Celebrate Space Day April 28 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Special space sciences events included FREE with admission
DENVER - April 25, 2012 -Families and visitors of all ages are invited to join the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Denver Astronomical Society, and the Colorado School of Mines Lunabotics team to celebrate space exploration. Museum visitors will have the unique opportunity to hear from a number of special guests, including retired NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless II; safely view the sun through solar telescopes; and find out how to get involved in astronomy.
Launched in 1997 by Lockheed Martin, Space Day is a grassroots education initiative that promotes achievements and opportunities in space exploration. Internationally, Space Day's focus on math, science, technology, and engineering education has reached millions of students and earned the Space Foundation's prestigious Education Achievement Award.
Space Day Celebration Events
Free with Museum Admission on Saturday, April 28
The Museum is celebrating Space Day with a full day of special programs and activities free with admission. Visitors can experience hands-on activities, listen to presentations, and participate in Q&A sessions. Below are highlights.
- Astronaut on Mars, Mars Outpost - Mars Diorama, 11:15 a.m.
Step up to the window of a diorama and look at Candor Chasma on Mars. Watch an "astronaut" conduct research, and ask questions via walkie-talkie to find out about living in space. Stop at the Experiment Bar to make discoveries about Mars.
- What It's Like to Fly on the Space Shuttle - Gates Planetarium, noon
Retired NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless II and Museum space science educator Eddie Goldstein will talk about McCandless's experiences in space while viewing Earth as seen from orbit.
- Build a Gumdrop Spacecraft - Experiment Bar, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Along with Lockheed Martin Engineer Karolyn Evans, visitors can design their own spacecraft using only gumdrops, toothpicks, and small paper cups. They then will test them to see if they can survive a five-foot drop.
- Solar Telescopes - Outside West Atrium, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
View the sun safely through solar telescopes. Members of the Denver Astronomical Society will be on hand to share their expertise (weather permitting).
Space Sciences at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is committed to providing visitors with inspiring and accurate information regarding space sciences. The Museum has three space science curators with expertise in planetary science, space science, astrobiology, and astrophysics. The work of these scientists and their teams can be viewed in the Museum's dynamic and highly interactive exhibition Space Odyssey. Planetarium shows andIMAX films supplement the Museum's permanent exhibition with the latest information regarding scientific discovery.
Media Contact
Charlotte Hurley, [email protected],
303-370-6407
About the Denver Museum of Nature &
Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain
Region's leading resource for informal science education. A variety
of engaging exhibits, discussions and activities help Museum
visitors celebrate and understand the natural wonders of Colorado,
Earth and the universe. The Museum is located at 2001 Colorado
Blvd., Denver, CO, 80205. To learn more about the Museum,
check www.dmns.org,
or call 303-370-6000.
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Many of the Museum's educational programs and exhibits are made possible in part by the citizens of the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District.