Press Release
Fla. Museum presents 'Living Lights & Sparkling Seas' k-5 class March 24 during Alachua County Schools student holiday
For Immediate Release March 7, 2006
Contact:
Paul Ramey, APR
Dir. of Marketing and Public Relations
Florida Museum of Natural History
(352) 846-2000, ext. 218, pramey@ufl.edu
Writer: Emily Banks
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- The Florida Museum of Natural History invites children in grades k-5 to discover the creatures that glow in the dark at the "Living Lights & Sparkling Seas" Alachua County Schools student holiday class 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 24.
Participants will explore the "Glow: Living Lights" traveling exhibit. "Glow," which is on display at the Florida Museum through May 29, is the first museum exhibition to explore the scientific marvel of bioluminescence — the ability of an organism to produce its own light.
Florida Museum docents and staff will lead students in a glowing hands-on exploration of unusual creatures such as vomiting shrimp, vampire squid and cookie cutter sharks to discover how bioluminescence works, the varied reasons some organisms have natural light-producing abilities and why bioluminescence is important to humans.
"Most children have chased fireflies on a summer night, but until now, few people have had the opportunity to discover the science behind this magical phenomenon," said Susan Duvenhage, Florida Museum associate director for exhibits and public programs. "'Glow' explains what puts the fire in fireflies and the glow in glowworms."
Cost is $60 for Florida Museum members and $72 for non-members. Pre-registration is required. Students must bring a sack lunch. For more information, call (352) 846-2000, ext. 277.
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The Florida Museum of Natural History is Florida's state natural history museum, dedicated to understanding, preserving and interpreting biological diversity and cultural heritage. It is located near the intersection of Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza in Gainesville. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Florida Museum is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Butterfly Rainforest admission is $7.50 for adults and $4.50 for children ages 3-12. For more information, including directions and parking information, call (352) 846-2000, or visit the museum online, www.flmnh.ufl.edu.