Category Archives: Science

Little Rock Look Back: Museum of Discovery opens in River Market

Posted on by

Museum of Discovery Logo when it opened in 1998

Founded in 1927 as the Arkansas Museum of Natural History and Antiquities in a downtown storefront, by 1997, the museum had been located in at least two other spots and had several different names.

On February 21, 1998, it reopened as the Museum of Discovery in its new location in the recently launched River Market district.  It occupied space on the first floor and basement of the Museum Center building (formerly the Terminal building the erstwhile train station which later was used for printing the Arkansas Democrat.)

The new name and new space reflected a greater emphasis on the science aspect of the museum’s mission.  It featured many hands on and interactive exhibits.

The museum spent one-third of its $10.6 million cost on exhibits.  Of the $10.2 million pledged for the museum, 47 percent — or about $4 million — came from a half-cent city sales tax approved by voters about five years ago. Another 14 percent came from foundations and 2 percent from private organizations and individuals. The remaining 37 percent came from corporations, sometimes in connection with specific exhibits.

Following a February 20, 1998, preview party, the official grand opening was held on February 21, 1998.

The previous museum space (inside the Arsenal building in MacArthur Park) occupied 14,000 square feet, 8,000 of which was display space. After the move, the museum had 35,000 square feet of display space.

UA Little Rock Downtown’s Inaugural Lecture features Chancellor Andrew Rogerson

Posted on by

The UA Little Rock Downtown Campus will have evening lectures. The inaugural one will be tonight and features Chancellor Andrew Rogerson discussing “Tales of a Wandering Microbiologist.”

Before becoming chancellor of UA Little Rock, Andrew Rogerson spent 30 years as a researcher and professor in eight universities and two government laboratories.

Fascinated by the hidden, and continually engaged in the possibilities of the invisible, Dr. Rogerson has worked on a diverse range of research projects all united by the fact they have involved microbes. Rogerson’s research was funded by various federal agencies including the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

This fun lecture requires no prior knowledge of science.

Enjoy a rare opportunity to discover the enthralling life of microbes through the life’s work of UA Little Rock’s chancellor.

The program will begin at 6pm at the UA Little Rock Downtown Campus.

Macaws predict arrival of Spring today at Little Rock Zoo

Posted on by

Don’t watch a groundhog look for his shadow, experience the first EVER public flight of the Little Rock Zoo’s macaws!

The newest addition to the our Zoo Program, Zoo staff have been training them for public flight.

These beautiful birds will let Little Rock know if it will experience more winter by flying to our Ice Queen or if citizens should get ready for warmer weather by flying to our Princess of Fire.

Saturday February 2, 2019, at 11am at the Little Rock Zoo in Café Africa.

Regular admission to the Zoo applies.

2019 Museum of Discovery Science After Dark starts with Troopers vs. Trekkies

Posted on by

It’s a new year and the Museum of Discovery is stirring the pot by hosting an event that addresses one of the greatest arguments of all time – an argument that has allies in every corner of the galaxy.

On Thursday, January 31 from 6pm to 9pm, come to the Museum of Discovery for their first Science After Dark of 2019 and take part in “Troopers vs. Trekkies”

Whether you’re boldly going where no man has gone before or you’re already in a galaxy far, far away, you’ve probably heard the age-old debate about which of science fiction’s two biggest franchises is better.

Is it Star Wars?

Is it Star Trek?

Is the Museum crazy for doing this?

Science After Dark is for ages 21 and up. Tickets are $10 or free for members.

The 2019 presenting sponsor is Fassler Hall.  Sponsors are Stone’s Throw Brewing and Rock Town Distillery.

Who says the Museum of Discovery is only for kids?!? Not the hundreds of 21-and-older science-and-fun lovers who attend Science After Dark each month. Because, science is fun … at any age! Science After Dark provides visitors the opportunity to have fun and learn about science in a unique setting. Museum educators pick a science-related topic and build an entertaining, interactive evening around it. You never know what will sprout, pop, fizzle, or glow. We invite you to discover the science of having fun. Museum partners are there to serve pizza, and a full bar from craft beer to wine to cocktails is available. And beyond the themed activities each month, Science After Dark admission ($10, free for members) includes access to all museum galleries and our 90-plus hands-on, interactive exhibits.

STAR WARS Science today at the Museum of Discovery

Posted on by

The Force will be strong today (Saturday, January 19) in the River Market district as the Museum of Discovery presents Star Wars Science.  It is from 10am to 3pm.

Bring your little Jedi for a day of Star Wars Science and

  • Meet Star Wars characters (501st Legion)
  • Use “The Force” to move objects
  • Be amazed in the Star Wars Science shows at 10:30 a.m.; 11:30 a.m.; 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
  • Witness Sith Lightning Tesla Shows at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
  • Learn coding, but not just any form of coding – Star Wars coding!
  • See how George Lucas created some Star Wars scenes by using stop motion animation and make your own movie magic
  • Build LEGO dioramas
  • Make Sith lightning
  • Guide your BB-8 through a magnetic maze
  • Make dry ice cryo hovercrafts
  • Get down with droid disco dancing
  • Explore the Glow Lab
  • Play with shadow and light to make moving works of art

Star Wars Science is included in regular museum admission or free for museum members.  For non-members, tickets can be purchased here.

Tonight at 7, ACANSA presents EINSTEIN!

Posted on by

ACANSA does more than just present the annual festival in September. They are kicking off their 2019 programming with the one man play Einstein! ~ Celebrating 100 Years of General Relativity

This award-winning one-man show has it all: as dramatic as it is funny, as uplifting as it is contemplative, Albert Einstein comes to life before your very eyes.  This solo play is written and performed by Jack Fry and directed by Tom Blomquist.

This is the multi-award winning and critically acclaimed show that has over 150 performances under its belt.  This 80-minute show is designed for a general audience and has played in many venues around the country.   Einstein comes back from the beyond.

Frustrated that no one has heard the real science history behind General Relativity, Albert takes us back to Berlin in 1914 where he is sent sideways in a world crumbling around him due to The Great War, colleagues trying to steal his theories, being isolated for his pacifist views, a wife who won’t give him a divorce, his failing health, a huge scientific backlash, anti-Semitism, his own self destructive genius, and his 10-year old son fighting for his father’s affections.  Told with humor, 3D graphics that help give us an insight to his brilliant mind,  Albert Einstein comes to life as Jack Fry revitalizes one of the most intriguing icons of all time.

The program will be at the Argenta Community Theatre. Doors open at 6pm, the performance starts at 7pm. Tickets are $30.

Noon Year’s Eve today at the Museum of Discovery

Posted on by
Families with young children who cannot stay up late to ring in the New Year can ring in the “Noon Year” at the Museum of Discovery’s “Noon Year’s Eve” event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, December 31.
At “Noon Year’s Eve” families can make noisemakers, enjoy hands-on science activities and learn more about New Year’s traditions. The highlight, however, will be a countdown to noon featuring a large balloon drop.
“Our ‘Noon Year’s’ countdown allows families who might miss the big countdown to midnight due to early bedtimes to get in on the fun,” said Peggy Thibodeau, museum educator and event leader. “It really is the best of both worlds because you get to celebrate without losing any sleep, and you learn while doing so.”
“Noon Year’s Eve” is included in regular museum admission: $10 for adults; $8 for children 12 and under; $2 for SNAP benefits recipients; and free for museum members and children under 1. For more information, visit www.museumofdiscovery.org or call 501-396-7050.