Naked Mole-Rat Mold-A-Rama

There's more exciting news this week from Pacific Science Center's Naked Mole-Rat colony. The pups from the two recent litters continue to grow and thrive and explore their surroundings. And now, there's a new way to celebrate these oddly adorable little creatures. Collect your brand new, custom Mold-a-Rama Naked Mole-Rat. Stop by the newest Mold-a-Rama machine near the "Just for Tots" area to make your Naked Mole-Rat for just $3. If you act quickly, you'll also have the opportunity to purchase a signed "birth certificate" by our CEO, Bryce Seidl. There will only be 100 certificates issued and you can pick these up at the Information Desk in Building 1.  Still can't get enough Naked Mole-Rats? You can always keep up with our Naked Mole-Rat colony on our →Life Sciences Blog.

PacSci-Doku: "Rising Sea Levels"

Our latest bi-weekly science word puzzle is all about global warming and its ramifications, especially for those in one small part of the world. Can you solve the "Rising Sea Levels" edition of →PacSci-Doku?

Members Get A Break From The Rain

Looking to escape from the rainy weather? Check out the feature films showing in Pacific Science Center’s →Boeing IMAX Theater, where members always get discounted tickets (or free tickets for Platinum and Titanium members). Where the Wild Things Are: The IMAX Experience is now playing on our 60-foot-high screen. For more information about Membership check our →Membership site or call (206)443-2924.

Life Sciences Research Weekend

Squish strawberries to extract DNA, handle a heart valve, touch a sheep brain, view a virtual snow world. You'll do all this and much more at the third annual Life Sciences Research Weekend, November 6-8. Come face-to-face with real local scientists at Pacific Science Center. During Life Sciences Research Weekend you will experience three days of demonstrations, interactive exhibits and talks for school children, families and citizen scientists interested in learning more about the crucial role of life science research and its benefits. →Learn More

The Art Of Science

One of the more thought-provoking exhibits we've ever presented is currently open in Building 4. Chris Jordan: Running The Numbers is a remarkable collection of large images comprised of thousands of tiny images that represent huge numbers related to how humans consume stuff. But critic Gary Faigin was on KUOW recently to share why this exhibit has artistic merit, even without the larger environmental and social messages. Take →a listen then come see for yourself.

Just How 'Wild' Is It?

Critics have been saying good things about Director Spike Jonze's Where The Wild Things Are. But just how wild are these wild things? Well, Pacific Science Center's Boeing IMAX Theater's screen is six stories tall, so that's a long way from the pages of Maurice Sendak's classic storybook. We recommend children under 11 stick with the book. What are your thoughts about this movie that is sure to become a classic? Drop us a →line. We'd love to know what you think. →Buy Tickets

Happy Birthday To...Us!

This is being posted on Thursday, October 22. That date is very special to those of us who support this wonderful institution beneath the arches. On October 22, 1962 Pacific Science Center was born. It was the day after the Seattle World's Fair ended and the Science Center began its work as a not-for-profit science institution. Forty-seven years later we're still going strong, inspiring a lifelong interest in science, math and technology. Also on this date in 1998, Pacific Science Center's Boeing IMAX Theater opened for the first time. Over the years millions have come to watch in awe as images move across the giant screen. Science fiction, documentaries, travel adventures, animated fun – these films have opened our minds to new possibilities and provided new insights into life's many mysteries. To everyone who has supported us over the years, thank you very much. Here's to many more years of discovery!

Field Trip Assistance Available

Thanks to generous support from Bing^®, the new decision engine from Microsoft, Pacific Science Center is pleased to announce a School Group Visit Assistance Program for the 2009-2010 school year. →Read on to learn if your school qualifies, then make plans to visit us under the arches and bring some discovery to your students this year.

Corporate Member Weekend

Join us for the Third Annual Corporate Member Weekend this Saturday-Sunday, October 24-25. If you're an employee of a Corporate Member, present your employee badge for free exhibit entry for you and up to four family members all weekend long. Discounts on IMAX films will also be available and don't forget to stop by the Membership office to sign up for your own membership at a 20% discount! →Learn More

The Poetry Of Spooky Science

Megan Nelson is a member of Pacific Science Center's extremely talented and creative marketing team and in her spare time likes to write poetry. Inspired by our two annual Halloween-related events, she penned the following. We share it here in hopes you, too get inspired and come join us during this fun, spooky time of year.

Are you ready for costumes? Are you ready for fall?
For kids home, for candy, for doing it all?

Back to classes and blankets and pumpkin pie eating,
Hot chocolate and jackets and yes-trick or treating!

As young ones prepare their Halloween attire,
Wait before you call your favorite sitter for hire.

Does a night off sound attractive to you?
Well, good - we thought it did, too!

The Annual Halloween Sleepover Event
will entertain those on break without leaving you spent.

It's at the Science Center the night before Halloween
So your goblin and princess won't miss the candy scene.

Halloween fun awaits you on the Eastside, too!
Haunted Hikes are back at the Mercer Slough!

Check out the fun spooky science in store,
In Seattle and Bellevue - it's Halloween discovery galore! →Learn More

PacSci-Doku: "Boost Into Space"

Our latest bi-weekly science word puzzle is all about space travel, but not the kind we normally think of. Can you solve the "Boost Into Space" edition of →PacSci-Doku?

Slough News: Environmental Open House

The →Olympic Park Institute and Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center are hosting an open house for educators coming up next Monday, September 28, 5-6 p.m. Both programs instill an understanding of and appreciation for nature, they increase scientific literacy and comprehension of environmental issues, and they prepare students for a life of environmental stewardship. For more information contact Eva Foster (efoster@naturebridge.org) or call (206)382-6212 ext. 14. See our →Web site for directions to the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue.

Slough News: Discover The Slough At Night

One of the most popular activities at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue is back for another season. Slough Sleep-Ins are an overnight adventure for students in grades 1 through 4. Play games, venture out on a night hike and conduct a series of experiments in our lab. Sleep over in one of our brand new classrooms and then explore the Slough by day during a search for birds and animals. Wrap up your Mercer Slough experience by using nets and our video microscope to discover the creatures that live underwater. →Learn More

Sneak Peek For Members

This fall is a great time to be a Pacific Science Center member. All members are invited to the exclusive exhibit preview of Animation and Chris Jordan: Running the Numbers on October 2. And members can watch the special IMAX double-feature Van Gogh: Brush With Genius and The Old Man And The Sea (opening September 26) for free using their IMAX passes! Purchase or renew your membership →online or call the Membership Office at (206)443-2924 to be a part of all that's happening this fall.

Free Educator Open House

It's time again for another open house for area educators. Saturday, Oct. 3 you will tour our newest exhibits, →Animation and →Chris Jordan: Running The Numbers. You'll also get to meet Chris Jordan himself, a Seattle artist whose provocative works are changing the way we view the world. Plus, check out the double feature of Van Gogh: Brush with Genius and The Old Man and the Sea and preview scenes from upcoming films Disney's A Christmas Carol: An IMAX 3D Experience and Hubble 3D. That's Saturday, Oct. 3. We hope you can join us! →Learn More

Two Exhibits, One Price

Pacific Science Center's exhibit halls and Eames IMAX Theater reopen this Saturday (9/26/09) after two weeks of repairs and maintenance. We also initiate our new hours – 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. weekends, closed most Tuesdays. All of this has been in preparation for the arrival of two new exhibits: →Animation and →Running The Numbers. Entry to both is included with the price of general admission - FREE for Pacific Science Center members. One will change the way you view animated films, the other the way you view the world! We hope you can join us for both starting Oct. 3.

IMAX News Abounds

The hottest movie in America right now is playing at Pacific Science Center's Boeing IMAX Theater. Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs is packing theaters across the country. But if you want to see it on the biggest screen in town and in stunning IMAX 3D, you know where to go. →Learn More

Double Feature Added
Starting this Saturday, Sept. 26 we add a great double feature to our line-up at the Boeing IMAX Theater – Van Gogh: Brush With Genius along with The Old Man And The Sea. A single ticket gets you both films. →Learn More


Eames IMAX Theater Is back!
Pacific Science Center's Eames IMAX Theater reopens this Saturday with two exciting films – Dolphins and Africa's Elephant Kingdom. Tickets for both films are →now on sale.

PacSci-Doku: Knowing Your Place

Our newest bi-weekly science word puzzle is all about knowing where you are on our planet. Easy? Maybe not. Can you solve the "Knowing Your Place" edition of →PacSci-Doku?

Mole-Rat Pups At One Month

This week marks two milestones for our naked mole-rat pups – their eyes have opened and they will soon be completely weaned from their mother's milk. Get the update from our →Life Sciences Blog.

Around The Americas Makes Sailing History

The crew aboard the 60-foot vessel Ocean Watch sailed into the history books this past week when they finished their transit of the Northwest Passage. Learn more about their feat in this →log entry then follow the rest of their 13-month adventure as they sail around both North and South America to help raise awareness of the problems facing the world's oceans.

PacSci-Doku: Ancient Predator

Our newest bi-weekly science word puzzle is scary. It's all about a 'new' prehistoric critter with the name Predator X. Can you solve the "Ancient Predator" edition of →PacSci-Doku?

Going Orange For Hunger Awareness

Pacific Science Center's famous arches will glow orange during September as part of Hunger Action Month. →Learn how you can help this annual drive to support those in need in our community.

Slough News: Teen Interns Wanted

As students head back to school around the area we are once again actively recruiting local teens for the Lake Washington Watershed Internship program. The program operates in Bellevue, Renton and South Seattle. This unique year-long mentoring internship satisfies service learning hours and gives teens real, in-the-field experience with scientific testing methods at local creeks. Our main mission is to give teens the tools to become informed citizens in their community. Along with being fun and educational, this program is a great enhancement to a college or work resume. →Learn More

Science On Wheels At Bumbershoot

Our Science On Wheels vans have been busy this summer, but it's not over yet! We're still parked all over the place! We hope you can stop by and say hi as our crew takes part in the annual Bumbershoot celebration at Seattle Center. Our Blood and Guts van will be on hand with real human organs! No, it's not some scary pre-Halloween exhibit. It's all about understanding how the human body works. Bring your questions and curiosity and join us this Labor Day weekend for some fun discovery! Look for us in the Center House.

Over The Moon For The African Luna

We have some new residents in Pacific Science Center's famous Tropical Butterfly House. These are moths known as the African Luna, or Moon Moth and they are gorgeous! Yellow/green in color, with spectacular long tails and eyespots, these nocturnal moths often rest with their wings open and tails crossed. Check them out on our →Life Sciences Blog then stop by for a personal introduction.