Press Release
Florida Museum of Natural History offers variety of fall exhibits, events, classes
Editors note: the following listing includes events through Dec. 31.
Oct. 15, 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
PHOTOS AVAILABLE
Exhibits
"Megalodon: Largest Shark that Ever Lived" - through Jan. 6, 2008
At 60 feet long, Megalodon was the largest shark that ever lived and a dominant marine predator. Sharks are at risk today, with recent population
declines attributed to humans. Though Megalodon vanished 2 million years ago, its fascinating story inspires lessons for science and shark
conservation. This exhibit showcases both fossil and modern shark specimens as well as full-scale models. Visitors enter a full-size sculpture
of Megalodon through massive jaws and learn about when it lived, why it vanished and shark conservation today.
"The Soul of Florida Landscapes: Paintings by Gary Borse" - through Nov. 25
This exhibition consists of four Florida landscape paintings by award-winning artist Gary Borse, who describes his work as "attempting to capture
the essence of mystery and excitement that someone might feel, more than see, when experiencing a landscape."
"Charles R. Knight: Studies of Lost Worlds" - through fall 2007
Seven study paintings by Charles R. Knight, the first and the most renowned "paleo-artist" of all time, are currently on display in the Hall of Florida Fossils.
Knight's murals depicting ancient life grace the halls of America's greatest natural history museums. The paintings include many animals that once
lived in Florida.
Discovery Room Activity Area - through Dec. 31, 2008
The Discovery Room is one of the Florida Museum's most popular family activity areas, providing ongoing, interactive family activities daily.
Hours are 12-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday and 1-4:30 p.m. Sunday.
Visitors may explore a coral reef, create animals from Florida's diverse ecosystems in self-guided discovery stations, or complete an arts and craft or
coloring project. Scheduled programs through Dec. 31, 2007, include Dr. Discovery's child-friendly presentation 2 p.m. the first Wednesday of each
month; story time with a museum staff member 11 a.m. Saturdays; an activity selected by the museum staff beginning at 3:30 p.m. Saturdays; and
natural history related crafts 1:30 p.m. Sundays.
Events
"Science Day at the Museum: Research and Discovery," 1-5 p.m. Oct 21.
Learn about the cutting edge research across the University of Florida campus and at several of UF's historically black college partners. More
than 50 posters and exhibits will showcase results obtained by undergraduates in many of UF's most outstanding research groups. Displays by
several colleges will reveal exciting new research. Co-sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Science for Life program.
Museum Nights
Visit the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art from 5-9 p.m. during Museum Nights, many Thursday evenings following the University of Florida academic calendar. The program is co-sponsored by University of Florida Student Government.
"Butterfly Jazz Night," 5-9 p.m. Oct. 18.
The Florida Museum's award-winning Butterfly Rainforest will be open from 5-8 p.m. See butterflies from around the world and round out the
evening with desserts and music. Admission to the Rainforest is FREE to UF students with their Gator 1 card.
"Day of the Dead," 5-9 p.m. Nov. 1
The Florida Museum, along with "Mexicans in Gainesville" and the "Center for Latin American Studies," will celebrate life and the after-life. Among
the activities, University of Florida Professor Susan Gillespie will give a presentation on the Aztec notion of souls and Florida Museum Ornithology
Curator David Steadman will take guests on a virtual bird-watching trip through the Mexican desert.
"Trashformations: Trash to Treasure" 5-9 p.m. Nov. 8
Middle school, high school and college students will transform "waste" into recycled art during the ninth-annual "Trashformations." The event includes
a fashion show displaying various pieces of clothing created from unusual resources. The Florida Museum will display the winning entries through
Nov. 21. This event is co-sponsored by the Alachua County Office of Waste Alternatives.
"An Inconvenient Truth" 5-9 p.m. Nov. 29.
This award winning documentary will be shown at 6 p.m., followed by a discussion of the politics of global warming with University of Florida Political
Science Professor Albert Matheny.
Science Sundays
The Florida Museum presents the Science Sundays Series once a month this fall. The lectures cover a variety of topics.
"Creating History" 2:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 28
Florida Museum Caribbean Archaeology Curator William Keegan will discuss how the myths and beliefs of the storyteller bias our history. Learn the
true story of Columbus through his own words, native oral history and modern scholarship. Following the lecture, Keegan will sign copies of his book
"Taino Indian Myth and Practice: the Arrival of the Stranger King."
"Into the Wilds" 2:30-3:30 p.m. Nov. 11
Photographer Eric Zamora shares his explorations of Idaho's central mountain ranges and Florida's Nature Coast. Zamora will discuss his personal
connection to the natural environment and how the art of photography can make essential contributions to conservation efforts.
"A Natural Perspective" 2:30-3:30 p.m. Dec. 2
Trace "A History of Florida Forests" with author Barry Walsh beginning with the discovery of this rich land. Learn about the effects of harvesting this
natural resource and how a young generation of loggers became passionate conservationists. Book signing to follow.
Classes
Day Class "Predators of the Sea" (grades K-5) 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Oct. 26
Participants will search for the most fearsome marine predators and learn how these fascinating animals thrive in Earth's oldest habitat. Each
class session is $72 for Florida Museum members, $86 for non-members. Students should dress appropriately for outdoor activities and bring
a sack lunch. Pre-registration is required. Call (352) 846-2000, ext. 277.
"Let's Explore!" Science Series" (grades 1-5) 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Nov. 3, Dec. 1
The first Saturday of each month this fall, participants can discover endangered animals and find out why these amazing animals are disappearing.
"Dying Predators"is the focus of the Nov. 3 class and "Arctic Mayhem" is the subject of the Dec. 1 class. The cost is $18 per class for
Florida Museum members, $24 for non-members. Pre-registration is required. Call (352) 846-2000, ext. 277.
"Wigglers and Walkers" (preschoolers) 3:30 p.m. Oct. 17 and Nov. 21
Every third Wednesday of the month, preschoolers will learn about museum exhibits through stories, crafts and other age-appropriate activities.
The Oct. 17 session will focus on "Climbers" and Nov. 21 features "Flyers and Gliders." The cost for Florida Museum members is $4 for an adult/child
pair, with $2 for each additional child. For non-members, the fee is $5 per adult/child pair, with $2 for each additional child. Call (352) 846-2000, ext. 277
for more information. No pre-registration is required.
Home School "Mega-shark," (ages 7-11) 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Oct. 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5.
During the Home School program, students will investigate interdisciplinary principles of paleontology, marine biology and ichthyology in a search
for the largest shark that ever lived, the 60-foot-long Megalodon. The Home School classes are $72 for Florida Museum members, $86 for non-members.
Pre-registration is required. Call (352) 846-2000, ext. 248 for more information.
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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.