Observatory has served over half a million visitors, including families, school groups, Scouts and even international space schools. It also benefits from over 150 dedicated volunteers, many of whom are involved in active scientific research—one team has discovered almost 500 asteroids over the years.

Thanks to the successful Save Our Scope campaign, the repairs to the Gueymard telescope will be complete in time for the 25th Anniversary Celebration. HMNS members are the first to gaze through the scope before it opens to the public on October 11.

George Observatory 25th Anniversary Friday, October 10, 7 - 10 p.m.

Free for members Celebrate the George Observatory’s 25th anniversary and peer through the refurbished research telescope to see spectacular views of Saturn along with a variety of deep space objects. Cash bar and light refreshments. Tickets to this members-only event require a reservation. Please call (713) 639-4629 to reserve your tickets. Reserve early— this event will sell out.

SKY EVENT Partial Solar Eclipse Thursday, October 23, noon - 6 p.m.

Special Event tickets $5 per person Observe the partial solar eclipse at the George Observatory through special solar scopes. Astronomers will be on hand to give updates on the Sun as it goes through the different phases of eclipse. You can also see a show in the Discovery Dome portable planetarium this afternoon. If it is cloudy or raining the event will be cancelled.

SATURDAYS AT THE GEORGE!

Telescope Tickets $5, Members $4.50 Discovery 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: $7 per person, free for kids 12 and under). Directions are posted at www.hmns.org/observatory. Current observatory weather conditions can be accessed at www.weatherbug.com, zip code 77461.

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The Observatory telescopes—36, 18 and 14 inches in size—allow both amateur and professional astronomers to conduct research while visitors gain first-hand knowledge of the beautiful and aweinspiring sights of the night sky.

MEMBERS ONLY EVENT

H M N S G E O R G E O B S E R VAT O R Y

Born out of the overwhelming interest in astronomy resulting from the 1986 return of Halley’s Comet, the George Observatory opened in 1989, delivering on the promise of spectacular views of stars, planets and galaxies, all within just an hour’s drive of the Greater Houston area.

A D U LT E D LECTURES Sponsored by the Farrot Fund Tickets $18, Members $12

ASTRONOMY AND PHYSICS

potentially explaining the origin of all matter. Particle Fever is a celebration of discovery, revealing the very human stories behind the tale of this epic experiment. Join Dr. Paul Padley, one of the Rice University professors who worked on the Higgs boson discovery on the Hadron Collider, for this onenight-only event.

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ANTHROPOLOGY AND ARCHEOLOGY

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“Houston’s Prehistoric Energy Corridor” Jason Barrett, Ph.D., TxDOT Archaeologist Wednesday, October 1, 6:30 p.m.

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

Dr. Katherine Freese, one of the foremost pioneers in dark matter research, will share the inside story of the quest to solve the enigma of modern science: “What is the universe made of?” and explain why this mystery could be solved soon. Following the lecture, Dr. Freese will sign copies of her new book The Cosmic Cocktail.

“Particle Fever” Film Screening Thursday, October 9, 6 p.m.

10,000 scientists from over 100 countries join forces in pursuit of a single goal: to recreate conditions that existed just moments after the Big Bang and find the Higgs boson,

During the planning stages for the Grand Parkway in 1996, a prehistoric site was uncovered. The site, later named Dimond Knoll, yielded the greatest density of prehistoric stone artifacts among any site recorded previously in the region. As director of the archeological investigation completed this year, Dr. Jason Barrett will shed new light on the prehistoric heritage of the Houston area prior to the arrival of Europeans. This lecture is sponsored by the Houston Archeology Society.

“Bones Never Lie” Kathy Reichs, Ph.D., Anthropologist & Author Thursday, October 2, 6:30 p.m. *Tickets $35 if purchased by September 22, $40 starting September 23 As a practicing forensic anthropologist, Dr. Kathy Reichs brings her own work experience to her mesmerizing forensic thrillers. Reichs will discuss the highlights of her multiple careers—as a forensic anthropologist, television producer, and author. *Your ticket includes a hardback copy of Bones Never Lie, which will be released September 23. Book signing after the program.

“The World Converges in Constantinople: Contact in a Byzantine Port” Ufuk Kocabas, Ph.D., Istanbul University Thursday, October 16, 6:30 p.m.

Excavations of a 4th century port reveal a vibrant hub of commercial activity that brought the world to the Byzantine Empire. This was the glory of Constantinople! Not only did ships bring spectacular wealth to the Byzantine Empire, they also brought ideas. Marine archaeologist Dr. Ufuk Kocabas will explain what has been uncovered at the ancient Harbor of Theodosius.

Co-sponsored by AIA – Houston with support from the Turkish Consulate General, Houston.

“Ethics without God? The Evolution of Morality and Empathy in the Primates” Frans de Waal, Ph.D., Emory University Tuesday, October 21, 6:30 p.m. co-sponsored by The Leakey Foundation.

By studying social behavior in animals, anthropologist Dr. Frans de Waal demonstrates that animals and humans are preprogrammed to reach out.

Understanding empathy’s survival value in evolution can help to build a more just society based on a more accurate view of human nature.

Religion may add to a moral society, but as an addition and a way to enforce good behavior rather than as the source of good behavior. Book signing of The Bonobo and the Atheist following the lecture.

“Camp Logan, a WWI Emergency Training Center in Houston” Louis Aulbach and Linda Gorski, Archaeologists Tuesday, November 4, 6:30 p.m.

Camp Logan, a military training base built in 1917, housed 44,000 soldiers

To register, visit www.hmns

D U C AT I O N in what is now Houston’s Memorial Park. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the beginning of WWI, Louis Aulbach and Linda Gorski will present the archaeological work at the site and pay tribute to the soldiers who trained at Camp Logan—including Medal of Honor recipients and African American soldiers awarded the French Croix de Guerre. This lecture is sponsored by the Houston Archeology Society.

CULTURAL FEAST

Industry experts will present an industry overview including upstream and downstream operations, energy economics, and energy alternatives.

Breakfast, lunch and a tour of the Wiess Energy Hall are included.

Itineraries and registration information at www.hmns.org/travel.

We are putting our popular Cultural Feast program on the road with Brennan’s executive chef Danny Trace, mixologist Richard Middleton, and culinary historian Merrianne Timko.

All meals and transportation are included. Register now while space is available.

Shelling the Islands of Sanibel, Captiva and Coya Costa April 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 US. You will also experience diverse marine and wildlife of this threatened ecosystem.

Travel Night - Sanibel Tuesday, November 18, 6 p.m.

Free Admission for interested travelers

s.org or call (713) 639-4629.

In 1810, King Ludwig I of Bavaria proclaimed that the last sixteen days of September, ending with the first full weekend in October, should be set aside for feasting and beer drinking.

To commemorate this tradition, 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.

WIESS ENERGY PROGRAMS Team Building Enhance workplace communication and decision-making skills in this unique team building activity that incorporates the fundamentals of geology, geography and politics of the oil and gas industry.

This 3-4 hour activity can be scheduled to fit your group size and time preference. Catering options are available. $100 per participant. For more information and to schedule, contact Daniel Burch at dburch@hmns.org or (713) 639-4737.

This online course offers an extended look into the world of oil and gas, including hydrocarbon formation, geology, drilling, refining, products, transportation, distribution, and energy alternatives. The program is ideal for people new to the industry and those seeking a comprehensive

HANDS-ON CLASSES FOR ADULTS “Creating Stone Age Tools” Wednesday, December 4, 6 p.m.

Tickets $80, Members $65 Learn how to make an arrowhead by pressure alone, and craft a simple stone knife using traditional hand tools.

Paleolithic archaeologist Dr. Gus Costa will teach the prehistoric skills needed to master the ancient art of stone tool making.

“Magic 101” Saturday, October 25, 9 - 11 a.m.

“Magic 201” Sunday, October 26, 1 - 3 p.m.

Tickets $68, Members $60 Learn how to create extraordinary illusions using ordinary objects to dazzle your friends and family from from instructor Richard Hatch. From now on you will always be armed with a trick up your sleeve. All students are expected to adhere to the magicians’ code of secrecy regarding the techniques taught.

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www.hmns.org/adults

A NOLA Road Trip Like No Other!

October 17 - 19, 2014

“Oktoberfest: The History & Science of Beer” Tuesday, September 23, 7 p.m.

Tickets $59, Members $49 Hosted at St. Arnold Brewing Company

Energy 101 Online Training www.energy101training.com

H M N S A D U LT E D U C AT I O N

Photo: ClickNikki Photography & Design

TRAVEL

“An Overview of the Energy Industry” Thursday, September 25, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. $200 per person

FOR TEACHERS SHELL EDUCATORS’ PREVIEW Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife Tuesday, October 28, 4 - 7 p.m.

Learn more about the new installation of the Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife on pages 6-7. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP starting September 29 at www.hmns.org/educatorpreview.

HMNS FOR TEACHERS

EDUCATOR’S GUIDE

www.hmns.org/education

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The 2014 - 2015 Educator’s Guide can be digitally downloaded at www.hmns. org/educatorguide. You can also email educationquestions@hmns.org to sign up for our e-blasts and mailing list.

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. $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.

WEEKDAY LABS Coming to HMNS for a field trip?

Try one of our Weekday Science Labs.

These self-contained investigations feature Museum specimens, artifacts and laboratory equipment.

Each lab is one hour and includes admission to the Museum’s permanent exhibit halls. Available at HMNS in Hermann Park and HMNS at Sugar Land. Capacity is 25 students per lab.

Cost per lab is $165 - $200.

SEPTEMBER LAB TOPICS: ConocoPhillips Techno Science Lab, Grades 1-8 “Optical Illusions” - Investigate ambiguous pictures, impossible shapes, strobe effects and other amazing illusions.

Dissection Lab, 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, 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.

OCTOBER LAB TOPICS: Earth Science Lab, Grades 1-8 “Rock Cycle” - Take a spin through the rock cycle and investigate how rocks are changed and formed.

Time Lab, Grades 1-8 “Age of Exploration” - Let’s circumnavigate the globe together as we discover the intrepid explorers who took to the seas.

Wildlife Lab, Grades 1-8 “Swamp Thing(s)” - Dig up the truth on the animals in the muck as we encounter wetland wildlife.

NOVEMBER LAB TOPICS: ConocoPhillips Techno Science Lab, Grades 1-8 “Balancing Act” - From levers and mobiles to leaning towers, explore the center of mass and find out why it matters.

Dissection Lab, Grades 5-10 “Raining Ranids” - A classic example of vertebrate anatomy, the frog still has a few surprises in store. Find out what’s weird about these bug-eating machines.

Includes frog dissection.

Time Lab, Grades 1-8 “Civil War Science” - Explore what made this conflict—argued by some to be the first “modern” war—different from those before.

EXXONMOBIL TEACHER TUESDAY WORKSHOPS Participants receive 3 hours of CPE credit. Dinner is provided $25 per educator “Battleship Texas” Tuesday, September 30, 5 p.m.

Discover the riveting history of the Battleship Texas, the first battleship memorial museum in the United States, and tour artifacts with the exhibit curator. (Grades 4-10) “Geology 101” Tuesday, October 21, 5 p.m.

Learn the basics of classifying rock specimens and delve into the amazing processes which transform them.

Explore the differences between rocks and minerals, as you learn why they are so fascinating and how they are an essential part of our lives! (Grades 1-8) “Electricity” Tuesday, October 28, 5 p.m.

Discover current, voltage and resistance as you build circuits and discover properties of electricity. (Grades 4-8) “Test For The Best” Tuesday, November 4, 5 p.m.

Show your students how to test and evaluate which products are strongest, fizziest, “funnest”' or the best value—

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND FOR ALL EDUCATORS PROGRAMS, VISIT WWW.HMNS.ORG/TEACHERS OR CONTACT EDUCATIONQUESTIONS@HMNS.ORG

and spot tricks advertisers use to get you to buy their products. (Grades 4-8)

EDUCATOR LATE NIGHTS “Build It Big” Friday, November 14, 5 - 11 p.m. $60 per educator

BP AMERICA EXPEDITION CENTER As our next generation of space flight simulator, the Expedition Center is advancing the Museum’s 25 years of interactive, STEM-focused adventures in space with newly updated software

and more engaging teamwork challenges. The Expedition Center uses the excitement of exploration as a foundation to teach interdisciplinary tasks, foster team problem solving skills, and promote STEM careers.

Our expeditions also emphasize skills that make good students and valuable future employees: responsibility, teamwork, decisionmaking and communication.

Programs are also available for adults in corporate team-building exercises.

Go to www.hmns.org/space for complete information.

OUTREACH PROGRAMS THE MUSEUM - IN YOUR CHILD’S CLASSROOM!

HMNS programs are aligned to gradelevel TEKS objectives, and come with free curriculum including vocabulary and pre- and post-show extension activities. From kindergarten to high school, our programs are adaptable to fit the needs of students of all ages!

Pricing ranges from $100 - $625, depending on program format and length of time needed. Presentations last 30 - 45 minutes, and multiple presentations may be scheduled in a day. Extended, weekend and evening scheduling is also available.

Planning a Science or Family Night at your child’s school? Ask about our Activity Station package!

Customize a themed event at your school by choosing multiple outreach

presentations, make-it activities and investigation stations.

Choose from these programs: LyondellBasell Bugs On Wheels TOTAL Wildlife On Wheels Chevron Earth Science On Wheels ConocoPhillips Science On Stage Discovery Dome Docents To Go For more information and scheduling: www.hmns.org/outreach, outreach@ hmns.org, (713) 639-4758

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Our exciting, hands-on presentations offer the chance to get up-close and personal with Museum artifacts and live specimens. From witnessing chemistry “magic” to getting up close with a live giant katydid, our programs teach students science in a whole new way.

HMNS FOR TEACHERS

Discover how architects and engineers make structures stronger as you experiment with tension, compression and more to solve the problems of building sky-high in this exclusive Late Night experience designed for

educators. From levers to leaning towers, explore the center of mass and find out why it matters. You will experience hands-on activities to use in your classroom, enjoy a catered dinner, and receive six hours of CPE credit.

(Grades 1-6)

HOUSTON BULB AND PLANT MART

H M N S C O C K R E L L B U T T E R F LY C E N T E R

Thursday, October 2, 4:30 - 7 p.m. (early bird special, tickets $20) Friday, October 3, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday, October 4, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

www.hmns.org/butterflycenter

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A wide selection of plants suited for Houston’s climate, including bulbs, perennials, trees, shrubs, and vines—as well as fruit trees and plants to attract butterflies.

DELICATE BALANCE: METAMORPHOSIS OF THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY Theresa Dimenno is a local nature photographer whose work is often featured in Texas Highways and Texas Monthly. For the past few years, she has had a love affair with monarchs and has documented their life cycle in spectacular photographs. Don’t miss this special showing of Delicate Balance: Metamorphosis of the Monarch Butterfly. It will run from September 8 through December 1 in the “Artists’ Corner” in the lower level of the Cockrell Butterfly Center.

The Garden Club of Houston uses proceeds from this sale to support several local endeavors, including the Butterfly Center. Be sure to look for us there; we have a booth to promote butterfly gardening.

Located at St. John the Divine Church, 2450 River Oaks Blvd.

FALL IS TIME TO TEND TO YOUR BUTTERFLY GARDEN Fall’s cooler temperatures inspire gardeners to revive their gardens, which are often flagging after Houston’s torrid summer…and there are plenty of opportunities to shop for plants in the fall! Two of the best sources for butterfly gardeners are the Garden Club of Houston’s Bulb and Plant Mart, and the Cockrell Butterfly Center’s Fall Plant Sale.

FALL PLANT SALE

Saturday, October 11, 9 a.m. - noon 7th floor of Museum Parking Garage A great selection of butterfly nectar plants and caterpillar host plants, plus a few assorted tropicals. Many friendly and knowledgeable staff and docents will be on hand to answer your questions and help you pick the best butterfly attractors! Parking is free if you spend $30 or more. Come early— the best plants are snapped up quickly!

Museum of London at 10 a.m. Then do hands-on activities with AIA – Houston, sponsored by Apache.

EARN SCOUT BADGES YEAR-ROUND AT HMNS! Saturday, November 8, 9 - 11:30 a.m.

Tickets $40, Members $30

ANCIENT ENCOUNTERS - ROME Saturday, September 20, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Free with Museum admission

Begin the morning with a Family Talk on daily life in ancient Rome by archaeologist Sadie Watkins of the

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.

MORAN ECOTEENS The Moran Ecoteens are a special group of high school students whose love of science and history has brought them to HMNS as summer volunteers. The group spends time learning about all the amazing exhibits on display throughout our halls and sharing this knowledge with our Xplorations campers and with patrons throughout the Museum.

and perform entertaining chemistry and physics demonstrations for the summer camp classes. Outside of the classroom, the Ecoteens interact with Museum patrons by explaining touch cart items and offering hall information. Their enthusiasm toward science and learning is evident in their smiles while they share their knowledge.

During Xplorations summer camp, the Moran Ecoteens are exposed to a variety of mentoring opportunities.

They may spend one week building robots and the next week handling insects. They give exhibit hall tours

The application period for the 2015 Moran Ecoteen Program opens December 1, 2014. Those interested in learning more can contact Marce Stayer, Moran Ecoteen director, at mstayer@hmns.org.

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Treat your little fossil hunters to breakfast and a lecture with worldfamous paleontologist Dr. Robert T. Bakker. After breakfast on the Morian Overlook with a stunning view of the dinosaurs below, Dr. Bakker will give an entertaining presentation in the Moran Lecture Hall. Reserve your spot now! Children under 1 year admitted free. Adults must accompany children.

For tickets, please call (713) 639-4629.

Boy Scout, Webelo, Bear, Wolf, Tiger, Girl Scout, Junior, Brownie and Daisy classes will be offered throughout the fall and spring on Saturdays. Look for the complete class schedule at hmns.org/scouts.

HMNS JUST FOR KIDS

BREAKFAST WITH DR. BAKKER

HMNS MIXERS & ELIXIRS • EVENTS CALENDAR www.hmns.org/museumcalendar

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Houston, we’ve detected signs of intelligent life… at Mixers and Elixirs! Complete with live music and drinks, the smart set has their eyes set on HMNS. Talk Like a Pirate Friday, September 19, 7 - 10 p.m.

Swashbucklers unite! Shake yer pirate booty on the dance floor to the spicy beat of Mango Punch, and enjoy a glass of grog with ye hearties at Talk Like a Pirate.

Spirits and Skeletons Friday, October 31, 8 p.m. - midnight Rattle your bones to the terrifyingly 80s tunes of Molly and the Ringwalds, during the best Halloween party in town.

Thousands of costumed guests attend this annual bash at Houston’s dinosaur graveyard and mummy’s tomb.

Advance ticket purchase is recommended.

Cash bar and food truck fare. 21 and up only.

SEPTEMBER

DISTINGUISHED LECTURE “Cosmic Cocktail: Three Parts Dark Matter” Wednesday, September 3, 6:30 p.m. (page 16)

DISTINGUISHED LECTURE “Exploration to Exploitation The Road from Plant Discovery” Thursday, September 4, 6:30 p.m.

WORLD TREKKERS Mexico Friday, September 12, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (page 23) BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR Bulgari: 130 Years of Masterpieces (page 8) Fabergé: From a Snowflake to an Iceberg (page 9) Tuesday, September 16, 6 p.m.

MIXERS AND ELIXIRS Talk Like a Pirate Friday, September 19, 7 - 10 p.m. (page 22)

FOSSIL WASH DAY HMNS at Sugar Land Saturday, September 20, 9 a.m. – noon (page 11) FAMILY EVENT Ancient Encounters - Rome Saturday, September 20, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. (page 21) DISTINGUISHED LECTURE “Natural History and Aesthetics: Why Should We Care About Nature?”

Monday, September 22, 6:30 p.m. (page 7) CULTURAL FEAST “Oktoberfest: The History & Science of Beer” Tuesday, September 23, 7 p.m. (page 17)

CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASS “An Overview of the Energy Industry” Thursday, September 25, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (page 17) DISTINGUISHED LECTURE “Plant Conservation in a Rapidly Changing World” Thursday, September 25, 6:30 p.m.

DISTINGUISHED LECTURE “Monarchs: Is the Migration Moribund?”

Monday, September 29, 6:30 p.m. (page 7) EXXONMOBIL TEACHER TUESDAY “Battleship Texas” Tuesday, September 30, 5 p.m. (page 18)

For tickets to all events, visit www

WORLD TREKKERS – MEXICO Friday, September 12 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Tickets $10, Members $7

With food, entertainment and cultural activities for the whole family, you can experience vibrant Mexico—from its ancient roots to its fiery fervor and flavors— right here in your own backyard! The family-fun film Beverly Hills Chihuahua will be showing at 7 p.m. in the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre.

OCTOBER DISTINGUISHED LECTURE “The World Converges in Constantinople: Contact in a Byzantine Port” Thursday, October 16, 6:30 p.m. (page 16)

CHILDREN’S COSTUME PARADE AND PUMPKIN MAZE HMNS at Sugar Land Saturday, October 25, 10 a.m. - noon (page 11)

HOUSTON BULB AND PLANT MART Thursday, October 2, 4:30 - 7 p.m.

Friday, October 3, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday, October 4, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. (page 20)

EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE LUNCHEON Tuesday, October 21 (page 2)

HANDS-ON CLASS “Magic 101” Saturday, October 25, 9 - 11 a.m. (page 17)

EXXONMOBIL TEACHER TUESDAY “Geology 101” Tuesday, October 21, 5 p.m. (page 18)

HANDS-ON CLASS “Magic 201” Sunday, October 26, 1 - 3 p.m. (page 17)

DISTINGUISHED LECTURE “Bones Never Lie” Thursday, October 2, 6:30 p.m. (page 16) FILM SCREENING Particle Fever Thursday, October 9, 6 p.m. (page 16)

DISTINGUISHED LECTURE “Ethics without God? The Evolution of Morality and Empathy in the Primates” Tuesday, October 21, 6:30 p.m. (page 16)

MEMBERS ONLY EVENT George Observatory 25th Anniversary Friday, October 10, 6 - 10 p.m. (page 15)

SKY EVENT AT THE GEORGE Partial Solar Eclipse Thursday, October 23, noon - 6 p.m. (page 15)

FALL PLANT SALE Saturday, October 11, 9 a.m. - noon (page 20)

MEMBERS ONLY EVENT Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife Friday, October 24, 6 - 10 p.m.

Saturday, October 25, 6 - 10 p.m. (page 7)

DISTINGUISHED LECTURE “Gulf of Mexico Biodiversity and Oil Spill Resilience” Monday, October 13, 6:30 p.m. (page 7)

w.hmns.org or call (713) 639-4629.

HAUNTED HOUSE EVENT HMNS at Sugar Land Friday, October 24, 7 - 9 p.m. (page 11)

DISTINGUISHED LECTURE “Bats: The Night Shift” Monday, October 27, 6:30 p.m. (page 7) SHELL EDUCATORS’ PREVIEW Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife Tuesday, October 28, 4 - 7 p.m. (page 18) EXXONMOBIL TEACHER TUESDAY “Electricity” Tuesday, October 28, 5 p.m. (page 18) MIXERS AND ELIXIRS Spirits and Skeletons Friday, October 31, 8 p.m. - midnight (page 22)

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DISTINGUISHED LECTURE “Houston’s Prehistoric Energy Corridor” Wednesday, October 1, 6:30 p.m. (page 16)

HMNS WORLD TREKKERS • EVENTS CALENDAR

Travel south of the border with World Trekkers: Mexico!

POSTMASTER: Dated material enclosed.

Please deliver IMMEDIATELY!

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Houston, Texas Permit No. 6371

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

www.hmns.org/magazine

H M N S N E W S • SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014 • VOLUME 19, NUMBER 5

5555 Hermann Park Drive Houston, Texas 77030

NEW INSTALLATION OPENS SEPTEMBER 19

NOW THROUGH JANUARY 11

NEW INSTALLATION OPENS OCTOBER 26