Evergreen Exhibitions Articles RSS Feed

EXPLORE THE HISTORY AND FUTURE OF SPACE TRAVEL IN OMSI'S NEW EXHIBIT - SPACE: A JOURNEY TO OUR FUTURE

Mike Kempf — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:00:00 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. (Jan. 8, 2009) The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will offer space exploration enthusiasts the opportunity to touch a piece of Mars, see a real Moon rock up close, take a spin on a space bike, or tour a full-scale future lunar habitat and more in the new exhibit Space: A Journey to Our Future, opening January 30, 2010. Space: A Journey to Our Future examines the history of our space program, brings to life current projects in space exploration – satellites, space telescopes, living in space – and provides a glimpse of future human space travel through highly advanced interactive displays. Space: A Journey to Our Future is one of the largest touring exhibitions ever produced on space exploration. The exhibit comes to OMSI through the generous support of local presenting sponsor Lufthansa and local supporting sponsors Chevron and Mentor Graphics.

“With the International Space Station, Mars rovers, and the LCROSS Moon mission, it is truly a golden age for space exploration,” said OMSI planetarium manager Jim Todd. “This exhibit will help people appreciate how far space exploration has come and hopefully will inspire future generations to go further and uncover more mysteries of the cosmos.”

“Lufthansa is delighted to support this exhibit and welcome visitors onboard for a truly extraordinary journey through space and time,” said Mark Lagler, Lufthansa District Sales Manager, Pacific Northwest.

Exhibit highlights include:

Space Exploration Artifacts - Visitors will see a wide range of artifacts from the past and present space program including space suits, a lunar rover tire, a camera from the Apollo program, early fuel cells and shuttle tiles.

Today’s Space Program - This interactive area examines the International Space Station, deep space probes, next-generation telescopes, living in space and space tourism, and NASA studies in robonauts.

Constellation Program - Visitors will get an up-close look at the Orion, the new spacecraft that will take human explorers back to the Moon, and the Ares rocket which will propel the new spacecraft.

Lunar Base Camp - Would-be explorers can literally step into the future and interact aboard a re-created future base camp on the lunar surface.

Create Your Own Mission to Mars- Through hands-on interactive displays and modules, visitors can design their own trip to Mars, from the design of the spacecraft to living quarters to supplies needed, and ultimately find out how successful their trip would likely be.

360-degree “Future Theatre” - In an immersive media experience, visitors will look far into the future of exploration and deep into space, pondering mysteries to be revealed and questions to be answered.

Representatives from NASA, NSTA, and national partner General Motors, along with leading science centers across the country, served on an educational committee for the exhibit to ensure accuracy and relevance in the exhibit’s educational message.

Space: A Journey to Our Future was produced by Evergreen Exhibitions and was made possible by national partner General Motors.

About OMSI

Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit www.omsi.edu.

26-Jan-10 10:00 AM

Fact Sheet - Microbes

Mike Kempf — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:45:00 GMT

WHAT:

“Microbes: Invisible Invaders ... Amazing Allies”

An interactive, high-tech, children’s exhibit traveling to 15 North American cities

NATIONAL SPONSORS:

Pfizer Inc, produced by Evergreen Exhibitions in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health

PURPOSE:

To take the mystery out of “killer” microbes. The exhibit explores what microbes are (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa--”germs” to most people), what they look like, the history of infectious disease, emerging diseases and how researchers and individuals fight infectious disease worldwide.

SECTIONS:

1) Paris crypt, 2) Egyptian tomb, 3) Aztec ruins, 4) Early 1900s Main Street North America, 5) Microbe TV, 6) Microbial Universe, 7) Body of Disease, 8) Good Deeds, 9) Microbial Superhighway, 10) New Frontiers

EXHIBIT SIZE:

3,000 square feet

POINTS OF INTEREST:

Healer in Crypt - In the replica of a skull- and bone-filled Paris catacomb, a guide describes the bubonic plague in the year 1400 A.D. His beaked mask contains flowers and herbs thought to protect people from the deadly disease they believed was caused by poison air rising up from the earth.

Ramses Mummy - A photo of the unwrapped mummy of Ramses shows pockmarks from the smallpox virus, which attacked Ramses and probably killed him in 1151 B.C.

Aztec Ruins - An engaging, colorful mural depicts figurines dating from before 750 A.D. showing evidence of diseases from which the peoples of Central American must have suffered. Since diseases such as leprosy and small pox were not present in Central America when these figurines were made, they suggest that other disfiguring diseases attacked the peoples of what is now Mexico.

Microbial Universe - Visitors can explore a new cosmos, the hidden universe of microbes. Six colorful, volumetric holograms floating in space present different microbes, including HIV (AIDS) and Ebola, as three-dimensional models. Images from an electron microscope and large-view light microscope offer rare, close-up views of real microbes such as rabies and Ebola.

Meet a Bug - Colorful, volumetric projections present six microbes, including HIV (AIDS) and rubella, as three-dimensional sculptures.

Microbe Quiz Show - This interactive television game show tests participants’ new-found knowledge with a true-false quiz.

Gobble De Goop - Players of this video game guide munching microbes as they gobble up an oil spill.

CONTACT:

Christi Klingelhefer

Venue Sales Manager

Evergreen Exhibitions

3737 Broadway, Suite 100

San Antonio, Texas 78209

Phone: (210) 582-0015

Christi@evergreenexhibitions.com

www.evergreenexhibitions.com

15-Dec-09 5:45 PM

INVISIBLE INVADERS TAKE OVER AMERICA: Traveling Exhibit Takes Mystery Out of Microbes

Mike Kempf — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:00:00 GMT

A traveling science exhibition is taking children on an interactive journey through the hidden world of microbes. “Microbes: Invisible Invaders ... Amazing Allies” uncovers a mysterious universe of microscopic organisms--from those that sustain life on Earth to those that threaten our health and even our existence.

A 3,000-square-foot set of “Microbes: Invisible Invaders ... Amazing Allies,” based on the bigger blockbuster show by the same name, began a five-year, 15-city tour of the U.S. on October 23 at the Witte Museum in San Antonio, Texas.

The interactive, 3,000-square-foot exhibit reveals what microbes are (bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa--”germs” to most people), explores a history of infectious diseases and shows how researchers and individuals fight infection worldwide.

Kid-friendly technology highlights hands-on activities. Interactive displays, computer animation, theatrical sets and special effects bring microbes to life.

The exhibit is sponsored by Pfizer Inc and produced by Evergreen Exhibitions in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“This exhibit separates fact from fiction about microbes,” said C.L. Clemente, senior vice president-corporate affairs for Pfizer Inc. “By understanding how microbes can hurt us and also how they help us, families can make smarter choices about their health and learn about the strides we’re making in research to stay one step ahead.”

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a component of the NIH, infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide and the third leading killer of North Americans. More than 30 newly recognized infectious diseases and syndromes have emerged in the last two decades alone. Another challenge has been the development of drug-resistant strains of many common infections, making them increasingly difficult to treat and requiring ongoing medical research.

“As the statistics demonstrate, infectious diseases continue to be a serious problem throughout the world,” said John R. La Montagne, Ph.D., director, NIAID’s Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. “This exhibit will help people understand how medical research can contribute to the development of new treatments and vaccines. We hope the exhibit will also inspire the next generation of medical researchers.”

Pfizer Inc is a research-based, global health care company. The company’s mission is to discover and develop innovative, value-added products that improve the quality of life of people around the world and help them enjoy longer, healthier and more productive lives. Pfizer is headquartered in Manhattan and maintains its original manufacturing plant in Brooklyn, N.Y.

NIAID is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIAID conducts and supports research to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as HIV disease and other sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, asthma and allergies. NIH is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

For information please visit the Microbes Web site at http://www.pfizer.com/rd/microbes.

15-Dec-09 5:00 PM

Interactives - Microbes

Mike Kempf — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Exhibit Sections

Exhibit content is organized into 10 sections:

1) Paris crypt

2) Egyptian tomb

3) Aztec Ruins

4) Main Street North America

5) Microbe TV

6) Microbial Universe

7) Defenders of the Castle

8) Good Deeds

9) Microbial Superhighway

10) New Frontiers

In the first four sections, the exhibit examines the history of some of mankind’s most devastating diseases.

1) Paris Crypt

Dr. Beak presented in a skull-filled catacomb below Paris describes the bubonic plague which killed about 56 million Europeans from 1340 to 1420. On display is a recreation of a beaked mask thought to protect people from the plague, which they believed was caused by poison gas rising from the Earth.

2) Egyptian Tomb

A photo of the unwrapped mummy of Ramses V shows pockmarks from the smallpox virus that attacked and probably killed Egypt’s ruler, who died around 1151 B.C. The mural also features a photograph of an Egyptian stone tablet which provided the first pictorial record of polio.

3) Aztec Ruins

An engaging, colorful mural depicts figurines dating from before 750 A.D. showing evidence of diseases from which the peoples of Central American must have suffered. Since diseases such as leprosy and small pox were not present in Central America when these figurines were made, they suggest that other disfiguring diseases attacked the peoples of what is now Mexico.

4) Main Street North America

This section describes epidemics of polio, flu and tuberculosis striking close to home. A three-minute video presentation describes the discovery of penicillin in 1928 and the breakthrough of mass production as a “wonder drug” during World War II.

5) Microbe TV

Microbe Man, the exhibit’s cartoon super-hero and exhibit guide, and VJ Sabrina host a 90-second animated video that illustrates just how miniscule microbes really are.

6) Microbial Universe

Visitors can explore a new cosmos, the hidden universe of microbes. Six colorful, volumetric holograms floating in space present different microbes, including HIV (AIDS) and Ebola, as three-dimensional models. Images from an electron microscope and large-view light microscope offer rare, close-up views of real microbes such as rabies and Ebola.

7) Defenders of the Castle

Exhibit-goers discover how harmful microbes invade human bodies and how humans fight back. Hands-on displays demonstrate how people fight infection both with the body’s natural defenses and with antibiotic defenses to prevent and treat infectious disease. Interactive displays include a fortified castle that illustrates our dependence upon our hair, skin and even mucous (yuck!) to protect us from disease-causing microbes.

8) Good Deeds

This area offers a more light-hearted look at the beneficial and essential roles microbes play. Humorous narratives by talking, cartoon-like microbes relate how microbes affect the everyday fare people cook and eat. Players of the Gobble De Goop video game can guide munching microbes as they gobble up an oil spill. The Microbe Quiz Show, an interactive TV program hosted by Microbe Man, invites visitors to a true-false test of their microbial knowledge.

9) Microbial Superhighway

Visitors learn how modern transportation, overcrowding and pollution foster the spread of infectious disease around the world. Hot Zones, featuring brilliant and colorful images of microbes taken using an electron microscopy, illustrates the global distribution of age-old and emerging diseases.

10) New Frontiers

A video presentation describes advances in medical research, including gene therapy--delivering therapeutic genes to cells--and the creation of synthetic drugs.

Interactive Displays

Interactive displays located throughout the exhibit offer children of all ages hands-on discovery of scientific concepts.

1) Simulated Electron Microscope (Microbial Universe)

Visitors get a rare view of real viruses such as HIV {4 millionths of an inch (0.0001 mm) across} as they would appear through an electron microscope--a microscope of extremely high power.

2) Large-view Microscope (Microbial Universe)

Exhibit-goers can peer through a large-view microscope that reflects light off an object to magnify the image, observing fungi, protozoa and bacteria as they appear 250 times larger than life.

3) Lines of Defense (Body of Disease)

A foosball-style game demonstrates the body’s natural lines of defense against infectious disease.

4) Microbe Quiz Show (Good Deeds)

Microbe Man, a cartoon super-hero and exhibit guide, hosts this interactive television game show. Players can test their microbial knowledge with a series of true-false questions.

5) Gobble De Goop (Good Deeds)

In this video game, visitors use a joystick to guide munching microbes as they gobble up an oil spill.

6) Defenders of the Castle

In this interactive display, visitors learn about our dependence upon our hair, skin and even mucous (yuck!) to protect us from disease-causing microbes trying to invade our bodies through our nose, mouth and other orifices.

7) Talking Good-Guy Microbes (Good Deeds)

Hand-held phones allow visitors to hear humorous narratives by talking, cartoon-like microbes. These microbial “good guys” describe examples of microbes at work in the kitchen making cheese, helping bread rise and making compost.

8) Hot Zone Map (Microbial Superhighway)

An interactive display illustrates the global distribution of age-old and emerging diseases featuring brilliant and colorful images of microbes taken using an electron microscopy.

15-Dec-09 5:00 PM

Robot Animal Facts (2,500 sf version)

Mike Kempf — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:00:00 GMT

CHAMELEON

Size: 10 feet long

Exhibit setting: The robot chameleon stands on a branch in the treetops.

Animation: On the robot's head the eyes move around in all directions and the tongue moves in and out toward an insect. The head itself nods and turns left and right. The whole body of the robot rocks back and forth.

Robot parts:	Real animal equivalents:
Protective spikes	Spines, warts and horns
Video screens show color patterns	Color cells (chromatophores) lie beneath the scales
Joints for movement of rear legs	Hip joints
Flexible framework protecting electrical fibers	Vertebrae of spine
Coiled flexible tubing	Vent or cloaca
Waste disposal unit	Prehensile, or gripping, tail
Clamps	Five toes per foot: back feet with three toes outside, two inside; front feet with two toes outside, three inside
Food processor	Stomach
Vessel holding acid for food processor	Digestive gland
Food intake pipe	Esophagus
Air intake pipe	Trachea
Spring-loaded mechanism	Muscles springing and retrieving the tongue
Spring coil	Extended tongue
Spike threaded through the spring coil	Bone within the tongue
Flypaper	Sticky tongue end
Air and scent inlets	Nostrils
Visual receptors	Eyes
Protective sleeves for visual receptors	Eyelids fused together
Universal joints for visual receptors	Eye muscles allow the eyes to move in all directions
Electrical control fibers	Nerve bundles
Mini-computer	Brain

The real animal:
Chameleons are a highly specialized group of lizards, well adapted to life in the trees. The gripping (prehensile) tail works like another foot, helping the chameleon hold on. When not in use, it curls up out of the way.

PLATYPUS

Size: 9 feet long

Exhibit setting: The robot platypus forages for food under the water alongside a riverbank. Environments above and below the water's surface are visible, including a robotic dragonfly buzzing above the submersed robot. Visitors can hear the ambient sounds of water splashing and birds chirping.

Animation: The robot turns its head left and right. Its front legs swim in breaststroke style and its tail moves up and down.

Robot parts:	Real animal equivalents:
Air and smell inlets	Nostrils
Multipurpose food finder and grasper	Beak-like snout or duckbill
Passive electromagnetic field receptors	Electrical sensors
Protective covers over acoustic & visual receptors	Lids cover eyes and ears when under water
Computer	Brain
Large piston	Shoulder muscle for moving front legs
Food processor	Stomach
Protective bumpers	Ribs
Insulating and waterproof covering	Fur
Waste disposal unit	Cloaca
Rudder	Flattened tail with fat storage
Poison injector	In males and only young females; a poison spur that adult males use in fights with other males
Poison container	Only in males, the poison-producing gland in each upper thigh
Egg-producing machine	Only in females, the left ovary produces eggs
Filtering pipe	Large intestine taking nutrients from digested food
Extendible flipper	Webbing folds out in water and tucks back on land
Mechanized hand	Front foot
Food storage vessel	Cheek pouch
Structural support	Bone support to snout
Electrical control fibers	Nerve system
Tactile pressure sensors	Sense endings

The real animal:
When the first platypus specimens arrived in Europe 200 years ago, scientists thought they were fakes. They couldn't believe an animal could have a bill like a duck's, a tail like a beaver's, be covered with fur and lay eggs.

HOUSE FLY

Size: 6 feet long, 10-foot wingspread

Exhibit setting: The robot is feeding on a wedge of cheese that sits on top of a checkered tablecloth.

Animation: The head rotates left and right and nods up and down. Two gyroscopes (balance sensors) on the fly's back rotate continuously. The wings move from the fly's back to a position perpendicular with the body.

Robot parts: Real animal equivalents:

Robot parts:	Real animal equivalents:
Tough, flexible material stretched over struts	Strong membrane
Tubing to the food distributor	Esophagus
Gyroscope used as a balance sensor	Hind wing, or haltere, sending balance information
Nutrient distributor	Midgut from where digested foods are sent to body parts
Waste disposal tubing	Intestines
Rigid outer casing for support and shape	Exoskeleton
Air inlets	Spiracles
Sensory pads with hooked end for extra grip	Clinging feet with taste organs on them
Cleaning brush used for grooming	Bristles on inside of legs
Sensory feelers	Hairs that act as sense organs for touch
Hollow tubes with flexible joints	Legs
Vacuum-like suction nozzle	Wide mouthpart called a labium
Suction tube	Proboscis
Containers for substances to break down food	Digestive juices gland
Antenna extensions for gathering information	Antennae sense food and enemies
Multiple visual receptors	Compound eyes
Individual visual receptor pointing in a specific direction	One part of whole eye
Microchip system	Nerve center called a ganglion, similar to a simple brain
Pivotal hinge system to allow maximum movement	Wing muscles
Strut supports for wings	Tubular veins containing blood

The real animal:
A fly's head contains the eyes and mouth. The mid-section, or thorax, has three pairs of jointed legs and a pair of wings. A hind section, the abdomen, holds all the other body organs. Most of the body is covered with tiny hairs. The outer skin, or cuticle, is stiff and shell-like and forms an outer skeleton, or exoskeleton.

House flies have a reputation for being filthy, and they are. Because they walk on their food and aren't picky about what they eat, they often carry decaying material and bacteria from meal to meal.

15-Dec-09 1:00 PM

Robot Zoo Interactives (2,500 scaled version)

Mike Kempf — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Chameleon

1. Keep an Eye on You

The robot model of a chameleon's head shows how the real reptile views the world: through eyes that work independently. As visitors move each of the robot's eyes with a joystick, they can see on two color monitors the separate images the robot's eyes "see."

2. Tongue Gun

Triggering the Tongue Gun demonstrates how a real chameleon shoots out its long, sticky-tipped tongue to reel in a meal. Sharpshooters use a joystick to aim the head of a robot chameleon, then press a button to fire its long tongue at one of several insect targets.

3. Hide and Seek

Visitors can blend in like a chameleon. Wearing a coat that matches a wall in the background, visitors can watch themselves appear and disappear on a video monitor as they move back and forth in front of the wall.

Platypus

4. Mister Platypus

Visitors of all ages can build a platypus or their own whimsical creature by adding different animal parts, such as an alligator's tail or an elephant's trunk, to the model of a platypus' body.

5. Robot Body Shop

Drum mounted machine parts allow visitors to manipulate some of the mechanical devices used to construct the robots, such as hinges, pumps, springs and shock absorbers.

Housefly

6. Eye to Eye

Visitors can stand behind a 5-foot-tall cutout of a housefly and get a fly's-eye view through two 19-inch compound eyes. A real housefly can't see fine details unless it's up close, but its eyes (each with about 4,000 six-sided lenses) can detect even the slightest movement in all directions.

7. Swat the Fly

This activity tests participants' reaction time (about one-twelfth as fast as a housefly's). Visitors use their hands to "swat" the backlit image of each fly as it randomly flashes.

8. Sticky Feet

Visitors wearing special hand and kneepads can try to stick like flies to a sloping surface.

15-Dec-09 1:00 PM

Traveling exhibit reveals biomechanics of robot animal

Mike Kempf — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Children across the nation can explore the biomechanics of complex animal robots to discover how real animals work, thanks to a touring exhibit, “The Robot Zoo.” The exhibit is touring major science and natural-history museums throughout North America and Europe.

The 5,000-square-foot exhibit reveals the magic of nature as a master engineer. Eight robot animals and more than a dozen hands-on activities illustrate fascinating real-life characteristics, such as how a chameleon changes colors, a giant squid propels itself and a fly walks on the ceiling.

The larger-than-life-size animated robots include a chameleon, a rhinoceros, a giant squid with 18-foot tentacles and a platypus. Also featured are a house fly with a 10-foot wingspread, a grasshopper, a bat and a giraffe whose head and neck alone stretch 9 feet tall.

Machinery in the robot animals simulates the body parts of their real-life counterparts. In the robot animals, muscles become pistons, intestines become filtering pipes and brains become computers.

Other sensory activities include “Swat the Fly,” a test of the visitor’s reaction time (one-twelfth as fast as a house fly’s), and “Sticky Feet,” where visitors wearing special hand and knee pads can try to stick like flies to a sloped surface. Triggering the “Tongue Gun” demonstrates how a real chameleon shoots out its long, sticky-tipped tongue to reel in a meal.

Animation in the robots imitates real-life behaviors. The robot chameleon rocks back and forth as it turns its head, looks around and fires its tongue at its insect prey. The front legs of the platypus swim in breaststroke style while the tail moves up and down. The tentacles of the giant squid grip a struggling fish, while the squid’s beak-like mouth opens to reveal a spinning food grinder.

The exhibit is based on the book “The Robot Zoo” which was conceived, edited and designed by Marshall Editions of London, England.

18-Nov-09 1:00 PM

Robot Zoo Fact Sheet (5,000 sf version)

Mike Kempf — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Exhibit Title:

"The Robot Zoo"

A traveling children's exhibit that reveals the biomechanics of giant robot animals to illustrate how real animals work.

Size:

5,000 square feet

Itinerary:

The exhibit is currently touring science and natural-history museums and zoos in North America and Europe.

Highlights:

Eight giant robot animals and more than a dozen hands-on activities reveal the magic of nature as a master engineer.

Robot Body Shop - As an introduction to the exhibit, drum-mounted machine parts allow visitors to manipulate some of the mechanical devices they will see used to construct the robots, such as hinges, pumps, springs and shock absorbers.
Chameleon Activity Stations - Visitors get to control the giant robotic chameleon. At the three different stations, one can change its color, move its body, head, eyes and tongue. Chameleons change color for two reasons, to hide from an enemy or to attract or scare another chameleon.
Tongue Gun - Triggering a joystick on the model of a robot chameleon’s head fires a long tongue at insect targets to show how the reptile catches food.
Hide and Seek - Children can blend in like a chameleon. Wearing a coat that matches a wall in the background, kids can watch themselves appear and disappear on a video monitor.
Race a Squid - Visitors can pump air into a squid model and propel it up a tube to simulate the high-speed swim of a giant squid. Visitors will enjoy racing these four squids to the finish line. The real creature sucks water into its body and squirts the water out a small tube under its head, shooting away backwards at up 20 miles per hour.
Hear’s Seeing You - When visitors aim the robot bat’s head at insect targets, a digital display reveals the distance to each bug to demonstrate echolocation—a bat’s sonar system for hunting prey at night.
Swat the Fly - This activity tests participants’ reaction time (about one-twelfth as fast a house fly’s). Visitors use their hands to “swat” each fly as it lights up.
Sticky Feet - Visitors wearing special hand pads can try to stick like flies to a sloping surface.

Robot Animals:

Chameleon (10’ long)

Rhinoceros (9’ long)

Giant squid (6’ long, 18’ tentacles)

Platypus (9’ long)

House fly (6’ long, 10’ wingspread)

Grasshopper (9’ long)

Giraffe (shown head and neck, 9’ tall)

Bat (6’ head to tail)

18-Nov-09 1:00 PM

Interactives - Robot Zoo (5,000 sf version)

Mike Kempf — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:00:00 GMT

RHINOCEROUS

Robot Body Shop - As an introduction to the exhibit, drum-mounted machine parts allow visitors to manipulate some of the mechanical devices they will see used to construct the robots, such as hinges, pumps, springs and shock absorbers.

CHAMELEON

Chameleon Activity Stations - Visitors get to control the giant robotic chameleon. At the three different stations, one can change its color, move its body, head, eyes and tongue. Chameleons change color for two reasons, to hide from an enemy or to attract or scare another chameleon.

Keep an Eye on You - The robot model of a chameleon’s head shows how the real reptile views the world: through eyes that work independently. As visitors move each of the robot’s eyes with a joystick, they can see on two color monitors the separate images the robot’s eyes “see.”

Tongue Gun - Triggering the Tongue Gun demonstrates how a real chameleon shoots out its long, sticky-tipped tongue to reel in a meal. Sharpshooters use a joystick to aim the head of a robot chameleon, then press a button to fire its long tongue at one of several insect targets.

Hide and Seek - Children can blend in like a chameleon. Wearing a coat that matches a wall in the background, kids can watch themselves appear and disappear on a video monitor as they move back and forth in front of the wall.

PLATYPUS

Mister Platypus - Children of all ages can build a platypus or their own whimsical creature by adding different animal parts, such as an alligator’s tail or an elephant’s trunk, to the model of a platypus’ body.

BAT

Hear’s Seeing You! - This activity demonstrates echolocation--a bat’s sonar system for hunting prey at night. When visitors aim a robot bat’s head at insect targets, a digital display reveals the distance to each bug.

Hang Time - With a timer children try to see how long they can hang like a bat by their hands from an overhead bar.

GIANT SQUID

Jet Propelled - All ages can pump air into a squid model and propel it up a tube to simulate the high-speed swim of a giant squid. The real creature sucks water into its body and squirts the water out a small tube under its head, shooting away backwards at up to 20 miles per hour.

Stuck on You - To understand what a giant squid does with its suckers, kids can throw rubber sucker balls at a board and play with other objects that stick, such as bathroom plungers and gloves covered with sucker pads.

HOUSE FLY

Eye to Eye - Visitors can stand behind a 5-foot-tall cutout of a house fly and get a fly’s-eye view through two 19-inch compound eyes. A real house fly can’t see fine details unless it’s up close, but its eyes (each with about 4,000 six-sided lenses) can detect even the slightest movement in all directions.

Swat the Fly - This activity tests participants’ reaction time (about one-twelfth as fast as a house fly’s). Children use their hands to “swat” the backlit image of each fly as it randomly flashes.

Sticky Feet - Kids wearing special hand pads can try to stick like flies to a sloping surface.

GRASSHOPPER

TORTOISE (no robot counterpart)

Tortoise Track - Even the youngest children can try on a tortoise shell and see how it feels to “race” like a turtle around a track. Wearing numbered shells, other kids can join in a race to the finish line.

16-Nov-09 1:00 PM

MICROBES: Invisible Invaders ... Amazing Allies ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

Mike Kempf — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Exhibit Sections

Exhibit content is organized into 10 sections:
1)    Paris crypt
2)    Egyptian tomb
3)    Aztec Ruins
4)    Main Street North America
5)    Microbe TV
6)    Microbial Universe
7)    Defenders of the Castle
8)    Good Deeds
9)    Microbial Superhighway
10) New Frontiers

In the first four sections, the exhibit examines the history of some of mankind’s most devastating diseases.

1) Paris Crypt
Dr. Beak presented in a skull-filled catacomb below Paris describes the bubonic plague which killed about 56 million Europeans from 1340 to 1420. On display is a recreation of a beaked mask thought to protect people from the plague, which they believed was caused by poison gas rising from the Earth.

2) Egyptian Tomb
A photo of the unwrapped mummy of Ramses V shows pockmarks from the smallpox virus that attacked and probably killed Egypt’s ruler, who died around 1151 B.C. The mural also features a photograph of an Egyptian stone tablet which provided the first pictorial record of polio.

3) Aztec Ruins
An engaging, colorful mural depicts figurines dating from before 750 A.D. showing evidence of diseases from which the peoples of Central American must have suffered. Since diseases such as leprosy and small pox were not present in Central America when these figurines were made, they suggest that other disfiguring diseases attacked the peoples of what is now Mexico.

4) Main Street North America
This section describes epidemics of polio, flu and tuberculosis striking close to home. A three-minute video presentation describes the discovery of penicillin in 1928 and the breakthrough of mass production as a “wonder drug” during World War II.

5) Microbe TV
Microbe Man, the exhibit’s cartoon super-hero and exhibit guide, and VJ Sabrina host a 90-second animated video that illustrates just how miniscule microbes really are.

6) Microbial Universe
Visitors can explore a new cosmos, the hidden universe of microbes. Six colorful, volumetric holograms floating in space present different microbes, including HIV (AIDS) and Ebola, as three-dimensional models. Images from an electron microscope and large-view light microscope offer rare, close-up views of real microbes such as rabies and Ebola.

7) Defenders of the Castle
Exhibit-goers discover how harmful microbes invade human bodies and how humans fight back. Hands-on displays demonstrate how people fight infection both with the body’s natural defenses and with antibiotic defenses to prevent and treat infectious disease. Interactive displays include a fortified castle that illustrates our dependence upon our hair, skin and even mucous (yuck!) to protect us from disease-causing microbes.

8) Good Deeds
This area offers a more light-hearted look at the beneficial and essential roles microbes play. Humorous narratives by talking, cartoon-like microbes relate how microbes affect the everyday fare people cook and eat. Players of the Gobble De Goop video game can guide munching microbes as they gobble up an oil spill. The Microbe Quiz Show, an interactive TV program hosted by Microbe Man, invites visitors to a true-false test of their microbial knowledge.

9) Microbial Superhighway
Visitors learn how modern transportation, overcrowding and pollution foster the spread of infectious disease around the world. Hot Zones, featuring brilliant and colorful images of microbes taken using an electron microscopy, illustrates the global distribution of age-old and emerging diseases.

10) New Frontiers
A video presentation describes advances in medical research, including gene therapy--delivering therapeutic genes to cells--and the creation of synthetic drugs.

Interactive Displays

Interactive displays located throughout the exhibit offer children of all ages hands-on discovery of scientific concepts.

1) Simulated Electron Microscope (Microbial Universe)
Visitors get a rare view of real viruses such as HIV {4 millionths of an inch (0.0001 mm) across} as they would appear through an electron microscope--a microscope of extremely high power.

2) Large-view Microscope (Microbial Universe)
Exhibit-goers can peer through a large-view microscope that reflects light off an object to magnify the image, observing fungi, protozoa and bacteria as they appear 250 times larger than life.

3) Lines of Defense (Body of Disease)
A foosball-style game demonstrates the body’s natural lines of defense against infectious disease.

4) Microbe Quiz Show (Good Deeds)
Microbe Man, a cartoon super-hero and exhibit guide, hosts this interactive television game show. Players can test their microbial knowledge with a series of true-false questions.

5) Gobble De Goop (Good Deeds)
In this video game, visitors use a joystick to guide munching microbes as they gobble up an oil spill.

6) Defenders of the Castle
In this interactive display, visitors learn about our dependence upon our hair, skin and even mucous (yuck!) to protect us from disease-causing microbes trying to invade our bodies through our nose, mouth and other orifices.

7) Talking Good-Guy Microbes (Good Deeds)
Hand-held phones allow visitors to hear humorous narratives by talking, cartoon-like microbes. These microbial “good guys” describe examples of microbes at work in the kitchen making cheese, helping bread rise and making compost.

8) Hot Zone Map (Microbial Superhighway)
An interactive display illustrates the global distribution of age-old and emerging diseases featuring brilliant and colorful images of microbes taken using an electron microscopy.

2-Sep-09 3:00 PM

Microbes: Invisible Invaders... Amazing Allies - FACT SHEET

Mike Kempf — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:00:00 GMT

WHAT: “Microbes: Invisible Invaders ... Amazing Allies”
An interactive, high-tech, children’s exhibit traveling to 15 North American cities

NATIONAL SPONSORS: Pfizer Inc, produced by Evergreen Exhibitions in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health.

PURPOSE: To take the mystery out of “killer” microbes. The exhibit explores what microbes are (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa--”germs” to most people), what they look like, the history of infectious disease, emerging diseases and how researchers and individuals fight infectious disease worldwide.

SECTIONS: 1) Paris crypt, 2) Egyptian tomb, 3) Aztec ruins, 4) Early 1900s Main Street North America, 5) Microbe TV, 6) Microbial Universe, 7) Body of Disease, 8) Good Deeds, 9) Microbial Superhighway, 10) New Frontiers

EXHIBIT SIZE: 3,000 square feet

POINTS OF INTEREST:

Healer in Crypt - In the replica of a skull- and bone-filled Paris catacomb,
a guide describes the bubonic plague in the year 1400 A.D. His beaked mask contains flowers and herbs thought to protect people from the deadly disease they believed was caused by poison air rising up from the earth.

Ramses Mummy - A photo of the unwrapped mummy of Ramses shows pockmarks from the smallpox virus, which attacked Ramses and probably killed him in 1151 B.C.

Aztec Ruins - An engaging, colorful mural depicts figurines dating from before 750 A.D. showing evidence of diseases from which the peoples of Central American must have suffered. Since diseases such as leprosy and small pox were not present in Central America when these figurines were made, they suggest that other disfiguring diseases attacked the peoples of what is now Mexico.

Microbial Universe - Visitors can explore a new cosmos, the hidden universe of microbes. Six colorful, volumetric holograms floating in space present different microbes, including HIV (AIDS) and Ebola, as three-dimensional models. Images from an electron microscope and large-view light microscope offer rare, close-up views of real microbes such as rabies and Ebola.

Meet a Bug - Colorful, volumetric projections present six microbes, including HIV (AIDS) and rubella, as three-dimensional sculptures.

Microbe Quiz Show - This interactive television game show tests participants’ new-found knowledge with a true-false quiz.

Gobble De Goop - Players of this video game guide munching microbes as they gobble up an oil spill.

2-Sep-09 3:00 PM

MICROBES: Invisible Invaders ... Amazing Allies

Mike Kempf — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:00:00 GMT

A traveling exhibition is taking children on an interactive journey through the hidden world of microbes. "Microbes: Invisible Invaders ... Amazing Allies" uncovers a mysterious universe of microscopic organisms--from those that sustain life on Earth to those that threaten our health and even our existence.

The interactive, exhibit reveals what microbes are (bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa--"germs" to most people), explores a history of infectious diseases and shows how researchers and individuals fight infection worldwide.

Kid-friendly technology highlights hands-on activities. In addition to interactive displays featuring virtual reality and 3-D animation, theatrical sets and special effects bring microbes to life.

The exhibit is sponsored by Pfizer Inc and produced by Evergreen Exhibitions in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

"This exhibit separates fact from fiction about microbes," said C.L. Clemente, Pfizer Inc senior vice president-corporate affairs. "By understanding how microbes can hurt us and also how they help us, families can make smarter choices about their health and learn about the strides we're making in research to stay one step ahead."

The smallest forms of life on Earth are microbes. Although microbes have existed for millions of years, possibly billions, their presence was not detected until the 17th Century. In 1683, Dutch merchant Antony van Leeuwenhoek, who made microscopes as a hobby, detected "wee animalcules" in scrapings from his teeth. More than 200 years would pass before scientists would establish the relationship between microbes and disease.

In 1928, when bacteriologist Alexander Fleming discovered the germ-killing properties of the mold penicillium, he knew it could have profound medical value. But he couldn't make enough of the antibiotic he dubbed "penicillin" to test on even one human, so the discovery languished. During World War II researchers at a company named Pfizer perfected the technology to mass-produce penicillin.

According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a component of the NIH, infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide and the third leading killer of North Americans. More than 30 newly recognized infectious diseases and syndromes have emerged in the last two decades alone. Another challenge has been the development of drug-resistant strains of many common infections, making them increasingly difficult to treat and requiring ongoing medical research.

"As the statistics demonstrate, infectious diseases continue to be a serious problem throughout the world," said John R. La Montagne, Ph.D., director of NIAID's Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. "This exhibit will help people understand how medical research can contribute to the development of new treatments and vaccines. We hope the exhibit will also inspire the next generation of medical researchers."

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures and markets leading prescription medicines, for humans and animals, and many of the world's best-known consumer products.

NIAID is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIAID conducts and supports research to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as HIV disease and other sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, asthma and allergies. NIH is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

2-Sep-09 2:00 PM

Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats Bat Exhibit Turns Myths Upside-Down

Mike Kempf — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:00:00 GMT

"Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats," a touring museum exhibition produced by Evergreen Exhibitions, is bringing the mystery surrounding bats out of the dark.

The 2,500 square foot exhibition dispels popular misconceptions about bats, describes their ecological importance and gives visitors an appreciation of the true wonders of the bat world. The exhibit includes special effects, multi-sensory interactive displays, a Gothic castle and environmentally lifelike settings.

Dr. Merlin Tuttle, founder of Bat Conservation International (BCI), serves as scientific consultant. BCI is recognized as the international leader in conservation and education initiatives that protect bats and their habitats.

A Neo-Gothic portal opens the way into the exhibit. The adjacent home of the 18th-century bat enthusiast walks visitors through centuries of mythic representations of bats by different cultures.

A transitional area with bat portrait photography and a giant-screen video introduces visitors to the real world of bats as diverse, beneficial mammals with fascinating skills and extraordinary abilities.

A hands-on display relates to the evening activities of bats, such as echolocation (sonar ability), pollination, diet and flight. For example, in a demonstration of echolocation, visitors can use a joystick to maneuver a bat model in search of food using a laser to simulate sonar. In a visit to a bat nursery, visitors learn how caring bat mothers are by using sound to help the mother bat find her baby.

This exhibit is based on the highly successful 5,000-square-foot version of Masters of the Night, which has stunned audiences throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe. Evergreen Exhibitions created the smaller exhibit in response to the overwhelming demand from smaller markets wishing to bring this popular exhibit to their communities.

1-Sep-09 2:00 PM

INTERACTIVES (2,500 Square Feet)

Mike Kempf — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:00:00 GMT

1. Bats Around the World
Approximately 1,000 kinds of bats live around the world. Backlit sections of this world map reveal amazing facts about six of these species and the range of their habitats worldwide.

2. “Bat Prints”
Visitors make crayon rubbings of their favorite bats from six metal etched plates mounted on a hexagonal tabletop.

3. “Echo, Echo, Echo”
Visitors learn about bats’ sonar system, called echolocation, by calling down two cave shafts. Distance can be distinguished by the delays in the returning echoes of their voices. The deep shaft gives a long delay in the echo, with less delay for the echo in the shorter shaft.

4. “I’m All Ears”
Visitors can experience sound through a bat’s ears. The visitor’s head fits between two giant bat ears (nearly 20 times actual size) which collect the ambient room noise. The visitor can tilt the framework up and down, aiming at different parts of the room.

5. “The Nursery Visit”
One of the bat’s most fascinating mammalian characteristics is learned in this visit to a crowded bat roost. A mother bat can find her baby in a nursery roost of more than 500 pups per square foot. Visitors use sound to help the mother bat find her pup by its unique cry.

6. “Feast & Flight”
This interactive video exhibit uses moving footage of a bat flight acrobatics, feeding behaviors, and food sources. Visitors can select a subject, freeze a frame, and slow down the visual images.

7. “The Importance of Being Bats”
This exhibit illustrates the ecological importance of bats to pollination, seed dispersal and insect control. Interlinked displays rotate to reveal the environmental results of ecosystems with and without bats.

8. “One Night’s Meal”
By estimating and measuring foods for fruit- and insect-eating bats, visitors learn about the huge appetites of bats relative to their weight. Models of bats and plastic insects, fruit and nectar can be weighed in a balance scale. Just how much does a bat eat in one night?

9. "Where Bats Live"
These five dioramas display bats in their many hiding places in various natural habitats. Visitors are challenged to see how many bats they can find hidden in these lifelike settings.

10. Large video
Bat flight, diversity and rare beauty are depicted in larger-than-life video. Visitors see the real world of bats with spectacular video footage via a 60-inch rear-screen projection unit.

1-Sep-09 2:00 PM

Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats FACT SHEET (2,500 Square Feet)

Mike Kempf — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:00:00 GMT

EXHIBIT TITLE: "Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats"

EXHIBIT PRODUCER: Evergreen Exhibitions, San Antonio, TX

HIGHLIGHTS: "Masters of the Night" is a touring museum/zoo exhibit featuring special effects, interactive displays, and a Gothic castle.
An 18th-century Neo-Gothic portal leading into the exhibit provides examples of folklore and myths.
Real-life behaviors such as roosting and hibernation, bat fossils, guano, hands-on sensory activities, baby bat nursery, simulated emergence of bats from cave at dusk.
Hands-on activities relating to echolocation (sonar ability), pollination, diet, flight and conservation..

PURPOSE: A fun learning experience which dispels the myths about bats, describes their ecological importance and provides an understanding of the world's most misunderstood animal.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Educators' activity books are available for pre-kindergarten through 8th-grade groups. Activity books are available when tours are scheduled through the museum.

1-Sep-09 2:00 PM

“Space: A Journey to Our Future” Opens Father’s Day Weekend

Mike Kempf — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:15:00 GMT

Media only:

Isabel Lara (202) 633-2374

Sonja Alexander (202) 358-1761

Media Web site:

http://newsdesk.si.edu

“Space: A Journey to Our Future” Opens Father’s Day Weekend

at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum

Visitors will experience the thrill of living in a Lunar Base Camp and planning their own mission to Mars without leaving D.C. at the National Air and Space Museum’s new exhibit. “Space: A Journey to Our Future” opens Saturday, June 14, just in time for children to take their Dads on an unforgettable Father’s Day celebration. The exhibit, on view at the museum through Jan. 11, 2009, highlights current projects in space exploration—satellites, space telescopes, living in space—and offers a glimpse to the future of human space travel.

“This exhibition uses the latest technology in museum interactives to introduce our visitors to space exploration,” museum director Gen. J.R. “Jack” Dailey said. “We hope that the hands-on activities in ‘Space: A Journey to Our Future’ will inspire visitors to learn about the history of the space program and become involved in the future of space exploration. The exhibition is a fitting commemoration of the 50th anniversary of NASA.”

“We hope this exhibit will help inspire the next generation of dreamers and explorers,” said Joyce L. Winterton, NASA’s Assistant Administrator for Education. “We want to ignite the desire for discovery in the youth who will be our next pioneers to explore the galaxy.”

Highlights of “Space: A Journey to Our Future” include a Lunar Habitat, where visitors can experience what it would be like to live and work on the Moon; an up-close look at NASA’s new Constellation Program with a model of the Ares I launch vehicle and the Orion crew capsule, the next generation of human spacecraft; an illustrated timeline of NASA’s 50 years of space exploration; and the multimedia 360-degree “Future Theatre.” This traveling exhibit developed by Evergreen Exhibitions is presented at the National Air and Space Museum courtesy of NASA, Lockheed Martin and General Motors.

The National Air and Space Museum building on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is located at Sixth Street and Independence Avenue S.W. The museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, Va., near Washington Dulles International Airport. Both facilities are open daily from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. (Closed Dec. 25) Admission is free, but there is a $12 fee for parking at the Udvar-Hazy center.

5-Mar-09 3:15 PM

Nearly 4 million visit SPACE at Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, where it appeared in conjunction with NASA's 50th anniversary celebration

Mike Kempf — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Space: A Journey to Our Future appeared at Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum from June 2008 through January 2009, one of the featured events celebrating NASA’s 50^th anniversary in the nation’s capital. 3.8 million visitors were reported to attend the exhibit.

Special content and displays, along with near-real-time updates, were presented in the exhibit by Evergreen in cooperation with a combined team of NASA and NASM content developers and scientists, including

A special timeline marking milestone events in NASA’s history
Models of the planned Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle and Ares V Cargo Launch Vehicle, both part of the Constellation Program to send human explorers back to the moon, and then onward to Mars and other destinations in the solar system
A large scale display of the planned Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, the new spacecraft that will transport astronauts
Updates throughout the exhibit to reflect the very latest future plans and vision for space exploration
Special added NASA interactives titled Build Your Own Spacecraft, NASA Home and City, and Return to Camelot
New video animations: Orion Mission and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
Primers and displays on the Constellation Program, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, the James Webb Space Telescope, SOFIA and more

The exhibition was one part of a broader schedule of events and activities planned around NASA’s 50^th anniversary celebration.

A special event marked the exhibit’s opening, featuring Christopher Scolese, Acting Administrator for NASA; General John R. Dailey, director of the National Air and Space Museum; Kenneth W. Cole, Vice President, Global Public Policy and Government Relations for General Motors; Kenneth S. Reightler, Jr., Vice President, NASA Program Integration, Lockheed Martin Space Systems; and Ronald D. Dittemore, president of ATK Launch Systems.

Read the release

Learn more about NASA's 50th Anniversary celebration

(Christopher Scolese, Acting Administrator for NASA, speaking at the opening reception)

(Model of Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, planned by NASA)

(Models of planned Ares I and Ares V vehicles, part of the Constellation program)

5-Mar-09 2:00 PM

Spokespeople -- Vatican Splendors from Saint Peter's Basilica, The Vatican Museums and The Swiss Guard

Mike Kempf — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:00:00 GMT

EXHIBITION CURATOR

Monsignor Roberto Zagnoli is an Italian priest from Ravenna who has worked at the Vatican for fourteen years. As Curator of the Vatican Museums, Monsignor Zagnoli carefully selected objects from the participating Vatican agencies and organized them to tell the 2000-year history covered by the exhibition and commemorated in the exhibition guide book he co-wrote. Zagnoli also works for Monsignor Guido Marini as advisor to the Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff where he manages the restoration and maintenance of the liturgical vessels and vestments of the Papal Sacristy. Monsignor Zagnoli teaches Communications at the Papal University of Santa Croce in Rome.

CONSULTANTS TO THE EXHIBITION

Brother Charles Hilken, F.S.C., M.S.L., Ph. D., is professor and chair of the Department of History at Saint Mary’s College of California. Trained as a medieval historian with special emphasis on manuscript studies, he has twice been elected a research fellow of the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies in Toronto. He has authored two books, including “Memory and Community in Southern Medieval Italy: The History, Chapter Book, and Necrology of Santa Maria del Gualdo Mazzocca,” which was released in 2008. Brother Charles was the historical consultant for a film documentary on the Vatican starring the late Sir Peter Ustinov, and for a previous exhibition, he helped evaluate and select never-before-exhibited objects from the papal sacristy.

Peter Radetsky, Ph.D. is the content developer and writer of this exhibition. Formerly a contributing editor of “Discover Magazine” and teacher at the University of California, Santa Cruz, he has written seven books, more than 100 articles for national magazines and newspapers, television and video scripts, and more than a dozen museum exhibitions. He has collaborated on numerous projects with Evergreen Exhibitions (formerly BBH Exhibits, Inc.) for more than 10 years.

EVERGREEN EXHIBITIONS

Anne Kinsey is vice president of exhibitions of Evergreen Exhibitions. She oversees the design, production and sales of exhibitions and events. She has more than 12 years of experience in the production of touring and permanent attractions. She graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in Production and English Textual Studies.

Mark Greenberg leads Evergreen Exhibitions as its principal shareholder and president, overseeing more than 15 museum exhibits that explore science, art and culture. Greenberg acquired the company from Clear Channel Exhibitions, where he also served as its president. Prior to that, he was general manager of BBH Exhibits, Inc., a private company serving the museum community that had merged with Clear Channel Exhibitions in 2001. Before joining BBH, Greenberg served in leadership roles with Miller Publishing Group LLC, The Walt Disney Company and Time Inc. Magazines.

MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Nina Archabal joined the Minnesota Historical Society in 1977 and was appointed Director and State Historic Preservation Officer in 1987. During Archabal’s tenure, the Society developed the Minnesota History Center as the state’s history museum and library in St. Paul, and Mill City Museum, a milling museum and education center constructed within the ruin of the National Landmark Washburn A Mill in Minneapolis. Archabal also oversees a statewide network of historic sites and museums. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Harvard University, and her Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota.

Dan Spock is the Director of the Minnesota History Center Museum. Over the course of his 25-year museum career Spock has worked as an exhibit designer, an exhibit developer and a program administrator. During nine years as head of exhibitions at MHS, Spock’s team produced dozens of large and small exhibitions, many of which received national recognition. More recently, MHS has pursued both hosting and developing traveling history exhibits of national and international scope. Spock has a BA in Art from Antioch College.

Media Contacts:

Amanda Hooper

Risdall McKinney Public Relations

Phone: 651-286-6776

E-mail:Amanda@risdall.com

Jessica Kohen

Minnesota Historical Society

Phone: 651-259-3148

E-mail:Jessica.kohen@mnhs.org

9-Oct-08 3:00 PM

Photo Sheet -- Vatican Splendors from Saint Peter's Basilica, The Vatican Museums and The Swiss Guard

Mike Kempf — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Media Contacts:

Amanda Hooper

Risdall McKinney Public Relations

Phone: 651-286-6776

E-mail:Amanda@risdall.com

Jessica Kohen

Minnesota Historical Society

Phone: 651-259-3148

E-mail:Jessica.kohen@mnhs.org

These photo descriptions are available online at http://events.mnhs.org/media

9-Oct-08 3:00 PM

Fact Sheet about Vatican Splendors in St. Paul

Mike Kempf — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:00:00 GMT

FACT SHEET

WHAT: One of the largest collections of art, documents and historically significant objects from the Vatican ever to tour North America is coming to St. Paul. The Minnesota History Center hosts “Vatican Splendors from Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Swiss Guard” beginning Sept. 27, 2008. The exhibition features approximately 200 rare works of art and historically significant objects, many of which have never left the Vatican. Taken together these works explore how the papacy has influenced – and been influenced by – the world throughout the centuries.

St. Paul is one of only three U.S. cities to host “Vatican Splendors.” Highlights of the exhibition include Michelangelo's compass and tools used in the building of the Sistine Chapel; works by Bernini, Giotto, Guercino and others; artwork dating back to the third century; venerated relics (bone fragments) of Saint Peter; the pastoral staff of Pope John Paul II and items from the election of Pope Benedict XVI, including election ballots, a ceremonial vestment and an actual white smoke cartridge used to announce the election of the pope.

WHEN: Vatican Splendors from Saint Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Swiss Guard opens Sept. 27, 2008, for a limited, exclusive engagement. Tickets go on sale Aug. 7.

Hours for “Vatican Splendors” will be Mondays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.vaticansplendors.com

WHERE: The Minnesota History Center is located at 345 Kellogg Boulevard West on the western edge of downtown St. Paul. For directions and parking instructions, visit www.mnhs.org/historycenter/directions.

TICKETS: Tickets are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and $13 for children (age 6-12). Children 5 and under are free with adult ticket purchase. Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations including Macy’s, or by phone at 651-989-5151. Tickets may also be purchased at the Minnesota History Center box office located at 345 Kellogg Boulevard West in St. Paul. Special group discount for 15+ tickets is available by calling 612-373-5665. School groups can call 651-259-3400. Special themed events can be booked by calling 651-259-3030 or E-mailing specialevents@mnhs.org call 1-877-2VATICAN (1-877-282-8422); or visit www.vaticansplendors.com

Media Contacts:

Amanda Hooper

Risdall McKinney Public Relations

Phone: 651-286-6776

E-mail:Amanda@risdall.com

or

Jessica Kohen

Minnesota Historical Society

Phone: 651-259-3148

E-mail:Jessica.kohen@mnhs.org

These photo descriptions are available online at http://events.mnhs.org/media

9-Oct-08 3:00 PM