Get Your Hands On Some Strange Matter!

Grab it! Smash it! Squish it! Discover Strange Matter at Pacific Science Center. In this amazing exhibition that runs Feb. 2-May 4, you'll learn why Post-It notes stick and Teflon doesn't, try to smash a pane of glass with a bowling ball, play with liquids that defy gravity, magnify things and see what they look like using the "scope on a rope," see how crystals grow, and check out the lightest solid in the world called "aerogel," also known as "frozen smoke." It's all part of the world of "materials science" which is part science, engineering, applied physics, chemistry, as well as chemical, mechanical, civil and electrical engineering. And just to make things exciting there's plenty of nanoscience and nanotechnology to go around. This is just some of what you'll experience at Strange Matter with more than 40 interactive exhibits. Entrance to Strange Matter is included with the price of general admission. It's free for our members. Come get your hands on some →Strange Matter!

Arches Go Red For Heart Health

Once again this year, Pacific Science Center's famous arches will go red for the month of February. It's part of our commitment to the annual Go Red For Women campaign to promote heart health. So, put on some red and →learn more about healthy hearts!

Calendar Of Science

February is here and that means it's time to celebrate the birthdays of some of the most famous names in science. Perhaps the greatest American inventor, the world's most famous and controversial biologist, not to mention two of the most important astronomers to ever gaze at the stars. All this and more in Pacific Science Center's February →Calendar Of Science!

Sending Teachers To MIT For SEPT

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) hosts a one week program during the summer called the Science and Engineering Program for Teachers (SEPT). The size of the group is generally limited to around fifty teachers from all parts of the world. This year, the MIT Alumni Club of Puget Sound plans to send up to five teachers from Washington state to the program and pay for conference fees, lodging and a travel stipend. This unique educational experience for teachers in grades 5 through is so intense, it has been compared to drinking from a fire hose! The application deadline is March 7. →Learn More

Discover The "Memory Of Water"

On Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 7:00 PM in 131 Bagley Hall at the University of Washington, Professor Thomas Elsaesser from the Humboldt Universität in Berlin and Director of the Max-Born-Institute, a German National Lab specialized in nonlinear optics and ultrafast spectroscopy, will speak about new research results on the most fundamental element of life - water. In his talk, titled, “The memory of water - new insight from a physics perspective”, Professor Elsaesser will discuss the highly unusual properties of water which originate from its molecular structure. In the liquid phase, water molecules form an extended fluctuating network, held together by hydrogen bonds. The structural memory of liquid water represents a most controversial issue, being relevant for understanding its molecular properties and biological and medical function. In this talk, new insight into the femtosecond (1 fs = 1 millionth of a billionth of a second) structural dynamics of liquid water and related processes of energy redistribution and dissipation will be presented.

Become 'Bono's Best Friend'

The newest film now playing at our Boeing IMAX Theater is getting rave reviews. Writing for the →Seattle Times, Ted Fry calls U23D the "ultimate Bono bonding experience." If you've ever been a fan of one of Ireland's most famous exports, or just fantasized about being a rock star, you must see this concert film on the six-story screen with 12,000 watts of surround sound. It's awesome! →Purchase Tickets

Bugs! 3D Returns

One of the most popular IMAX 3D films we've ever shown is coming back. Bugs! 3D is not animation. It's a live-action nature drama filmed in awe inspiring, totally immersive 3D. Shot on location in Borneo and in a specially-built studio in Oxford, England, Bugs! 3D explores the dramatic and savage lives of an Old World praying mantis and a beautiful butterfly. The 40-minute film combines incredible footage with cutting-edge IMAX technology to deliver a fantastically entertaining and enlightening experience about some of the little guys in life. Check our →theater schedules for show times.

The Science Of Butterfly Wings

Scientists continue to research how color is created on butterfly wings. One physicist has now clarified how light is refracted through pigments and nanostructures on wing scales. This new research may lead to new color methods that may be applied to paint, varnish, cosmetics, packaging materials and clothes. Read more about it in this →Science Daily article then come do your own research up close and personal in our →Tropical Butterfly House.

Going Large In A 'Small World'

Speaking of butterfly wing scales and nanostructures, Issaquah photographer Charles B. Krebbs took 9th place in the →2006 Nikon Small World competition with images of those tiny structures. The annual microscopic image competition attracts photographers from all over the world. In 2005 Krebbs came in first with a picture of the →head of a house fly. In 2007 Charles again placed in the top 10, this time with an →image of marine diatoms attached to red algae. You'll have the chance to view all of the top finishers again this year as Pacific Science Center again hosts the Nikon Small World Exhibition starting March 14. Entry is included with the price of general admission, it's free for Pacific Science Center members.

PacSci-Doku: Strange Matter

The latest version of our bi-weekly science word puzzle is priceless. Or at least very expensive. It ties in nicely with our newest exhibit opening February 2. See if you can solve the 'Strange Matter' version of →PacSci-Doku!

Destination Discovery Trip Talk

Find out more about our upcoming Destination Discovery trips at a free informational event on Thursday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m. There are two travel opportunities with Pacific Science Center still to come in 2008: Dinosaur Digs, Gushing Geysers & Towering Teton: A Family Adventure with Pacific Science Center (July 13-19, 2008) and The Legendary Trans-Siberian Railway: From Beijing to Moscow (September 1-19, 2008). If you are interested in learning more about these incredible trips, this is the perfect opportunity to ask questions directly to the trip guides and to get to know your potential fellow travelers!

The Trip Talk with take place in Pacific Science Center's Rotary Discovery Labs. Light refreshments will be provided, so please let us know if you plan to attend by contacting us at (206)443-3642 or →travel@pacsci.org.

Can't make it to the Trip Talk? Detailed information about all of our trips is available →online or by contacting us at the number listed above. We hope you'll join us at the Trip Talk and on one of our upcoming trips!

Sneak Peeks For Our Members

There are many benefits to becoming a Pacific Science Center member. Free admission to our regular exhibits, IMAX passes, discounts on special exhibits, knowing you're helping fund science education, just to name a few. But we also give our members the chance to see our new exhibits before the general public and give them a behind the scenes look at how it all works. For example, we have member previews coming for our next new exhibits, →Strange Matter on February 1 and →Exploring Trees Inside and Out on February 8! Strange Matter is all about materials science with over 40 interactive exhibits that will change the way you look at everyday stuff. Exploring Trees Inside and Out is a wonderful interactive exhibit for all ages that will leave you with a better understanding of the important roll these magnificent giants play in our world. Remember, a Pacific Science Center membership lasts for an entire year and more than pays for itself. →Come join us!

Exploring Trees Inside And Out

Since Washington is the Evergreen State, it's fitting that a brand new exhibit makes its debut under the arches near the Space Needle. Exploring Trees Inside and Out will give you a whole new appreciation for all trees, evergreen and deciduous. Designed for the young and old, this interactive exhibition will help you discover a whole new leafy world that's all around us. Make plans now to visit Exploring Trees Inside and Out beginning February 9. Entry is included with the price of general admission. It's free for Pacific Science Center members. →Learn More

Meet Our Butterfly Of The Month

Inside our famous Tropical Butterfly House it's not too difficult to label trees and plants to explain their role in the warm, humid ecosystem. But labeling the star attractions? Not so easy. To help our many visitors have a better understanding of all those marvelous, fluttery creatures we now present our Butterfly of the Month! Each month we'll feature a different specimen and offer up some fun facts. So, get acquainted with our first Butterfly of the Month: Morpho peleides - Common Blue Morpho. Then stop by for a close encounter. →Learn More

Climate Change: A Wakeup Call

As part of Pacific Science Center's commitment to advancing the public’s understanding of science and contributing to the development of a scientifically literate society, we support and sponsor a number of lectures in the Seattle area. A new series beginning late this month focuses on one of the most important issues of the day: climate change. Explore critical issues surrounding global warming during this lecture series sponsored by the UW's Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO) and Pacific Science Center. It begins with King County Executive Ron Sims presenting his vision of how our region can and must address the social, economic and health inequities of climate change impacts, and what King County government is doing to reduce these disparities in our communities. We hope you can join us for these important discussions. →Learn More

2008 Science Ed. Advocate Awards

Washington State LASER, with support from the Boeing Company, is pleased to announce the Second Annual Science Education Advocate Awards. This award recognizes outstanding individuals, organization, and/or project teams who have exhibited exceptional support and advocacy for science education in the State of Washington. Deadline to apply is Jan. 18, 2008. →Learn More

Register Now For Break Camps

School is back in session after the holidays, but winter and spring breaks are just around the corner. That means now is the time to register for our break camps. These exciting camps are always popular and have a tendency to fill fast. So, if you want to make sure your young learners have fun and discovery-filled breaks this year, sign up now. We promise they won't be disappointed! →Learn More

Discovery Galore In 2008!

It's a new year and those of us who work beneath the arches near the Space needle are giddy with anticipation as we prepare some wonderful exhibitions and events this year. →Read on for a sneak peek at just some of what we have planned. Remember, if you enjoy lifelong learning and sharing it with friends and family, a Pacific Science Center →membership will more than pay for itself over the next 12 months. We hope you can join us for what promises to be an exciting year of discovery!

Seductive Science

Explore the science of seduction at our next 21+ event! Sip on flirty cocktails, enjoy delicious aphrodisiac-inspired hors d'oeurves and desserts, learn about the science of human relationships, discover what your lip print says about you, and see a special KISS laser show. All this and more at →Science with a Twist: Sultry Science!

Science Ed. Instructional Materials Showcase

Here's a reminder for science educators about a great event coming up later this month. It's the tenth Washington State LASER Instructional Materials Showcase on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at the Spokane Convention Center. This is a one-day opportunity for teachers, administrators, and curriculum directors to participate in interactive sessions demonstrating selected exemplary elementary, middle, and high school inquiry-centered science instruction materials that have been endorsed by the National Science Foundation. →Learn More

The Butterfly Effect

These days, companies are trying harder and harder to develop products that cut down on energy use. Turns out Mother Nature may help in this effort. Qualcomm has recently developed a new energy-efficient display technology that uses the same phenomenon that gives butterfly wings their color. Fascinating stuff! Learn more about it in this →EcoGeek article. Of course, the best place to see this effect up close and personal is Pacific Science Center's Tropical Butterfly House. It's now open with a constant temperature of about 80 degrees to help relieve winter time chill.

PacSci-Doku: Winter Crystal

We have a brand new version of our bi-weekly science word puzzle that will chill you. It's right in line with this time of the year and with recent Northwest weather events. Put on your thinking caps and gloves and boots and try to solve the 'Winter Crystal' version of →PacSci-Doku!

Science On Tap: Stem Cell Research

Stem cell research, one of the most complex issues of our time and the topic for the next Science On Tap Queen Anne. Our speaker is Professor Marshall S. Horwitz of the UW School Of Medicine who will discuss research into stem cells and cancer. Guests are urged to arrive early as this is sure to be a well-attended and lively discussion. Join us Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at T.S. McHugh's. →Learn More

'Colossal' Exhibit Comes To A Close

It has been one of our most popular exhibits ever, but now it must close. Colossal Fossils: Dinosaurs Around The World has shown some of the largest dinosaur specimens ever found as well as some of the smallest, including dinosaur eggs. For those who have ever wondered how paleontologists search for the fossils that fascinate so many, this is your last chance to get hands-on with a dig and learn how it's done. This wonderful exhibition closes Sunday, January 6. Entry is included with the price of general admission. It's free for Pacific Science Center members. →Learn More

My First IMAX Film!

One of the most frequently asked questions we get goes something like, 'when can I bring my young child to see an IMAX film?' The answer varies from film to film and from child to child. If they have trouble sitting still for a half hour to 45 minutes, or if they frighten easily, it's probably best to wait until they get a little older. But if you think your young learner is ready to try one of these fascinating films, then we have one showing now that is perfect. Beavers runs 31 minutes and tells the story of several beaver families and how they build and defend their unique home. Plenty of non-scary action to hold the attention of young ones, and not too long if they get restless. A great way to begin a lifelong interest in learning with the help of the giant screen!

Top 2007 Scientific Breakthroughs

Stem cell research, tiny transistors, and new views of dinosaurs are among the great scientific breakthroughs last year. For a wrap-up of what science has been up to over the past 12 months, check out this →article from Wired.

EngineerGirl! Essay Contest

The future of energy is the topic of the 2008 EngineerGirl! essay contest. All students in grades 3 through 12 are encouraged to submit entries, whether on their own or as part of a class activity. The deadline is March 1, 2008. Contest details are available at →engineergirl.org, along with the imaginative essays that won last year's contest. This is a challenging competition for young learners and a great experience. One of our Discovery Corps students placed second in her category last year. You can read about her experience →here. Do you know someone who might be interested in this competition?

Tide Pool Improvements

Here is some information for visitors: Pacific Science Center's tide pool model will be closed January 7 – 11. After many years of helping to explain some of the intricacies of Puget Sound wildlife, the display is in need of repair. If all goes according to plan, it should be back in operation and better than ever for the weekend of January 12-13.