There’s so much happening at The Bishop this month it’s hard to know where to begin! We’ve been excited to follow along on Perseverance’s journey to Mars as the rover explores the Red Planet looking for signs of ancient life. Earlier this week, NASA reported that its helicopter, Ingenuity, emerged from its first unprotected night of frigid temperatures and is doing well. We’re watching this mission closely and looking forward to seeing the helicopter fly. If you’d like to do a feature on Ingenuity’s historic flight attempt, schedule an interview with our resident NASA Solar System Ambassador and Planetarium Manager, Howard Hochhalter. Later this month, we’re hosting “Seeing Stars at The Bishop.” This program combines a live star talk with a special night-time viewing opportunity where guests will be able to see some cool night-sky features, including the Beehive Cluster and the first double star ever seen through a telescope in the 1600s. We’re also bringing our popular monthly program that offers a live guided tour of the night skies back into The Planetarium for an in-person show. But it’s not all about the stars — April 22 marks the 51st Earth Day and we have plenty of Earth-themed programs this month celebrating our favorite planet (details are below). And don’t miss our current special exhibition, Badlands to Bradenton: Lessons from the Field. The exhibition showcases the real-life fossil digs we lead for Manatee County teachers, including the fossils they’ve found and the lessons they bring back from the Nebraska Badlands. If you’d like to interview some of the teachers who have been on one of our Badlands expeditions, just give me a call! (This museum-curated exhibition, generously sponsored by the Toomey family, is open through June 6 and visiting is included in the price of admission.) |
Details about our April 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 |
April Programs at The Bishop |
Join Us for Seeing Stars at The Bishop |
You’ve seen stars outside at The Bishop during our public astronomy viewing opportunities, and you’ve seen them inside on our 50-foot dome during our live star talks in The Planetarium. On April 17 we’re bringing it all together for you! Join us for a live star talk with a staff astronomer, who will introduce you to what you’ll see that night, then head outside to our telescopes to view objects like the waxing crescent moon, the glittery swarm of stars known as the Beehive cluster, and Mizar, with its companion star Alcor — the first double star to ever be seen through a telescope in the 1600s. We’ll provide the telescopes and the expertise; you’ll enjoy the wonders of our universe! What: Seeing Stars at The BishopWhen: April 17 (rain date April 18)Cost: $15 for members of the Discovery Society; $20 for all othersChoose Your Session:Registration: Session 1: 8-8:30 p.m.Registration: Session 2: 8:30-9 p.m.Registration: Session 3: 9:15-9:45 p.m.Registration: Session 4: 9:45-10:15 p.m. Advance tickets are required. We are limiting audience size and hosting several sessions to allow for social distancing, so please choose from one of four different times. Masks are required for staff, volunteers, and guests. |
think + drink / science: Learn How You Can Become a Citizen Scientist with the EcoFlora Project |
With more than 2,000 native plant species in Florida, many are rare, understudied, or endangered and actively need conservation. The Sarasota Manatee EcoFlora Project aims to help protect and understand our native flora, monitor invasive species, provide information to scientists worldwide, and engage the public in citizen science. Join us for think + drink / science as we welcome Sean Patton, iNaturalist of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens EcoFlora Project. He’ll show you how you can participate in citizen science and join the project with only a smartphone or camera. 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 14 on Zoom$3 for members of the Discovery Society; $5 for all othersRegister now |
April 28: Stelliferous Returns to The Planetarium |
Your monthly guide to the night skies in back in person this month — live in The Planetarium! It will be our first Stelliferous ever with our new upgraded Planetarium equipment! You’ll feel like an astronaut as you experience our 50-foot dome and discover the latest news from the world of astronomy. 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 28 in The Planetarium$5 for members of the Discovery Society; $8 for all othersAdvance registration required. To ensure social distancing, we will be unable to accommodate walk-ins. Register now |
Just for Kids at The Bishop |
Join Us for “Earth Sweet Home” during the April 11 Science Sprouts Program |
Budding scientists ages 2-5 and their favorite grown-ups explore and discover in the Mosaic Backyard Universe. 10:30-11:30 a.m. at The Bishop$14 per adult/child for members of the Discovery Society; $18 per adult/child for all others. (Does not include Museum admission.) Reservations required. April 11: “Earth Sweet Home”celebrates our wonderful home planet! Learn all about what makes Earth a great place for life and how we can save resources by turning something old into something new.Register now April 25: “Beneficial Bees” explores what the buzz is about bees. Science Sprouts will become busy bees as we use imaginary play to dance, work, and sing about these helpful insect friends.Register now |
April 10 IQuest: “Habitat Sweet Habitat”Plants are often the defining parts of animal habitats, but what are the important parts of a plant’s habitat? Smart, curious students in grades 6 through 8 can join us for the April 10 IQuest “Habitat Sweet Habitat” and discover what plants need to be successful and why they form the communities that make up our world: forests, grasslands, marshes, and more! 4-8 p.m. Saturday, April 10 at The Bishop$8 (Kids only — this is a drop-off program!)Paid reservations required; includes a slice of pizza and a drink. Register now | KidSpace: April 10 & 24KidSpace unleashes the awesome power of astronomy and allows kids to become scientific masters of the universe! We’ll explore places humans have never been: the Sun, planets, other moons in our solar system, newly discovered solar systems in our galaxy and beyond. Designed for grades 1-5 and their grown-ups, but everyone is welcome! 10:30 a.m. April 10 & 24 on ZoomFree April 10 registrationApril 24 registration |
Summer Science Camps are Filling Up Fast: Register Today! |
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” SOLD OUT!July 5-9: “Exploring the Elements: Natural Disasters”July 12-16: “Shooting for the Moon: Engineering and Space” SOLD OUT!July 19-23: “Scaly, Slimy, Spectacular” SOLD OUT! Registration and full details |
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 |