Press Release
Fla. Museum shark expert George Burgess to speak at Aug. 30 'Jaws' science movie night
For Immediate Release August 23, 2007
Contact:
Paul Ramey, APR
Assistant Director, Marketing and Public Relations
Florida Museum of Natural History
(352) 846-2000, ext. 218, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu
Writer: Christine Eschenfelder
GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- The Florida Museum of Natural History presents a special showing of the 1975 thriller "Jaws" beginning at 6 p.m. Aug. 30 as part of Museum Nights.
Following the film, Florida Museum shark expert George Burgess will discuss his research and the truth about shark aggression. Burgess is director of the International Shark Attack File and the Florida Program for Shark Research, both housed at the Florida Museum on the University of Florida campus.
Burgess assisted in creating and is featured in the Florida Museum's new temporary exhibit "Megalodon: Largest Shark that Ever Lived," on display through Jan. 6, 2008. Visitors may enter the jaws of a 60-foot-long Megalodon sculpture and learn more about this giant creature that vanished 2 million years ago. The exhibit also explores how humans can help protect today's shark population and the oceans.
Funded by UF Student Government, Museum Nights are held many Thursday evenings following the UF academic calendar at the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art. The program strives to increase student and community visitation at the UF Cultural Plaza, located near the intersection of Southwest 34th Street and Hull Road. Museum Nights offers individuals who are too busy during the day the opportunity to visit the museums in the evening, when they remain open until 9 p.m. For more information and a complete schedule, visit the UF Student Government web site, www.sg.ufl.edu.
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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. Butterfly Rainforest admission is $8.50 for adults ($7.50 Fla. residents) and $4.50 for children ages 3-12. Prices subject to change. For more information, including directions and parking, call (352) 846-2000, or visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu.