Category Archives: Science

PI Day at the Museum of Discovery 

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Today is not just PI Day, it is a very special PI Day. 

PI Day is an annual celebration commemorating the mathematical constant PI.  This year is extra special–once in a lifetime–because at exactly 9:26:53a.m. It will be 3.14.15; 9:26:53. Those are the first 10 ungrounded dugouts of PI in perfect order. It is a feat that will be unrepeated until 2115.

The Museum of Discovery has rounded up (pun intended) some activities to mark the occasion.

  • There will be special hands-on activities in the Great Hall. 
  • An interactive reading of Sir Cumference and the Dragon of PI led by Visitor Experience Director Kevin Delaney in the theatre at 1pm and 3pm. 
  • At 10am there will be Wiggle Worm activities
  • Awesome Science demonstrations at 11am and 2pm

And while in the River Market District you can enjoy pizza pies at Gusanos, Jay’s, Iriana’s, or Damgoode.

Meander through Mindbender Mansion at the Museum of Discovery 

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Mister E. and the Mindbender Society invite you to enter the wonderfully puzzling world of Mindbender Mansion, an eclectic place full of puzzles, brainteasers, and interactive challenges guaranteed to test the brain power and problem solving skills of even the most experienced puzzlers. Adults and children alike will enjoy exercising their minds as they try to master each of the 11 individual brain teasers and the three group activities in this fun and unconventional new exhibit.

Visitors to Mindbender Mansion will be greeted by the wacky Mr. E., master brainteaser and puzzler extraordinaire, and current curator of the Mindbender Society. He will explain the mysteries of Mindbender Mansion and how to become a member of the eccentric Mindbender Society by gathering hidden clues and secret passwords. The clues can only be found by solving key puzzles found in select themed areas. 

Throughout the exhibit visitors will find a combination of tabletop brainteasers they can solve on their own and larger group challenges that require assistance from their fellow mansion guests. 

The group challenges include:

  • Feeding Frenzy-Kitchen mayhem is guaranteed in a race to beat the clock by filling T.V. dinner trays (with five kinds of food) on a fast moving conveyer belt.
  • Spelling Fever-Hopscotch meets Scrabble® in this race to spell correct words within a limited amount of time by hopping on letter squares that light up.  
  • Amazing Maze-In this version of the classic steel ball labyrinth game visitors must work together to tilt a table in different directions, guiding a ball into six holes as quickly as possible. 

Upon completing each of the select brainteasers and group challenges, visitors will have gathered the necessary clues and secret passwords to become a member of the Mindbender Society and add their portrait to the “Wall of Fame.”

$1 Day at Museum of Discovery Today

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From 1pm to 5pm today, admission to the Museum of Discovery is only $1 per person.

The Little Rock Marathon will still be finishing up to the west of the museum, but that means there will be other activities to enjoy in addition to the Museum.

A featured exhibit is Dinosaurs: Fossils Exposed.  This new and in-depth look at the prehistoric creatures that once roamed the Earth educates as well as excites visitors. 

It dispels common misconceptions and engages young and old visitors alike with hands on interactive exhibits like a fossil dig pit, timeline matching game, and much more. Guests can get up close looks at life-size skulls, arms, feet and everything in between.

Science of the Heart at Museum of Discovery’s Science After Dark tonight

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Each month the Museum of Discovery hosts “Science after Dark” for adults aged 21 and up.  This month’s theme is “Science of the Heart.”

Here’s what you can expect at this month’s Science After Dark:

-Heart healthy diets with Whole Foods (Science After Dark’s new presenting sponsor)

-CPR with American Heart Association

-Chocolate and the heart with Kilwins (and samples)

 

-The heart and blood with American Red Cross

-Heart dissections with museum staff

 

-The benefits of wine

-Heart research advances with Children’s Nutrition Institution

 

Cash bar by Juanita’s, beer sold by Stone’s Throw Brewery and pizza by the slice sold by Damgoode Pies.

The program runs from 6pm to 9pm. Cost is $5, free for museum members.

Maned Wolf Pups born at Little Rock Zoo

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Maned Wolf PupsThe Little Rock Zoo is proud to announce that two maned wolf pups were born Dec. 21 and are growing strong according to Zoo staff.

The pups’ parents are maned wolves Gabby and Diego, two wolves living at the Zoo since 2013.  Maned wolves are known for their tall long legs and reddish-brown coats, but newborn maned wolves have a dark coat that will turn reddish-brown when full-grown. Gabby is now taking her pups out into the yard of her exhibit at the Zoo allowing visitors to catch an occasional glimpse. The pups are expected to fully be out on exhibit in the next two to three months.

The breeding of the maned wolves comes at the recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). Maned wolves are threatened in their natural habitats in Central and Southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, Eastern Bolivia, and Northern Argentina due to deforestation. Maned wolves are even killed for body parts, due to the belief that they carry “magical properties.” This beautiful animal is at a risk of extinction, but with the help of zoo breeding programs like the SSP, maned wolves can still roam.

In 2007, the Little Rock Zoo was given praise for its maned wolf breeding program. Dr. Nucharin Songsasen, a reproductive advisor to the Maned Wolf SSP of North America, visited the Zoo to collect research from the Zoo’s breeding program, which is considered one of the most successful ones in the country.

Science of Mixology at this month’s Museum of Discovery Science After Dark

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MuseumMixologysmEach month, the Museum of Discovery stays open late for an event geared for adults.  Science After Dark, held the last Thursday of the month, is for the grown-ups. Why? Because, science is fun…at any age!  

The event takes place from 6pm to 9pm tonight at the Museum of Discovery.

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.

This month, just in time for Super Bowl and Oscar parties – Explore the science of cocktails and mixology at the first Science After Dark of the year!

This month’s Science After Dark will include mixology with Louis Uzcategui of Big Orange Midtown, molecular mixology with Chef Stephen Burrow of  Forty Two, distilling with Rock Town Distillery, the history of prohibition with Old State House Museum, density columns and more!

Cash bar by Juanita’s, beer sold by Stones Throw Brewery and pizza sold by the slice by Damgoode Pies

Admission: $5 per person; members FREE

BUILD IT LAB today and next 4 Saturdays at Museum of Discovery

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NewMOD 021Starting today and continuing on Saturdays through February 21, the sound of hammering and sawing will fill the galleries of the Museum of Discovery during its latest project, “Build It Lab,” a hands-on exploration into the world of construction.  In partnership with AGC Arkansas, the state’s largest association of commercial contractors; University of Arkansas at Little Rock; and Home Depot, “Build It Lab” will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on five consecutive Saturdays, January 24 through February 21, and promises to offer visitors an interactive view into the many phases of construction ranging from framing to wiring to painting.

Museum visitors each Saturday will engage in five hands-on activities related to framing, waterproofing, plumbing, wiring, roofing, soundproofing and painting.  Some of these activities include an introduction to hammering and sawing, circuit blocks, marble runs and painting with the aid of stencils.  The activities will be facilitated by area construction professionals, Home Depot employees and museum staff.

In addition to the hands-on projects, students from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Construction Management program will build a playhouse, focusing on a different construction phase each Saturday.  Once the house is complete, the Museum of Discovery will donate the building to a school for their playground.

“The mission of the Museum of Discovery is to ignite a passion for science, technology and math in a dynamic, interactive environment,” said Kelley Bass, museum CEO, “and Build It Lab is going to give our visitors the chance to do just that as they engage in hands-on construction activities while also observing UALR students building the playhouse that later will be awarded to an Arkansas school.”

“Workforce development continues to be a topic at the forefront of the minds of many Arkansans,” said Richard Hedgecock of AGC Arkansas, “We are proud to partner with these great community leaders to open the eyes of young people, and their parents, about the possibilities offered to them through construction careers.”

“Build It Lab” participation is included in regular museum admission.  For more information, visit www.museumofdiscovery.org or contact 501-396-7050.