Two Great Exhibits End Soon

Time is running out to experience two very exciting exhibits at Pacific Science Center. Strange Matter, a look at the fascinating world of materials science, and Exploring Trees Inside and Out both end May 4. In →Strange Matter, inside Building 2, 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, and much, much more. →Exploring Trees Inside and Out can be found in Building 3 and offers family members of all ages a chance to discover the wonders of trees just in time to get out and explore all that nature has to offer during the summer months. Entry to both exhibits is included with the price of general admission and is free for our members.

Up Next: One VERY Fast Exhibit

So, what's coming up this summer under the arches near the Space Needle? The fastest exhibit ever! It's called Speed and it engages visitors in the scientific and human qualities of going fast. VERY fast. Race drag cars, build and race Lego® cars, hit the slopes on the ski simulator, and a whole lot more. As part of this exciting exhibition, Pacific Science Center will be showing the IMAX® film Super Speedway: Racing with the Andrettis. Speed opens May 31. To learn more about Speed, and to watch a short preview video, check →pacsci.org/speed and get set for a wild ride this summer.

A Family Science Adventure

June is just around the corner, and that means the end of Camp-In season 2008. But we plan to end the season with an event sure to excite families. Join us for our first ever Family Camp-In June 7! This Camp-In is the perfect opportunity to bring your whole family to explore Pacific Science Center overnight. Explore our new exhibit, Speed, watch a live demonstration and Planetarium show, sleep amongst the Dinosaurs, and LOTS more! →Click for more information, and to register. Unlike most Camp-Ins, this Camp-In is open to children ages 5 and up. Register soon, spaces are filling up FAST! →Learn More

Thanks, Comcast!

Our friends at Comcast recently produced and aired a very nice profile piece on Pacific Science Center. It features Bryce Seidl, our CEO explaining what we're all about and he has some tips for visitors. If you're new to the area, have never visited or know someone who hasn't, check it out. It's a great introduction to one of the Pacific Northwest's most beloved institutions. We'd like to thank Comcast for their support of our mission of inspiring lifelong interest in science, math and technology. →Watch The Video

This Science Is All Wet!

We have an event coming up that is guaranteed to throw water all over your view of science. It's Marine Exploration Weekend May 15-18. Dive into the fascinating world of marine science with a weekend of fun activities, demonstrations, and special exhibits. Interact with real local scientists while learning about marine life, fisheries, ecosystems, Puget Sound conservation and much more. Details of the event are still being ironed out, so stay tuned for more information and mark your calendar for what promises to be one very damp weekend, regardless of the weather.

Time To Sign Up For Summer Camps!

Summer is fast approaching and that means it's time to plan for camps! This year's lineup for our Camps For Curious Minds is better than ever. But the deadline to get the early registration discount (up to $25 off!) is April 30. Don't delay! →Learn More

Battle Of The Bands: U23D Is Back!

One of the most popular films to play Pacific Science Center's Boeing IMAX Theater has returned. U23D is back and music fans can enjoy a "battle of the bands" with U2 and the Rolling Stones in Martin Scorsese's "Shine A Light." U23D shows Thurs-Sun at 9:45 p.m. through May 4. Shine A Light: The IMAX Experience will continue daily at 4:45 and 7:15 p.m. through May 4. →Check our Schedule

Online Ticket Sales Improve

OK. We admit it. Our online ticketing system hasn't been all that great in the past. But we are very happy to announce an upgrade that is sure to please anyone who's tried to buy a ticket from us through the Web. Some notable features:

• Improved user interface
• Improved browser compatibility (all current versions of IE, Opera, Firefox, Safari)!
• Same day sales!
• Real time sold out messaging!
• Membership sales!
• Member ticket sales including Free Pass redemption for members (with no ticketing fees)!
• Increased number of events (Exhibits, IMAX, Laser shows, lectures, Science with a Twist, and others)!
• Faster transaction processing!

So, thanks for your patience. We hope you find our new system to your liking. →Learn More

Celebrate Earth Day With Us!

Tuesday, April 22 is National Earth Day. Come spend part of that day with us and help bring clean water to Africa and maybe win some neat prizes as well. The producers of Grand Canyon Adventure 3D: River At Risk have announced they will donate one dollar for every ticket sold to the film on Earth Day towards building enough wells to benefit thousands of African school children. This is in cooperation with the →Ryan's Well Foundation, an organization that helps build clean drinking water supplies in developing nations. In addition, at each showing that day, we will have a drawing for a gift pack (over a $125 value) that will include a gift certificate for the Teva 2008 Omnium, a versatile, go anywhere sandal, Teva Headwear, a Grand Canyon National Parks guide book from Lonely Planet Books, and four passes to the film. On top of all that, the film's producer plans to offer to the world a free digital download of its Academy Award-nominated giant screen motion picture The Living Sea during the week of Earth Day, April 21 to 25, 2008. You can find instructions for downloading the film for free at →green.msn.com starting April 21. So, check our →online IMAX schedule and make your plans now!

Let's Root For Trees!

It's all about the environment this month, what with National Environmental Education Week (April 13 - 19), National Arbor Day (April 25) and National Earth Day (April 22). To help celebrate, we've put together a Top 10 list of why we should ROOT for TREES! Plus, we've thrown in a simple little exercise to help you better appreciate our leafy friends. Hug a tree in April? Why not?! →Learn More

Discovery Abounds This Summer!

What are YOU doing this summer? Are you a teen looking for a fun experience with hands-on science, outdoor learning and inspiring kids? Then we have just what you need. The →Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center in Bellevue offers a great summer volunteer opportunity for teens assisting with our summer camp programs. And at our main facility near the Space Needle we offer a Counselor in Training program where teens volunteer with on-site summer camps. Interested? →Learn More

PacSci-Doku: "Need To Reduce"

April is the time of year we celebrate Arbor Day, Environmental Education Week and Earth Day. So, our latest bi-weekly science word puzzle is most appropriate. It's all about using less and helping our favorite planet. Can you solve the "Need To Reduce" edition of →PacSci-Doku?

Foundations of Science Fundraising Breakfast

Please join us for Pacific Science Center's annual fundraising breakfast on May 7. The breakfast is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Pacific Science Center's many effective programs that are making a difference in science education across the state. We hope you will join us for a morning that is sure to inspire you with a new appreciation for the impact Pacific Science Center is having in our community and in our schools. We are excited to announce that our keynote speaker is Dr. Elson S. Floyd, President of Washington State University. →Learn More

Meet Our Newest Board Member

He began his career as an electrical engineer but then changed course and became a lawyer. Now, this Senior Attorney at Microsoft has joined Pacific Science Center's Board of Directors. Meet Douglas Barker, a man of many talents, including guitar playing! →Learn More

Discovering Fossils And Much More

Discovery Corps, the youth development program for high school students at Pacific Science Center, offers a variety of opportunities for these young people to develop job skills and explore scientific fields and career opportunities. Last month, five Discovery Corps members participated in advanced training to prepare them for offering presentations on the topic of fossils, dinosaurs, and paleontology. The training was an intensive, three-day experience including workshops on educational strategies, sessions with speakers, and a field trip to the UW's Burke Museum. One of the students in the group came away with a whole lot more knowledge than she expected, and not all of it about prehistoric facts. →Learn More

Beyond UFOs

The second of our exciting spring sci-fi lectures is set for April 16. This time, astronomer and author Jeffrey Bennett examines the search for extraterrestrial life and its implications for the future of the human race. We promise a lively discussion! →Learn More

Discover Vertical Ethiopia

Reach new heights with our next 21+ event. Climbing, culture, canapes and cocktails! Join us for Science With A Twist: African Ascent! →Learn More

A 'Subtle' Debut At The Laser Dome

Sure, Pacific Science Center is famous for delivering exceptional films at our two IMAX theaters, including the biggest screen in town with a 12,000 watt surround sound system. But our Laser Dome is fast becoming the place to hear some of the best new music anywhere. More and more, some of the hottest bands in the country are choosing to debut their latest work under the arches. Next up: a special laser listening session for the new album from Bay-area indie/electronic/hip-hop band Subtle. At 9:15 p.m. this Friday, April 11, we’ll be debuting their new album, ExitingARM, slated for release on May 13. This event will be the first opportunity to hear the new album in its entirety while Laser Ivan and crew run live laser effects. Co-Sponsored by Lex Records, The Stranger, The Vera Project, 2:30 Publicity, and Pitchfork Magazine, the laser listening session is open to the public and tickets will be available for just $5. Learn more in this →Pitchfork article. Oh yes, Pacific Science Center rocks, in more ways than one. →Buy Tickets

AstroInfo: "The Big Bang Started In Fremont"

Members of our staff spend many hours of their free time learning. Attending classes and lectures, exploring the outdoors, and more to help keep them abreast of new developments and expand their knowledge so they can be better prepared to help our visitors understand science. One recent learning adventure was so profound for one of our planetarium presenters she decided to share it with us. Read on to learn more about mind-boggling computer generated galaxy formation simulations and to find out where it all began. →Learn More

Calling All Informal Educators

Pacific Science Center would like to invite you to a day of learning focused on the use of science notebooks in the classroom, strategies informal educators can use to improve their teaching practice, and increase student knowledge of science content. Join Dawn Sparks as she shares her wisdom on science notebooking. This event is set for May 1, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Pacific Science Center's Discovery Labs located at 200 2nd Avenue North in Seattle. The cost is $35 per person and includes beverages, lunch, and program materials. Clock hours will be offered through the Washington Science Teachers Association. The cost will be $15 for 3.5 hours. Research shows that teachers who have had professional development training in using notebooks positively affects student learning. For more information, contact Sarah Weagraff at (206)443-2886 or sarah_weagraff@pacsci.org. Learn more about science notebooking at the →Washington State LASER site.

What's The Matter??

Our latest featured exhibit, Strange Matter continues to amaze visitors in Building 2. It's an up close and personal look at the fascinating world of materials science. A live science demonstration created just for Strange Matter gets the audience even closer. Read on to learn more about this entertaining and en-'lightening' performance that will have you asking, →What's the MATTER??

A Salute To Our Awesome Members!

April is Member Appreciation Month at Pacific Science Center. It's a chance for us to say Thank You to those who support our mission of science education. Here are the things we will be offering during April for our members:

• Every Saturday and Sunday during the month members can enter through the Member Entrance at 9:30 a.m. instead of 10.


• Members who purchase or renew a membership onsite during April will receive two extra IMAX passes.


• April 7-13 members will receive a double discount in the Explore More Store (20% instead of 10%).


• Onsite drawing for a free gift bag. We will give away four during the month.

→Learn More

Spring Fling 2008

Although you wouldn't know it, what with all the snow we've had lately, spring has sprung and Pacific Science Center is celebrating with our special event, Spring Fling, April 9-13! It's a special extended weekend of activities for the whole family. In honor of Arbor Day and the return of spring; we explore the great outdoors with special animal guests, nature activities, and the Exploring Trees Inside and Out exhibit! In this special event weekend, kids and families will experience an up close encounter with all that Mother Nature has to offer. We hope you can join us starting next Wednesday, April 9. →Learn More

Rolling Stones, Scorsese 'Shine' In New Film

Fans of the Rolling Stones will love our latest IMAX film opening this Friday, April 4. The music is pure Stones and appeals to Stones faithful both young and old. But Shine A Light is much more than a simple concert film. Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese, who has used the band's music in many of his movies, brought together some of the best cinematographers in the business to shoot this tribute to his favorite group. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, and some heavyweight guest stars are shot from every conceivable angle. Be sure to see them all on the biggest screen in town and hear it all on our thunderous 12,000 watt surround sound system. This film is rated PG-13. →IMAX Schedule

Please Share Your Thoughts

Pacific Science Center, in conjunction with the Association of Science-Technology Centers, is working with Reach Advisors, a visitor research firm, to conduct a national survey about what people want from science museums/science centers like ours. As a participating museum in this study, we hope you might be willing to share 7-9 minutes of your time and give us your thoughts in this important survey. Our institution will greatly benefit from this study as well by having access to results from our visitors. In exchange, Reach Advisors will be selecting some of the participants to win gifts ranging from museum memberships to gift certificates to Amazon.com or iTunes. Your individual information will be kept confidential and will not be shared or used for any solicitations. To take the survey, simply →click. If you have any problems with the survey, please feel free to email Susie Wilkening, of Reach Advisors, at Susie@reachadvisors.com. Thank you!

Teen Interns Score Well In Regional Envirothon

Eight of our Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center teen interns recently participated in a regional natural resources competition. Despite some very cold, wet and windy weather, these intrepid teens scored very well with one team advancing to the state finals! Congratulations to all! →Learn More

PacSci-Doku: Knowing What's Up

What is meant when someone asks you, "what's up?" Generally speaking, you are being asked what's new or what's happening. But in our latest bi-weekly science word puzzle, that simple phrase takes on a whole new meaning. Can you solve the 'Knowing What's Up' edition of →PacSci-Doku?

Earth Day Photo Contest

The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies is sponsoring an Earth Day photo contest for middle school students. Interested students are asked to photograph something that is changing in their local environment. They are to take the photo between Tuesday, April 22, and Tuesday, April 29. The change could be occurring in the student's backyard, outside the student's school, in a local park or even off in the distance. Participants must research and write an explanation of the change documented in the photograph. The contest is open to all U.S. students in grades 5-8. Entries must be received by email or postmarked by May 9, 2008. For more information about the contest and how teachers can use it in the classroom, visit →strategies.org/EarthDayPhoto.

Calendar Of Science

April is here and that means it's time to celebrate some science. Such as, the anniversary of the first cell phone call and the first satellite repair job in space. Not to mention the birthdays of the world's most famous chimpanzee expert and a man known as much for his paintings as for his incredible inventions. Discover these and much more in April's →Calendar of Science!