DECEMBER2013 –JANUARY2014

Sparks!ANewsletterforMembersandFriendsoftheMuseumofScience

Food is our constant companion. It’s shared between friends at social gatherings, offers glimpses into

new cultures when we travel, and sumptuously crowns our tables

when we celebrate holidays.

But what do we really know about

the food we eat? Did the apple in

our lunchbox really travel thou-

sands of miles, when there is a

farm down the road? Why do some

people embrace certain food sources

while others find them repulsive? More

important, do our human behaviors

affect the growth, availability, and genetic

makeup of natural food sources? Continued on next page

InsideThisIssue

• Step Inside Our Global Kitchen

• Popular IMAX Film Returns

• Museum’s Future Is Green

See What’s Cooking In Our KitchenNew temporary exhibit aims to revolutionize the way we think about food.

ComplexSystems,ChallengingQuestions

These and other questions are at the heart of Our Global

Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture, opening at the Museum on

December 22. This new temporary exhibit explores the com-

plex and intricate food system that brings what we eat from

farm to fork—while delving into issues surrounding nature,

culture, health, and history.

Sections devoted to growing, transporting, cooking, eating,

and celebrating illuminate the myriad ways that food is

experienced throughout the world. Eating is a daily ritual for

all humans, but the complex global system that produces our

food has critical implications for the health of humans and

Earth’s ecological systems. In order to create conversations

around these implications, visitors will consider some

of the most challenging issues of our time.

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For example, did you know that most of the plants and

animals we raise for food today barely resemble their wild

ancestors? Or that once-overlooked plant and animal species

such as algae, insects, and quinoa may offer solutions to

issues of sustainability and demand? Grow: How Humans

Modify Crops, Livestock highlights the numerous—and often

controversial—methods growers currently use as well as

potential new growing techniques.

It’s easy to take the immense variety of food for granted

in modern supermarkets. But ingredients such as chili

peppers, chocolate, and tomatoes were unknown outside

of the Americas until 500 years ago. Explore the sweeping

global process that enables this variety in Trade and Transport:

How Food is Distributed Around the World. Highlights include

a life-size re-creation of a 16th-century Aztec marketplace

and a “waste sculpture” containing the amount of food a

US family of four wastes per year (1,656 pounds!).

Learn about creative preparation methods and ingredients

in Cook: How Humans Have Transformed Food Across

Cultures and History. Discover signature dishes from

around the world, from Korean kimchi to Moroccan tagine,

be transported through smelling stations, and explore an

interactive cooking table.

The dynamic between hunger and obesity is the focus of

Eat: Contrasts in Too Little, Too Much. Learn what a week’s

worth of groceries includes for families around the world,

witness the dining tables of some illustrious individuals, and

glimpse historic dishes—from Gandhi’s childhood meal to

Michael Phelps’s Olympian-sized breakfast.

Our Global Kitchen takes visitors on a wide-ranging tour of

foods that commemorate special occasions in Celebrate: How

Continued from cover

Food Reflects Culture and Identity. From colorful Ukrainian

Easter eggs to the sugar skulls of Mexico’s Day of the Dead,

you’ll learn how different cultures use food as a form of

expression. You can even join a Thanksgiving dinner, a

Chinese New Year celebration, the Hindu festival Ganesh

Chaturthi, and more through a captivating video finale.

CookingfortheFuture

“We hope visitors will look at some-

thing they all do every day—eat—

and think about the legacy of cen-

turies of farmers that have shaped

our foods, the wisdom of cooks to

create cuisines, the celebrations

and traditions woven across gen-

erations and geographies, and how

the natural environment supports

the foods that we rely on now

and in the future,” says Eleanor

Sterling, exhibit co-curator.

Our Global Kitchen offers a

comprehensive, holistic approach

to a subject familiar to all of us.

By peeling away the layers of an

experience that may have become

routine, you’ll come away with a

renewed understanding and

appreciation for the food you eat.

Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York.

OurGlobalKitchen On Exhibit December 22 – April 13 | Member Preview December 21

FOODWASTESCUlpTURE

Photos © American Museum of Natural History

What’s Under Your Skin? Innovative technologies shed light on the extraordinary processes occurring inside our bodies.

We recently introduced the Museum’s newest permanent exhi-

bition: the Hall of Human Life. This 10,000-square-foot space is

revolutionizing the way visitors understand their own biology by

investigating how humans change over time in our dynamic en-

vironments. Now, to enhance your understanding of your body’s

interior, we’ve brought back a popular IMAX® film that provides

an in-depth view of what really goes on inside your body—even

as you read this page!

DelveDeeperwithTechnology

As the Hall of Human Life uses sophisticated digital and multi-

media resources, so too does The Human Body, a large-format

film showing in the Mugar Omni Theater. Innovative cinematic

techniques such as microscopic photography, thermal imaging,

and computer-generated imagery shed light on the inner work-

ings of our bodies, providing visitors with an extremely up-close

and comprehensive view.

The film first played at the Museum in 2006, but now visitors

can use it to complement their Hall of Human Life experience.

After learning about your body’s interior through a film viewing,

you may be astonished to learn about the biological processes

that occur, often without your control and without your notice—

from the vibration of minute hairs in your inner ear to the

racing of red blood cells through 100 miles of veins, arteries,

and capillaries.

Up-Closeandpersonal

Combining live action footage with advanced rendering tech-

nologies, The Human Body gives viewers an x-ray look into

the daily lives of four real people: Hannah, pregnant with her

first child; Hannah’s husband, Buster; and their pre-teen niece

Zannah and teenage nephew Luke.

As the family members go about their lives, the filmmakers

put their bodies’ processes in context, allowing you to watch

inner ear hairs vibrate as Zannah listens to music, or see heat

rise in waves off an overheated Luke as he pedals to school.

Hannah’s pregnancy, in particular, provides ample footage

of fetal development, capturing tiny fingers still in the womb

and time-release photography of her expanding and changing

silhouette. Even Buster’s hair-raising drive to work becomes

an opportunity to see how we sweat in reaction to stress.

RediscoverYourSelf

Under the zoom lens of the filmmakers, even the smallest

body function—a growing hair, for example—is seen in stun-

ning, larger-than-life detail. By combining our Hall of Human

Life exhibition with a viewing of The Human Body, you’re sure

to come away with an enhanced knowledge of the physiologi-

cal processes that happen every day under your own skin.

TheHumanBodyNow Showing in Omni | HallofHumanlife Now in the Exhibit Halls

Photo © Michael Malyszko

A Greener Museum of Science New garage and lobby renovations provide a more enriching visitor experience while increasing sustainability.

While we actively promote environmental education through exhibits, in-Museum programming, and formal curricula,

we’re also making environmental sustainability a high priority—striving to transform ourselves into a “greener” Museum of Science.

As part of The Campaign for the Museum of Science, major environmental improvements will soon be underway for the garage, concourse, lobby, and the space that will eventually become The Yawkey Gallery on the Charles River.

AGreenerGarage

The renovations will be noticeable even as you first approach

the Museum. Through a living, vegetative screen attached to

the garage’s street-facing façade, the Museum will signal its

commitment to environmental sustainability to an estimated

3.2 million motorists, pedestrians, and visitors each year.

The roof of the garage will host a collection

system to gather rainwater, which will be

recycled for use in public and staff restrooms

and for lawn irrigation. The roof receives an

estimated 1.5 – 1.7 million gallons of precipi-

tation each year; capturing a portion of this

amount can significantly reduce our current

reliance on city-water consumption.

FuturelobbyImprovements

New restrooms will be installed in the concourse linking the

garage and lobby—an important visitor amenity in an ideal

location. These new restrooms will utilize rainwater from the

roof. Signage in the restrooms will inform the public about

wise water use. Additionally, reclaimed rainwater will be

routed to a portion of restrooms used by Museum staff.

What’s Happening to the Box Office?

Renovations to the box office are planned

for late spring 2014. During this period,

a temporary box office will be set up in an

adjacent space near the current Mathematica

exhibit, which is scheduled to be dismantled

in January.

Designed by Ray and Charles Eames,

Mathematica is an iconic exhibit and a

visitor favorite. The Museum has evaluated

and assessed its components, and plans

to incorporate the exhibit into a new and

revitalized math presence in the future.

Our exhibits and curatorial staff will

work together to disassemble and store

Mathematica safely during this transition

period. We look forward to bringing you the

news of its renewal and reopening!

The relocation of the Information Booth will better serve arriving

visitors and after-hours event-goers. Self-service ticketing kiosks

will be incorporated into the refurbished and expanded box office,

giving you a more convenient method of payment. You’ll also be

treated to better views of the Charles River.

Updates ultimately incorporated into The Yawkey Gallery will

tell the story of how our lives intersect with the natural and

engineered worlds, and our roles in an ecosystem created by

both human-made and natural elements. New exhibits will

interpret the river’s history, ecosystem, and highly engineered

surroundings.

Hard-WorkingWindows

Electro-chromatically tinted glass has a coating that can be tinted

electronically, which can reduce glare from the Sun and control

temperature. By reducing heat and managing light in our lobby’s

three-story windows, we will cut energy costs by an expected 34%.

In addition, your visit will be more comfortable, with consistent

indoor temperatures and no glare.

These efforts will not only add to the Museum’s environmental

sustainability, they will also improve the visitor experience, provide

additional amenities, and enhance environmental education.

A “greener” Museum of Science is a win for everyone.

Calendar of EventsDecember 2013 – January 2014

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

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December JanuaryOrder Gift MembershipsOrder by today for guaranteed postal delivery of membership packet and card by December 24. All orders, regardless of date, include a printable certificate via email to present to your gift recipient.

Book Club for the CuriousJoin a discussion about Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic by David Quammen. Cambridge Innovation Center. 5:30 p.m.

Member Preview: Our Global KitchenExclusive Member Event—Museum members get a taste of this temporary exhibit before it opens to the general public. 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Our Global Kitchen OpensTemporary Exhibit—Explore the complex and intricate food system that brings what we eat from farm to fork in sections devoted to growing, transporting, cooking, and more.

Christmas EveExhibit Halls and all venues close at 2:00 p.m.

Christmas DayEntire Museum is closed.

Holiday Week BeginsExhibit Halls are open: Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Saturday – Monday 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Note: Hours subject to change; call or check mos.org to confirm.

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

new Year’s DayExhibit Halls and show venues are open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

santa vs. the snowman ClosesIMAX® Film—Traditional holiday themes are given a fresh new twist in this wildly revolutionary Yuletide story. $

Book Club for the CuriousJoin a discussion about Brilliant Blunders: From Darwin to Einstein by Mario Livio. Cambridge Innovation Center. 5:30 p.m.

Journey to the south Pacific OpensIMAX® Film—Set in the exotic cluster of Indonesia’s many islands, this film explores the region’s breathtaking ancient reefs, ocean life, and human stories. $

summer CoursesMember registration begins for morning and afternoon classes for students entering grades 1 – 8. Register at mos.org/courses. $

Food on FilmFilm Screening—Symphony of the Soil portrays soil as a protagonist in our planetary story. A panel discussion follows the screening. 7:00 p.m. !

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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.

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

New! Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, CultureSunday, December 22, 2013 – Sunday, April 13, 2014Explore the complex and intricate food system that brings what we eat from farm to fork in sections devoted to growing, transporting, cooking, eating, and celebrating.

last Chance! Seasons of Change: Global Warming in your BackyardThrough Sunday, January 5Find out how climate change is affecting the people and landscapes of New England as you investigate issues like coastal flooding, invasive species, and forest change.

Butterfly GardenExplore a living exhibit filled with sunlight, plants, and free-flying butterflies. Timed tickets required. Discounts available for members.

Hall of Human lifeSpanning more than 70 interactive components, the exhibition will provide a new way for visitors to explore their changing biology and health—from the psychosocial to the molecular level.

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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.

Top 10 Science Stories of 2013Daily throughout January; 2:30 p.m.The Current Science & Technology team highlight their picks for the ten most interesting and important science stories of 2013. Discover which stories made the cut, and which one sits atop them all as our number-one science story of the year!

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Photo © American Museum of Natural History

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

Returning! The Human BodyFrom 250 mph impulses in your brain to blood cells racing through 100 miles of veins, arteries, and capillaries— discover the dramas and extraordinary accomplishments that play out each day beneath your skin!

JerusalemExperience the beauty and majesty of this ancient and beloved city as you discover its many hidden secrets.

Rocky Mountain ExpressSpeed through the Canadian Rockies on a thrilling journey back to the age of steam-powered trains. Experience the colossal feats of engineering—and epic risks—that shaped a nation.

Santa vs. the SnowmanThrough Wednesday, January 1Witness the adventures of a lonely snowman as he wages an epic battle against Santa with hilarious results.

spread the Holiday spirit with Gift Memberships

This season, invite your friends and family to build a year of member-only memories at the Museum of Science. Gift memberships offer free exhibit Halls admission, passes to sample from our lineup of Mugar Omni Theater and Planetarium shows, access to exclusive member events and discounts, and more amazing and educational experiences than you can wrap a bow around!

Members Enjoy:

• Free Exhibit Halls admission all year.

• Invitations to exclusive member events.

• Free or discounted admission to more than 400 select museums, science centers, and zoos nationwide.

• Valuable discounts and special offers.

Give Gift Memberships:

• By phone: 617-589-0180, 617-589-0417 (TTY), 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., daily.

• Online: mos.org/members.

• In person: Membership Booth, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., daily.

• Have your gift recipient’s mailing address and phone contact information ready.

Delivery Options:

• All orders regardless of date are accompanied by a printable certificate via email to present to your gift recipient.

• Order by December 4 for guaranteed postal delivery of packet and cards by Christmas.

3-D Digital Cinema Shows in Wright Theater. For showtimes and tickets: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org. Discounts available for members. 3-D shows run approximately 20 minutes.

Flight of the ButterfliesGo on an awe-inspiring journey as you follow the year-long annual migration cycle of the Monarch butterfly.

Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric AdventureTravel back to the Late Cretaceous period, when giant marine reptiles dominated the sea, and learn how science can tell the story of these colossal creatures.

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.

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.

Moons: Worlds of MysteryExperience the spectacular forces at work on these natural satellites, and discover just how complex and wild the solar system really is. Produced by the Museum of Science.

Undiscovered Worlds: The Search Beyond Our SunThe discovery of exoplanets—the hundreds 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 the 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.

laser ShowsFriday and Saturday eveningsExperience sensational light displays set to popular music! Our three-show lineup features the classic sounds of legendary rockers Pink Floyd, the epic masterpieces of ’70s and ’80s Queen, and the chart-topping hits of pop icons The Beatles.

COMING SOON! We’re planning a special winter Planetarium show—check mos.org for updates.

adult OfferingsFor 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, December 12 and January 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.

• December 12: Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic by David Quammen.

• January 9: Brilliant Blunders: From Darwin to Einstein by Mario Livio.

• Presented in partnership with the Cambridge Innovation Center.

Primates and Predators safariTanzania & Rwanda: January 20 – February 2, 2015

Escape the doldrums of winter and bask in the sights, sounds, and sun of East Africa with the Museum of Science. You’ll experience Tanzania’s national treasures, including Ngorongoro’s breathtaking caldera; one of the world’s most important archaeological sites, Oldupai Gorge; and the great wildebeest calving season in the impressive Serengeti. Then, complete your safari with a trip to the lush forests of Rwanda where we’ll trek to see magnificent gorillas*. Adding to an already unforgettable adventure, you’ll enjoy the good company of Museum educators and experienced safari guides Ken Pauley and Lucy Kirshner. *A limited number of permits for gorilla trek necessitates a 12-month advance booking.

• Trips fill quickly. January 2014 Safari: SOLD OUT; June 2014 Safari: SOLD OUT.

• For more information or to reserve a spot contact Roberta Moore at roberta@thomsonsafaris.com or 1-800-235-0289, Ken Pauley at 978-635-3794, or Holli Adams at 617-589-0324.

• For more information: web.kenpauley.com.

Food on Film Presents Symphony of the SoilWednesday, January 29; 7:00 p.m.Explore the complexity and mystery of the miraculous substance—soil. By understanding the elaborate rela-tionships between soil, water, the atmosphere, plants and animals, and humans, we come to appreciate the dynamic nature of this precious resource. A panel discussion follows the screening.

• Free, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.

• Register online at mos.org/events.

• Co-presented by The Arnold Arboretum.

Exclusive Member EventsFor more information, use the numbers and addresses listed below or contact: 617-589-0180, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org/members.

Member Preview: Our Global KitchenSaturday, December 21; 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Explore the complex and intricate food system that brings what we eat from farm to fork. Learn how what we eat relates to nature, culture, health, and history. Museum members get a taste of this tempo-rary exhibit before it opens to the general public.

• Free. No reservations required.

• Entrance 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: mos.org/members.

Member tips

’Tis the season to make the most of your member privileges during school vacation weeks:

• Take advantage of extended holiday hours: mos.org/hours.

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

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

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

• Museum parking is first come, first served. Avoid peak times by arriving before 10:30 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. Garage payment is by credit and 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 tickets, or find information on upcoming member-exclusive events.

sign Up for E-news!

Be a member in the know! Sign up for our monthly member e-newsletter to receive not only member event reminders but also late-breaking Museum news and exclusive online offers. Sign up at mos.org/members.

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special Hours and Closings

Holiday Week Schedule

December 24

Museum closes at 2:00 p.m.

December 25

Entire Museum is closed.

December 26, 28 – 30

Exhibit Halls are open 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

December 27

Exhibit Halls are open 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

December 31 – January 1

Exhibit Halls are open 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Gilliland Observatory: Seasonal ClosingThe Museum’s rooftop observatory is now closed temporarily due to colder temperatures. It is scheduled to reopen Friday, March 7 (weather permitting).

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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:

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

The Amazing Nano Brothers Juggling ShowSelect Saturdays, January – May; 12:00 and 2:00 p.m.Join virtuoso jugglers Dan and Joel as they provide a comic and unforgettable introduction to atoms, molecules, and nanoscale forces while juggling everything from baseball bats to potted plants—even atop seven-foot unicycles! Who knew physics could be this much fun?

• Free with Exhibit Halls admission.

• Length: 40 minutes.

• Check schedule at mos.org/amazing-nano-brothers.

no Gift Wrap necessary!

Annual Fund gifts make the excitement of scientific discovery available to thousands of Museum visitors each year.

As the end of 2013 approaches, we invite you to make a tax-deductible Annual Fund donation today. Your gift will make a substantial impact; we rely on charitable support to cover nearly 30% of our operating expenses. A gift of any amount makes an enormous difference—and you don’t even have to wrap it!

Please consider making a gift to the Museum of Science. Call 617-589-0370 or visit mos.org/donate today.

Note: The Explorers Society and Discoverers Society offer special benefits for donors making Annual Fund gifts of $300 or more. For more information, visit mos.org/explorers or mos.org/discoverers.

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4 JoeKennedyTourstheMuseumCongressman Joe P. Kennedy III learned

about the Museum’s informal science

education and formal science, technology,

engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum

as part of his August STEM tour of Massa-

chusetts. Kennedy also enjoyed a behind-the-

scenes tour of the Hall of Human Life prior

to its public opening. Commenting on his

experience in a recent e-newsletter, Kennedy

said that the Museum “is an organization that

has truly set the bar in terms of its commit-

ment to STEM.”

5 MuseumHostsIMAX®Film’sWorldpremiereThe Museum hosted the world premiere of

the new giant-screen film JERUSALEM in

the Mugar Omni Theater on September 12,

generating positive reviews from The Boston

Globe and others. A visually stunning explo-

ration of this treasured city and its iconic

holy sites, the film features celebrated author

and archaeologist Jodi Magness. Before

the film, Magness shared her experiences

unearthing the secrets of the region during

her lecture, “The Archaeology of Jerusalem,

Qumran, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.”

1 localInventorsHonoredThe third annual Invented Here! celebration

took place on September 19. This special

event, hosted by Robin Young of WBUR-

FM’s news magazine Here & Now, honored

local inventors and the technologies they

developed. The four featured inventions

included lasers that can “see through”

objects, an indoor GPS system that uses

LED lights, a low-maintenance lawn seed

mixture, and a method for assembling small-

scale robots. Nearly 300 guests from Boston’s

innovation and start-up community were in

attendance, showcasing New England as an

international hub of innovation.

2 leadingInnovatorsReceiveColbyAwardandWalkerprize

On October 24, the 2013 Colby Society event

was held, featuring the presentation of the

2013 Walker Prize. For their extraordinary

contributions of time, treasure, and talent, the

Museum awarded the Colonel Francis T. Colby

Award to former chairs of the board of trustees

Malcolm L. Sherman and Ira Stepanian. The

2013 Walker Prize was awarded to Michael T.

Jones (pictured). As Google’s chief technology

advocate, Jones is charged with improving tech-

nology to organize the world’s information and

make it universally accessible and useful.

3 CelebratingthelifeofNeilArmstrongAstronaut Neil Armstrong, who was chosen to

receive the 2013 Bradford Washburn Award,

wrote to accept the award just weeks before his

death. As commander of Apollo 11 and the first

human to set foot on the Moon, Armstrong

accomplished one of the most extraordinary

feats in the history of mankind. To honor his

memory, Armstrong’s family will accept the

award, presented annually to an individual

who has made an outstanding contribution

toward public understanding and apprecia-

tion of science and the vital role it plays in our

lives, on his behalf.

Museum News

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DidYouKnow?2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the Bradford Washburn Award, which was established in 1964 by an anonymous donor.

General Information

HOURSHours, which are subject to change, are extended during Massachusetts school vacations. For updates: mos.org/hours.

Exhibit Halls

• Regular (Sat – Thurs) 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. • Fridays 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Year round) • Summer (Sat – Thurs) 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (July 5 – Labor Day) • Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. • Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day Closed

TICKETSANDINFORMATIONAdvance reservations recommended. For current prices and to purchase tickets: 617-723-2500, 617-589-0417 (TTY), mos.org. For membership information: 617-589-0180, membership@mos.org, mos.org/members.

DIRECTIONSANDpARKING• plANAHEAD A state project on the Longfellow Bridge is rerout-

ing traffic in front of the Museum. At times, increased traffic volume could cause delays. Please allow extra time, or consider taking public transportation. For updates: mos.org/traveltips.

• Address 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114• Detailed Directions 617-723-2500, mos.org/directions • Parking Museum parking is available first come, first served. Members receive a discount in the Museum garage.

BOSTONDUCKTOURSTickets sold in the Red Wing, near the Mugar Omni Theater. DUCKs depart from the driveway near the T. rex. Tours run daily, April – November. For reservations: 617-267-3825, bostonducktours.com. Members receive a discount.

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

EDUCATIONAlRESOURCESField Trips

For information about Museum field trips and other opportunities for educators, such as the Teacher Partner Program: 617-723-2500, 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!DECEMBER2013–JANUARY2014Marketing Communications Director: Carl ZukroffEditors: Christopher DelConte, Kevin SawyerArt Director: Lori SartreDesigners: Nicole Guzzo, Fanny Lau, Lianne Stoddard Contributors: Andrea Durham, Kristen O’Reilly, Kevin SmithSparks is published bimonthly. Circulation: 53,000. © 2013 Museum of Science, Boston. All rights reserved.

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IMAGINE.INNOvATE.INSpIRE.Support The Campaign for the Museum of Science. For more information, call us at 617-589-0181 or visit mos.org/campaign.

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Photo © Michael Malyszko Photo © Ashley McCabe

Sparks!ANewsletterforMembersandFriendsoftheMuseumofScience

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DECEMBER2013–JANUARY2014

Journey to the South Pacific

OurGlobalKitchenOn Exhibit December 22 – April 13

Seecoverstory

Go on an all-new IMAX® adventure!

OpensJanuary17intheMugarOmniTheaterOpensJanuary17intheMugarOmniTheater

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Produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films in association with IMAX® Entertainment and presented by One World One Ocean.