Plus: Check Out our February Program Lineup |
February is shaping up to be a Mars spectacular here at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature with the planned Feb. 18 landing of Perseverance on the Red Planet. The rover, which will be accompanied by its helicopter partner, Ingenuity, will be searching for signs of ancient life on Mars. As the region’s premier astronomy center, we’re watching this landing closely. Planetarium Manager Howard Hochhalter points out that “other rovers have landed on Mars, but Perseverance is the first whose primary goal is to search for evidence to determine whether life — in the form of microbes — ever existed there. Perseverance will also attempt to find out whether Mars ever had a climate that could support life (Mars’ average temperature is minus 81 degrees, and its atmosphere is 95 percent carbon dioxide).” Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our Feb. 20 program, Mission: Mars (details below). We also have a new Planetarium show starting this week called “Sea of Stars: Sail Through the Milky Way!” |
That’s not all that’s happening at The Bishop! Our newest special exhibition — Badlands to Bradenton: Lessons from the Field — opens today. This exhibition showcases the annual expeditions we lead for Manatee County teachers to Nebraska’s Badlands and how the teachers use the experience in their classrooms. If you’d like to stop by for a (socially distanced) visit to preview the exhibition, please let me know. We also have B-Roll interviews with teachers who have participated in the expeditions and still images available for media use. (Download here) Badlands to Bradenton: Lessons from the Field is generously sponsored by the Toomey family and visiting is included in the price of admission. And, of course, we have a full lineup of programs for adults and kids planned for February. Some take place in person at the Museum; others are on Zoom so you can join no matter where you are! As always, if you’d like to talk about these happenings or anything else at The Bishop, please give me a call at 941.216.3460 or send me an email! Remi |
Coming Up at The Bishop: Special Events and Activities |
Mission: Mars |
The Perseverance rover is scheduled to land on Mars on Thursday, Feb. 18. On Saturday, Feb. 20, we’ll be celebrating Perseverance and its mission to explore whether life ever existed on the Red Planet. Visitors can enjoy space- and engineering-related games like an outdoor obstacle course around the solar system, a scavenger hunt, a new limited-time Planetarium show about Jezero Crater — the crater Perseverance will be exploring — flight experiments, and more! When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20Where: At The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., BradentonCost: Event activities included in the price of admission |
Astronomy Viewing Opportunity at The Bishop |
Opportunities abound for astronomy fun in February! Join us at one of these evening viewing sessions in The Bishop’s North Plaza, and you can use our telescopes (and the help of our astronomy experts) to view the stunning Orion Nebula, the jewel-like Pleiades star cluster, and the beautiful double-star Almach! What: Astronomy Viewing OpportunityWhen: Saturday, Feb. 20 (Rain date is Sunday, Feb. 21.)2 Start Times: We’re hosting two sessions to stay within social distancing guidelines.7-8 p.m. Registration8:15-9:15 p.m. RegistrationCost: $8 per person for members of the Discovery Society; $10 per person for all others. Please note: Masks are required for staff and guests, and we will adhere to social distancing measures. |
NEW Planetarium Show Opens Friday |
Have you ever wondered what happens when a star is born? Our newest Planetarium show helps you find out! “Sea of Stars: Sail Through the Milky Way” takes you on a journey to visit baby stars in a stellar nursery, see the nebulas left by dead stars (like the one pictured to the right), and explore the supermassive black hole at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy. Prepare to be star struck! Also showing: “Mars Revealed,” where we fly you from Earth to the Martian surface where you’ll discover some of the geographical features that could indicate whether life ever existed on the Red Planet, and “Flight Through Our Solar System,” which takes you from the sun past Pluto to the icy outer reaches of the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud. Show Times “Mars Revealed”10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday “Sea of Stars: Sail Through the Milky Way”11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; 1 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday “Flight Through Our Solar System” Noon and 2:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday Planetarium shows are included in the price of admission. Due to social distancing guidelines, guests are asked to sign up for their preferred showtimes when they arrive at the Museum. |
February Programs with The Bishop |
“Angola on the Manatee River: New Insights Revealing Bradenton’s Ties to the Underground Railroad” |
During February’s think + drink / science, we’ll welcome Professor Uzi Baram, professor of anthropology at New College of Florida as he shares new insights into the archaeology of the Underground Railroad now under the streets of Bradenton and its implications for our understanding of what it means to be free. The Underground Railroad is famous for the routes facilitating the journey from enslavement in the United States to freedom in Canada. But the quest for freedom did not only go north; many self-emancipated and headed south, to Spanish La Florida. In January 2020, Baram led excavations in what is now the eastern terminal of Bradenton’s Riverwalk. When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10Where: On ZoomCost: $3 for members of the Discovery Society; $5 for all othersRegister now think + drink/science is sponsored by WUSF, a corporate partner of The Bishop. |
“Ingenious Engineering” |
Smart, curious middle school students in grades 6 through 8 can join in our monthly IQuest program. In February, our theme is “Ingenious Engineering” and we’ll be looking at space exploration — and its challenges! How do we make things fly, and once we do, how can we get them all the way out into space and land them safely? Participants must register before 11am on Saturday, February 13; we’ll be adhering to social distancing measures during all activities, masks will be required, and all students will be temperature screened upon arrival. When: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13Where: In person at The Bishop (Kids only — this is a drop-off program!)Cost: $8 Register now |
KidSpace: February 13 & 27 |
KidSpace unleashes the awesome power of the universe through this interactive astronomy program. Designed for kids in grades 1-5 and their grown-ups, but everyone is welcome! Where: On ZoomWhen: 10:30 a.m. Cost: FreeFeb. 13 registrationFeb. 27 registration |
Science Sprouts: February 14 & 28 |
Science Sprouts is a play and explore discovery program for kids ages 2-5 and their favorite adults in the Mosaic Backyard Universe. Where: In person at The BishopWhen: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Cost: $14 per child for members of the Discovery Society; $18 per child for all others. Includes one adult to accompany each child.Advance reservations required. (We are unable to accommodate walk-ins.)Feb. 14: “Wonderful Wetlands” registrationFeb. 28: “Burrow Buddies” registration Please note: This program does not include Museum admission. Guests may purchase same-day admission for $7 per adult. |
Stelliferous: February 24 |
The stars are the stars during Stelliferous, our monthly live guided tour of the skies with a staff astronomer, who will talk about where our stars, planets and constellations are headed. The program includes the most current events in the world of astronomy, then we open the floor for an always-fun question and answer session. Stelliferous is great for curious adults and inquisitive kids alike. Where: On Zoom, where we’ll discuss the latest news in the world of astronomy and answer your questions about our night skies.When: 7pm Wednesday, February 24Cost: $3 for members of the Discovery Society; $5 for all othersRegister now Stelliferous is sponsored by the Herald-Tribune, a corporate partner of The Bishop. |
As the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast, The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature (formerly South Florida Museum) offers fun and engaging exhibitions and programs that interpret the scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world and our universe. In addition to permanent exhibitions, The Bishop features a constantly changing lineup of special exhibitions — offering something new to discover with each visit — and Pathways, a custom, interactive app that offers guests specially curated tours of the Museum. The Bishop includes an all-digital Planetarium — the only one of its kind on Florida’s Gulf Coast — the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, where we help rehabilitate sick or injured manatees for their return to the wild, and the Mosaic Backyard Universe, built especially for young children and their families. Our Mission: To inspire the joy of discovery and wonder for all ages through excellence in stewardship and engagement. Visit www.BishopScience.org for hours, info and admission details or call 941-746-4131. |
Adults 18-64, $20 | Seniors (65+), $19 | Youth 12-17 and College Students with ID, $16 | Children 5-11, $12 | Children 4 and younger admitted free with a paying adult. Free Admission for Discovery Society Members | Florida Teachers and Active Duty military (with ID) | Museums for All participantsThanks to Our Corporate Partners:Blake Medical Center | BMO Harris Bank | Bradenton Herald | Manatee Herald-Tribune | Mosaic | NetWeave Social Networking | Northern Trust | SRQ Media | WUSF Public Media |