Tag Archives: Nan Selz

Museum of Discovery to showcase TITANIC wreckage

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100 years ago today, people worldwide read newspaper accounts of the unthinkable disaster that was the sinking of the RMS Titanic.

The Museum of Discovery is set to unveil its latest traveling exhibit April 28 titled “Extreme Deep: Mission to the Abyss” revealing some of the ocean floor’s mystique, and how science and technology play integral roles in defining it.

Developed by Evergreen Exhibitions in collaboration with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), the world’s largest non-profit ocean science research institution, this 3,000 square foot interactive exhibit is designed to engage museum visitors through hands-on exploration and discovery, submerging them into the deep undersea world. Extreme Deep depicts the mysteries of the ocean’s greatest depths. Newly discovered life forms, thermal vents, close-up views of deep-sea research submersibles as well as shipwrecks including the Titanic, are among the attractions in this deep-sea adventure. Museum goers will observe firsthand the technology that only recently has allowed men and women to travel to the ocean floor.

Extreme Deep puts the technology necessary for deep-sea exploration in the hands of museum guests. Visitors join fellow explorers in an interior replica of the submersible Alvin’s personnel sphere, which they can operate to simulate a dive to depths of up to three miles. They can fly a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) over a model of the Titanic’s deck. They can also test their skill at manipulating Alvin’s robotic arm by picking up lava rocks and clams from the seafloor while peering through a re-creation of Alvin’s four-inch viewport window.

Extreme Deep is presented by Little Rock Family Magazine, a member of the Arkansas Business Publishing Group. Little Rock Family is dedicated to providing informative family-friendly activities and resources for the central Arkansas region, and works to promote and support local businesses and non-profit organizations, as well as community-minded people.

“Together with our partners at Little Rock Family, we look forward to bringing Extreme Deep to Arkansas. People have long been fascinated with the ocean and what lies beneath. This interactive exhibit embodies our focus – creating a passion and an understanding for science and technology through discovery,” explains Nan Selz, executive director for the Museum of Discovery.

Extreme Deep brings the seafloor to the surface in an amazing display that illustrates the magnificent engineering feats of Mother Nature – like the building of enormous “black smokers” that spew mineral-rich fluid into the ocean supporting life vastly different from that flourishing on land or in shallow water.

The exhibit will run from April 28-July 29.

Museum of Discovery: Science After Dark on Wednesday evening (3/28)

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The Museum of Discovery’s new monthly program series designed for persons ages 21 and older, titled “Science After Dark,” will occur Wednesday, March 28, 2012 6-8 pm. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about science in a unique, fun setting.

This month’s theme is polyvinyl chloride, more commonly known as vinyl. People will be entertained when learning what vinyl is, how it is made and what its uses are.

“Many people will remember when vinyl was used for music records. Of course, some may not! They were around long before cds and dvds. We’ve partnered with the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) staff, and they will be bringing some of their stored records. We plan to have a record sale. It will be fun to browse through some fun classics,” said Joel Gordon, the Museum’s visitor experience manager.

Since re-opening in January, the new Museum of Discovery has developed programming for multiple audiences. Its mission is to “ignite a passion for science, technology and math in a dynamic, interactive environment” – at any age.

“The Museum of Discovery has many educational offerings. We’re here to serve as a science resource for the whole state. For years, we’ve been a favorite with families and educators. Today, this new facility is a quality attraction for all ages,” said Nan Selz, Executive Director of the Museum.

“We began hosting Science After Dark in January as a way to engage adults by presenting the world of science in an entertaining way,” she added.

Science After Dark is held the fourth Wednesday of each month. Museum educators pick a different topic, and develop an event around it. In addition to this month’s old-school record sale, activities will include tinkering with records and a record-spinning disc jockey. The event is for ages 21 and older, admission is $10 per person and a cash bar will be available. Museum members will be admitted for free.

For more information on Science After Dark or the Museum of Discovery, visit www.museumofdiscovery.org, follow us on www.facebook.com/museumofdiscovery and www.twitter.com/arkmod, or call (501) 396-7050.

A New Discovery Has Arrived!

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The Museum of Discovery opens today!  The mission of the Museum of Discovery is to ignite a passion for science, technology and math in a dynamic, interactive environment.

In order to carry out this mission, the museum’s space has been completely remodeled and exhibits have been replaced.  There are now nearly 90 customized, state-of-the-art, interactive science and technology showpieces in three new galleries focused on health, physical and earth sciences.

The first thing visitors will notice is that the Museum of Discovery has a new entrance.  There is now a street-level front door on President Clinton Avenue.  In 1927, when it was founded as the Museum of Natural History and Antiquities, it was in a storefront on Main Street.  Since it moved to Little Rock City Hall in 1930, it has never had a street front entrance. The museum now has “curb appeal.”

Under the leadership of Executive Director Nan Selz, the renovated space boasts almost 6,000 additional square feet, primarily in the front entrance and reception area. The new space has a contemporary look and feel. A new theater, conference room and multi-purpose classrooms provide new teaching spaces and rental opportunities.

Also new to the museum is its tinkering studio, the first of its kind in Arkansas. Inside the 450 square-foot workshop, visitors will get the chance to create, invent and discover. The studio will serve as a model for future tinkering labs at partnering discovery network museums.

The museum’s new Explore Store will house a wide variety of inventive items that are both educational and fun that will serve as a way to continue one’s museum experience, and to encourage learning and creative play.

Funding has been provided by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. The Museum was awarded a $9.2 million grant which funded the new construction, the renovation of the old facility and the purchase of all-new exhibits.

Museum hours are:

Tuesday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday Closed (Open on Monday holidays)

Admission: $10 ages 12 and older, $8 ages 1-11, Free under age 1

Arts & Humanities Month: Museum of Discovery

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The Museum of Discovery, which has its roots as Little Rock’s oldest museum, is currently closed for renovations.  First founded in the 1920s by Bernie Babcock in a streetfront store, it later was housed in Little Rock City Hall and for many years called the old Arsenal building in MacArthur Park its home. In the 1990s, it moved to the burgeoning River Market district as an anchor tenant in the Museum Center building.

In April 2011, the museum closed for a reimagination of its space in the building.  Once it reopens to the public in early 2012, the Museum of Discovery will, for the first time in 85 years have a streetfront entrance.  Once inside, visitors will experience Arkansas’ premier science center with exhibits geared to all ages from pre-school up to adulthood.  This expansion and renovation was made possible through the support of the hundreds of donors, the tireless efforts of a Board of Directors, the generosity of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, support of the City of Little Rock and the vision and leadership of Nan Selz, the museum’s executive director.

While the museum is closed, its camps, traveling exhibits and participation in the Arkansas Discovery Network has continued.  Special events such as Dino Dash and Uncorked have continued as well.  Tonight, the 2011 edition of Uncorked takes place.  With the theme “Mad Scientist Mash” it takes place at the Clinton Presidential Center, just down the street from the Museum’s location.