Summer is almost here — as our sold out Summer Science Camps evidence. Summer in Florida means afternoon rain showers, more mosquitos and, sadly, not exactly prime night-sky astronomy viewing. But that’s not going to stop us from celebrating all things space and astronomy, including hosting fun activities at the Museum on Astronomy Day, this Saturday, May 15. (You might even say we’re Spacing Out this month, with all of our space-themed programs!) And that’s not all that’s happening at The Bishop right now! We’re hosting the final month of our special exhibition Badlands to Bradenton: Lessons from the Field. This popular exhibition showcases the paleontology digs to the Nebraska Badlands that we host for Manatee County teachers each summer, as well as their fossil finds! Badlands to Bradenton, generously sponsored by the Toomey family, closes on June 6, so if you haven’t had a chance to visit yet, be sure not to miss out! We’re also working behind the scenes to renovate the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat. Our work should be completed in June, when we expect to reopen the facility for new manatees that need our help. The renovations include making physical changes to the space that will more closely mirror what manatees encounter in the wild, along with an overall new look that will remind you of a cypress spring. Check out the update from Jack Balkan, our Chief Facilities Officer, below. You’re also welcome to schedule a time for an in-person preview of your own — just give me a call! And mark your calendars now for the July 8 opening of our next special exhibition: Battles of the Boneless! Details about our upcoming programs and events 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! Until next month… Space Out! Remi |
P.S. Did you know that The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is a Blue Star Museum? Blue Star Museums offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families from May 15 to September 6. We thank all members of the military and their families for their service to our country! The free admission is available to Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard Active Duty and Reservists, National Guardsman (regardless of status), U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps PLUS up to five family members. Qualified members must show a valid military ID. |
Need Some Space? The Bishop Has it in May! |
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is celebrating space with a month full of activities |
Do you need your space? We do, too, so we’re celebrating it for an entire month! Come Space Out with us in May during a month full of activities that will bring you as close to space as you can get without leaving the ground! Celebrate the awe-inspiring universe and remarkable human achievements in space with lots of fun space programs and activities — including Astronomy Day on May 15 — at the Museum! “We want to help as many people as possible explore the wonders of the universe through astronomy — that’s why we’ve created an entire month’s worth of space-related programs and activities for all ages, from pre-schoolers to middle schoolers to adults, and everyone in between,” said Howard Hochhalter, Manager of The Planetarium. “I’m especially excited about Astronomy Day. Our guests will be able to take virtual tours of the universe, ask questions about telescopes and even learn about NASA’s latest mission to Mars!” Please note: Masks and social distancing are required for staff and visitors during in-person programs. |
Wednesday, May 12: “Totally Tubular” |
During think + drink / science we’re taking on ‘scopes during “Out of Sight! The Totally Tubular History of the Telescope and Microscope,” with Dr. David Berry, Associate Director of Academic Affairs and Special Projects at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Telescopes and microscopes enable us to see what the naked eye cannot and to explore the wonders of the universe and the microscopic world. We’ll trace the development of these remarkable inventions from novelty items to scientific instruments used to make some of the most important scientific discoveries in history! When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 12 Where: On ZoomCost: $3 for members of the Discovery Society; $5 for all others.Register now |
May 15: Astronomy Day at the Museum |
Join us at the Museum where space will take center stage on Astronomy Day!We’re planning special live star talks in The Planetarium, a scavenger hunt throughout the Museum, a crater-making experiment and fun space-related activities in the Mosaic Backyard Universe. You’ll even be able to talk to an expert from Celestron about your telescope questions! Everything is included with admission, so come get spaced out! |
Astronomy Day at The Bishop When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 15Cost: Included in admission | GET TICKETS NOW |
Saturday, May 22: KidSpaceWe unleash the awesome power of astronomy during KidSpace while we help kids master the universe! During this live session, we explore places humans have never been before! KidSpace is designed for kids ages 7-11 and their grown-ups, but everyone is welcome! Where: On ZoomWhen: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 22Cost: FreeRegister now | Wednesday, May 26: Stelliferous in The PlanetariumPhoto courtesy of Thomas Bender/Herald-TribuneJoin us in person in The Planetarium for this monthly guide to the night skies. You can experience our new upgraded Planetarium system and feel like an astronaut as you experience our 50-foot dome and discover the latest news from the world of astronomy! This live talk includes opportunities for Q&A. When: Wednesday, May 26, in The PlanetariumCost: $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.5:30 p.m. registrationPlease note: The 7 p.m. show is sold out. Capacity is limited to ensure social distancing and advance registration is required. Masks are required for staff and guests. |
And now, for something totally different… |
Join Us for “Terrific Turtles” during the May 23 Science Sprouts |
Our turtle friends are backyard favorites, but what is being a turtle all about? Get to know our resident turtles better, get hands on with “turtley awesome” Museum objects, and get moving like a turtle during Science Sprouts, where budding scientists ages 2-5 can bring their favorite grown-up to explore and discover. Taking place in the Mosaic Backyard Universe, Science Sproutssparks natural curiosity through imaginative play with crafts, stories, songs, and more! 10:30-11:30 a.m. May 23$14 per child for members of the Discovery Society; $18 per child for all others. This program does not include Museum admission. Guests may purchase same-day admission for $7 per adult. Includes one adult to accompany each child.Advanced reservations are required. We are unable to accommodate walk-ins. Register now Important to Know: We are adhering to social distancing measures during all activities, and the program is limited to 6 adult-child pairs. Masks are required for staff and all participants older than age 2. All participants will be temperature-screened upon arrival. |
Manatee Habitat Renovations Nearing Completion |
Museum staff have been working on upgrades to the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat since February. Renovations, supported by a $400,000 grant from Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, will allow future rehabilitating 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 Bishop was a founding member of the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership in 1998 and has cared for 42 manatees by providing continuing care before they’re returned to the wild. Here’s an update on the work from Jack Balkan, The Bishop’s Chief Facility Officer. Members of the media interested in scheduling a preview tour should contact Remi Gonzalez at 941.216.3460 or via email: RGonzalez@BishopScience.org. |
As the largest natural 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 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 | Manatee Herald-Tribune | Mosaic | NetWeave Social Networking | Northern Trust | SRQ Media | WUSF Public Media |