The upcoming equinox on March 20 means that spring is here in Southwest Florida. Days are longer, we’re having fewer cold snaps and parents have their last opportunity to register their kids for our first-ever Spring Break Science Camp, which begins on Monday. We’re also doing a little spring cleaning of our own in the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, where we’re undertaking some renovations following the recent releases of Viva and Felicia to the wild. |
The Habitat is temporarily closed as we make some renovations that will allow future rehabilitatating manatees a more naturally stimulating environment with variable depth and substrate, with the goal of helping them transition even more successfully from rehabilitation back to the wild. The Habitat will reopen later this spring. The Bishop has been doing manatee rehabilitation since 1998 and was a founding partner of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership, a cooperative group of nonprofit, private, state and federal organizations that participate in manatee population management or manatee rescue and rehabilitation. In all, The Bishop has cared for more than 40 manatees, including Viva and Felicia. |
Did you miss the video of their release? Watch it here: | Here’s an update on Viva’s travels from Director of Animal Care, Virginia Edmonds: |
In the meantime, whether it’s our online programs or our in-person activities, there’s still plenty to do and see with The Bishop. This evening, during our Zoom think + drink / science program, we’ll be talking gigantic terror crocs so big that even dinosaurs steered clear; later this month we’re hosting an in-person BYOT (that’s bring your own telescope) workshop that provides guests with hands-on help so they can learn how to use their own telescopes and enjoy the stars as much as we do! And don’t forget: Badlands to Bradenton: Lessons from the Field is open in our East Gallery, showcasing the fossils found by Manatee County teachers during our summer expeditions to the Nebraska Badlands and the lessons the teachers bring back to their classrooms. Details about our March program lineup are below; 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 |
Learn more about Badlands to Bradenton from our Special Projects Manager Ashley Waite. | Manatee County Teacher Aaron Bokelmann shows off the oreodont skull he uncovered. |
March Programs at The Bishop |
When Gigantic Crocs Roamed the Earth, Even Dinosaurs Were Wary |
Fossils of Deinosuchus species (sometimes called terror crocodiles!) have been reported since 1856, but only in the past two decades have scientists been able to accurately reconstruct their entire skulls and most of their skeletons. One thing we do know: They were so big that even dinosaurs had reason to fear them! | Image credit: National Geographic Image Collection / Alamy Stock Photo. |
Tonight during think + drink / science, we welcome Dr. David Schwimmer, Professor of Geology, Columbus State University. He’ll highlight these fascinating top predators from the Late Cretaceous during “Gigantic Crocodylians, Deinosuchus Species: Top Predators Around the Late Cretaceous Coasts of North America.” When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 10Where: On ZoomCost: $3 for members of the Discovery Society; $5 for all others.Register now think + drink / science is sponsored by WUSF, a corporate partner of The Bishop. |
If you’ve been looking at your new telescope — or even the one that’s a little dusty — and wondering “How do I use this thing?” join us for a hands-on workshop at The Bishop! Our experts will help you get comfortable setting up and using your telescope so you get the most out of it and avoid many pitfalls that can lead to frustration. Weather permitting, you’ll see the moon and stars with your own telescope by evening’s end. Then, when you head home, you’ll be well equipped to enjoy the rich hobby of astronomy. This is a BYOT program — Bring Your Own Telescope! When: 7 p.m. March 20Where: In The Bishop’s North PlazaCost: $45 per telescope for members of the Discovery Society (includes 5 participants per scope); $50 for all others (includes up to 5 participants per scope). Each ticket includes admission to the March 24 Stelliferous program on Zoom.Register now Please note: Number of participants is limited to allow for individual attention. Masks are required for staff and guests, and we will adhere to social distancing measures. |
Stelliferous: March 24 |
This monthly live-guided tour of the night skies includes the latest news from the world of astronomy, along with night-sky highlights for March. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities for questions & answers! Great for curious adults and inquisitive kids alike. When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 24Where: On ZoomCost: $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. |
Just for Kids at The Bishop |
Registration is Open for Summer Science Camps |
Give your kids a summer of fun and adventure with The Bishop’s Summer Science Camps! Curious explorers ages 7-11 can enjoy up to seven weeks of camp with a different science theme each week. Campers will enjoy exciting topics as they learn through games, crafts, experiments, viewing The Bishop’s exhibitions, and more! When: Camp runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday with weekly sessions starting June 7 through July 23Where: At The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W, Bradenton, Florida, 34205Cost: Members of the Discovery Society at the Innovator Level and above pay $200 per week. All others pay $250. Camp Dates & Topics June 7-11: “Surviving or Thriving: Species Survival”June 14-18: “Myths, Legends, and Unsolved Mysteries”June 21-25: “Under the Ocean”June 28-July 2: “Creative Chemistry”July 5-9: “Exploring the Elements: Natural Disasters”July 12-16: “Shooting for the Moon: Engineering and Space”July 19-23: “Scaly, Slimy, Spectacular” Registration and full details |
KidSpace: March 13 & 27During KidSpace we unleash the awesome power of astronomy as we help kids become scientific masters of the universe! Designed for grades 1-5 and their grown-ups, but everyone is welcome! When: 10:30 a.m. March 13 & 27Where: On ZoomCost: FreeMarch 13 registrationMarch 27 registration | IQuest: March 13This month’s IQuest topic is “Ancient Ecosystems.” How do we learn about life in the past? Join us to explore fossils, and learn how they are uncovered and the stories they can tell us. IQuest takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Bishop. It’s a drop-off program for smart, curious middle school students in grades 6 through 8.March 13 registration |
Learn About Prehistoric Pals and Manatees During Science Sprouts |
Join us this month for Science Sprouts, a play and explore discovery program for kids ages 2-5 and their favorite adult that takes place in the Mosaic Backyard Universe. When: 10:30-11:30 a.m. March 14 & 28Where: In person at The BishopCost: $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.) |
Dinosaurs are fun, but the fossils we find in Florida are from other amazing animals. Dust off your tools and get hands-on with real fossils to learn about prehistoric pals from Florida’s past. From giant sharks to ancient horses, the past is a blast at Science Sprouts! March 14: “Prehistoric Pals” registration | You don’t need to get up close to manatees to show your appreciation. Get silly and celebrate Manatee Appreciation Day with Science Sprouts! Let’s get into manatee mischief with songs, stories, games, and crafts about these loveable mammals. March 28: “Manatee Mischief” registration |
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 |