Located in Downtown Des Moines, SCI is a center devoted to lifelong learning that features a variety of interactive learning experiences and fun for participants of all ages!
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Follow us on Twitter - @sciowa & Instagram - @sciowa. Experience the Science-Surrounds-Us-All Actuality at this 110,000 square-foot creative lifelong learning center in the heart of Downtown Des Moines. By placing the power of learning in the hands of the visitor with interactive experiences for all ages, the emphasis at SCI is less on what to learn and more on how to learn. About the IMAX Theater: SCI's six-story dome screen wraps you in larger-than-life images that surround your field of view and envelop you in the action. The 12,000-watt digital surround system lets you hear everything from a tiny drop of rain to a huge clap of thunder with crystal clarity. Challenge your sensory perception with a uniquely immersive movie experience! The Blank IMAX Dome Theater may show films outside SCI's regular facility hours. View films and showtimes at www.sciowa.org/imaxshowtimes
Operating as usual
NASA just announced the 18 astronauts that will train for the Artemis moon missions - including Raja Chari, who grew up in Cedar Falls, Iowa!
It is part of the human spirit to explore.
Today, we’d like to introduce you to our Artemis team — the initial team of NASA Astronauts who will help pave the way for our next human missions on and around the Moon: youtu.be/BC5khqpKovU
It's Storytime with SUE! This week's guest readers are WHO-HD Channel 13 Meteorologist Amber Alexander and SCI vice president of science learning Renee Shull-Harmon.
Our featured books are:
- "Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist" by Linda Skeers and read with permission of Sourcebooks Explore.
- "Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp" by Carol Diggory Shields read with permission of Candlewick Press.
So impressive!
Gitanjali Rao is a 15-year-old scientist and inventor who knows that young innovators are crucial to solving the world's next big problems. #ScienceIsEssential
Meet TIME's first-ever Kid of the Year: a 15-year-old scientist and inventor who uses technology to tackle issues ranging from contaminated drinking water to cyberbullying.
It's a comet! It's an asteroid! It's... a pre-Apollo-era rocket booster?
The artifact, which originally left the planet in September 1966, has been recaptured by Earth's "sphere of gravitational dominance" until March 2021.
In 1966, NASA launched Surveyor 2 to the Moon. Now its rocket booster has apparently returned to near-Earth space.
As we celebrate 50 years of inspiration and impact at SCI, please join us in our efforts to create a community that is engaged and inspired by science.
This #GivingTuesday, we invite you to participate in our "Science is Essential Challenge!"
Make an individual donation OR amplify your impact by creating a personal SCI fundraising page and becoming a STEM Champion. Our goal is $25,000 before the end of the year!
Learn more about how the SCI team has adapted and innovated to meet the needs of our community - and make your contribution at https://p2p.onecause.com/scienceisessential
#ScienceIsEssential
The Science Center of Iowa prides itself on being a safe space.
"Having a place where individuals feel welcome to address these difficult conversations is really important," said Renee Harmon, the vice president of science learning.
That’s why the SCI is in a unique position to host relevant conversations on topics such as race and mental health.
We're celebrating 50 years of inspiration and impact by sharing stories of how SCI was established, grew and continues to serve the next generation. Learn more on our blog at https://bit.ly/379Fvtk
#SCI50th
Dino-mite prize pack alert!
Snap a #SelfieWithSUE for a chance to win a one-year SCI membership and a $200 Catch Des Moines VISA gift card!
Winner will be chosen at random the week or January 11. Details ar www.sciowa.org/sue
#SUEatSCI #CATCHdsm
Forget Black Friday... We're joining NASA Universe to celebrate BLACK HOLE FRIDAY!
Want to get up to speed on black holes? We’ve got you covered! A black hole is an object so dense that not even light can escape it. The “surface” of this cosmic object is called the event horizon, where you’d have to go faster than light — which is physically impossible — in order to escape the black hole.
Two main types of black holes have been extensively observed — stellar-mass and supermassive. The type of black hole depends on how much stuff is crammed inside it. Stellar-mass black holes can be tens of times the mass of our Sun and form when a huge star runs out of fuel. Its core collapses under its own weight, may (or may not) trigger a supernova explosion and whatever’s left is crushed into a black hole.
Supermassive black holes, on the other hand, can be millions to billions of times the mass of our Sun! Most reside in the centers of large galaxies and scientists are still trying to figure out how they form. We do know that they’re present during the earliest days of a galaxy’s lifetime.
There *should* be a class of black hole somewhere between the stellar and supermassive types. While some evidence of this “intermediate mass” black hole type has been found, they seem to be especially shy than the others! #BlackHoleFriday⚫️
This Thanksgiving Day, we're feeling especially thankful for our amazing volunteers!
Our November Volunteers of the Month are the beekeeping mother-and-daughters trio Susan, Bethany and Abigail Kelly! The Kelly family has been volunteering for SCI as beekeepers since July 2019. Since then, they have kept our bees happy and healthy with their combined 220 hours of service!
Here's what Susan, Bethany and Abigail had to say about why they volunteer with SCI:
"I love seeing how different the bees at the science center from the bees at my house half an hour away. The truly urban bees build their hive a lot different from my personal bees. I also love helping the science center provide an opportunity for children and adults to learn from the bees through observation." -Abigail Kelly
"I love being able to share my passion of bees to people all across Iowa and even people from out of state. I love being able to help an institution that I got to go to often during my childhood grow and expand its knowledge." -Bethany Kelly
"I love seeing the inner workings of SCI. I have taken my children to SCI since 2003, so I feel like I know every part of SCI, but there is so much that goes into making SCI work that regular visitors never see. As a volunteer, the staff provide the volunteers wonderful opportunities to grow in their areas of interest." -Susan Kelly
Take a trip through your imagination for today’s Storytime with SUE! Miss Mary from the Des Moines Public Library reads "That's What Dinosaurs Do" by Jory Johns and "We Are the Dinosaurs" by Laurie Berkner. (Read with permission of HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster, respectively.)
What's more socially distanced: Going to space or traveling through time to the Jurassic? Do both - and more - at SCI this weekend!
Here are our Thanksgiving Week hours:
- Wednesday, November 25 - 9:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:00-4:00 pm
- Thursday, November 26 - Closed
- Friday, November 27 - 9:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:00-4:00 pm
- Saturday, November 28 - 9:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:00-4:00 pm
- Sunday, November 29 - 9:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:00-4:00 pm
Get tickets and learn more about our COVID-19 safety precautions at www.sciowa.org
This month marks 20 years that humans have lived aboard the International Space Station!
In those two decades, the ISS' microgravity lab has hosted nearly 3,000 research investigations performed by scientists in more than 108 countries.
The ISS has hosted nearly 3,000 investigations. These are their biggest findings.
Need a laugh?
An inter-species chest bump, ill-timed golden showers, and more comedic bounty from nature.
Since the beginning of this pandemic, our decisions have been rooted in science, and the safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff has been our top priority.
At this time, we remain open on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays as we continue providing a safe way for individuals and families to experience science learning together!
Here's what you can expect on your visit to SCI:
• REQUIRED FACE COVERINGS - Face coverings are required for all visitors ages 2 and up. If you don't have a face mask, one will be provided.
• HEALTH SCREENINGS - All visitors will have their temperature checked and answer health-related questions prior to entering the building.
• REDUCED CAPACITIES - Attendance is limited to 25% of our capacity in two 3-hour timeslots to ensure space for distancing. Advance tickets are required.
• ENHANCED CLEANING PROTOCOLS - Staff and volunteers are continually cleaning exhibits and public spaces, and between timeslots, the building is cleared for deep cleaning.
• RESTRICTED ACCESS TO HIGH-TOUCH EXHIBITS - We have adapted many of our exhibit experiences to reduce the spread of germs, but two of our most high-touch exhibits (When Things Get Moving and Smal Discoveries) remain closed at this time.
Learn more at www.sciowa.org/reopening
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Tune in starting at 3:15 p.m. EST and get ready to #LaunchAmerica! Join us for live coverage of SpaceX Crew-1, the first crew rotation flight to the International Space Station by a U.S. commercial spacecraft. The Crew Dragon 'Resilience' will carry astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Shannon Walker of NASA and Soichi Noguchi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) to the station. Liftoff is now targeted at 7:27 p.m. EST, Sunday, Nov. 15 from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Tomorrow, these four astronauts are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station on #CrewDragon, the first crew rotation flight by a U.S. commercial spacecraft! 🚀
Let's get to know your crew (from left to right):
- Michael Hopkins is commander of the Crew Dragon spacecraft and the Crew-1 mission. Born in Missouri, Hopkins was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2009. He spent 166 days in space as a long-duration crew member of Expeditions 37 and 38 and completed two spacewalks totaling 12 hours and 58 minutes.
- Victor Glover is the pilot of the Crew Dragon spacecraft and second-in-command for the mission. He also will be a long-duration space station crew member. The California native is a naval aviator and was a test pilot in the F/A‐18 Hornet, Super Hornet and EA‐18G Growler aircraft. This will be his first spaceflight following his selection as an astronaut in 2013.
- Shannon Walker is a mission specialist for Crew-1. Once aboard the station, Walker will become a flight engineer for Expedition 64. A Houston native, Walker was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004. She spent 161 days in space as a crew member of Expeditions 23 and 24, conducting more than 130 microgravity experiments during her stay.
- Soichi Noguchi will be a mission specialist for Crew-1 as well as a long-duration crew member aboard the space station. A native of Yokohama, Kanagawa, Soichi will be the first international crew member on Crew Dragon and the first international partner astronaut to fly aboard three types of orbital spacecraft.
#LaunchAmerica liftoff is targeted for 6:49pm CST with live coverage beginning at 2:30pm here: https://bit.ly/3nmsi78
Unfortunately, we have to postpone today's Storytime with SUE. Please stay tuned for a future date and time!
In the meantime, you can explore dino-themed books in the Des Moines Public Library's collection at www.dmpl.org – and don’t forget to reserve tickets to meet SUE the T. rex at www.sciowa.org
Last weekend, this group of furry friends from Puppy Jake Foundation visited SCI as part of their training to become service dogs for wounded military veterans.
Thank you to this organization and these volunteers, but most of all, thank you to all of the servicemen and women who have served and sacrificed for our freedom. We salute you!
#veteransday
Christmas lovers, rejoice... Science is on your side!
"Bringing out the boughs of holly now -- even as you're still putting Halloween decorations away -- may make you a happier person, experts say."
Experts weigh in on the psychology of Christmas, design tips.
FINALLY: The answer to the question that has been nagging us all! https://bit.ly/31IRRXy
A team of scientists published findings earlier this week in the journal Scientific Reports, in what the researchers think is the first described instance of a bioluminescent gene in chordates, animals that have a cartilaginous skeletal rod supporting their bodies at some stage of their lives.
"Meleah remembers going to the Des Moines Center of Science and Industry on field trips and for fun weekend visits. The first thing she’d see when she walked in the doors was the huge Foucault Pendulum hanging from the ceiling. She remembers hanging out in the planetarium, too. One of her favorite memories, though, were the laser shows the science center used to put on."
We're celebrating 50 years of inspiration and impact by sharing stories of how SCI was established, grew and continues to serve the next generation. Learn more on our blog at https://bit.ly/3k0dCby
#SCI50th
Spooky Science 2020 featured hair-raising experiments, creepy-crawly critters and tons of other ways to enjoy a spooky, science-y and SAFE Halloween!
This Halloween weekend, see the spookiest specimen of all at SCI!
We’re open Friday, Saturday, Sunday AND Monday. Get advance tickets in one of two daily timeslots (9am-12pm or 1-4pm) at sciowa.org
#SUEatSCI #SUEtheTrex #catchdesmoines
Tom Hutchins went from SCI Preschool parent to board chair, helping not only build a vision for SCI but also build a building in downtown Des Moines!
We're celebrating 50 years of inspiration and impact by sharing stories of how SCI was established, grew and continues to serve the next generation. Learn more on our blog at https://bit.ly/37PmCOl
#SCI50th #throwbackthursday
Need some STEM career ideas? Sam has you covered! 🔥
The #YouCanBeABCs with Sam is the pick me up that we could all use right now ❤️ @rsamuelw3
This new discovery could make it easier to support human travel to the Moon and beyond!
NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has confirmed, for the first time, water on the sunlit surface of the Moon.
Making plans for the weekend? Add SCI to the list! 🎃
This weekend only, we're open THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY - with Spooky Science activities on both Saturday and Sunday!
Reserve advance tickets in one of two daily timeslots (9:00 am-12:00 pm or 1:00-4:00 pm) at www.sciowa.org/gettickets
Please help us give a big THANK YOU to our volunteer of the month, Tim Coble!
Tim has been a SCI volunteer since November 2018. Since then, he has donated more than 390 hours of his time in support of our mission - to engage and inspire Iowans along their journey of lifelong science learning.
We consider Tim an honorary staff member. He's always willing to help wherever needed... as everything from Egg Drop physicist to Apollo expert to, now, guardian for SUE the T. rex! He enriches the visitor experience with his infectious passion for learning, good humor and enthusiasm to help.
When asked why he loves volunteering at SCI, he replied: "I like people who are curious and are looking for insight about science and other areas. When somebody learns something new about *anything,* it makes my day."
Thank you, Tim!
Six years ago, we hosted a different dinosaur exhibit and challenged some community members to pronounce their unique names.
Do you recognize some of these faces?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9KRCDFQ9Qs&feature=em-comments
“Ultimate Dinosaurs” reveals a new breed of dinosaurs that evolved in isolation in South America, Africa and Madagascar – dinosaurs that are unfamiliar to mo...
When we opened our "new" planetarium in 1989, a special guest was onsite to cut the ribbon. It’s hard to figure out how he got there, though, considering he won’t officially be born in Riverside, Iowa, until March 22, 2228.
Can you name the fictional intergalactic explorer?
Learn more on our blog at https://bit.ly/2FS4x6B
#throwbackthursday #SCI50th #ThisIsIowa
BIG NEWS in space today: NASA's OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission will land on asteroid Bennu to collect rock and dust samples to return to Earth. It's the first time this maneuver has ever been attempted by NASA!
The spacecraft will attempt its "touch-and-go" at 5:12 pm CDT, and mission coverage starts at 4:00 pm at www.nasa.gov/nasalive
Check out this video from NASA for an in-depth mission overview!
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It's Storytime with SUE! This week's guest readers are WHO-HD Channel 13 Meteorologist Amber Alexander and SCI vice president of science learning Renee Shull-Harmon. Our featured books are: - "Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist" by Linda Skeers and read with permission of Sourcebooks Explore. - "Saturday Night at the Dinosaur Stomp" by Carol Diggory Shields read with permission of Candlewick Press.
Take a trip through your imagination for today’s Storytime with SUE! Miss Mary from the Des Moines Public Library reads "That's What Dinosaurs Do" by Jory Johns and "We Are the Dinosaurs" by Laurie Berkner. (Read with permission of HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster, respectively.)
Since the beginning of this pandemic, our decisions have been rooted in science, and the safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff has been our top priority. At this time, we remain open on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays as we continue providing a safe way for individuals and families to experience science learning together! Here's what you can expect on your visit to SCI: • REQUIRED FACE COVERINGS - Face coverings are required for all visitors ages 2 and up. If you don't have a face mask, one will be provided. • HEALTH SCREENINGS - All visitors will have their temperature checked and answer health-related questions prior to entering the building. • REDUCED CAPACITIES - Attendance is limited to 25% of our capacity in two 3-hour timeslots to ensure space for distancing. Advance tickets are required. • ENHANCED CLEANING PROTOCOLS - Staff and volunteers are continually cleaning exhibits and public spaces, and between timeslots, the building is cleared for deep cleaning. • RESTRICTED ACCESS TO HIGH-TOUCH EXHIBITS - We have adapted many of our exhibit experiences to reduce the spread of germs, but two of our most high-touch exhibits (When Things Get Moving and Smal Discoveries) remain closed at this time. Learn more at www.sciowa.org/reopening
BIG NEWS in space today: NASA's OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission will land on asteroid Bennu to collect rock and dust samples to return to Earth. It's the first time this maneuver has ever been attempted by NASA! The spacecraft will attempt its "touch-and-go" at 5:12 pm CDT, and mission coverage starts at 4:00 pm at www.nasa.gov/nasalive Check out this video from NASA for an in-depth mission overview!
A familiar visitor is coming back to Des Moines... "SUE: The T. rex Experience" will open at SCI on Saturday, September 5 - the first stop on its North American tour! Step into the world of SUE to uncover the mysteries about the life of this fearsome fossil. SUE can't wait to eat, er... meet you.
We haven’t seen them at SCI for a few months, but the meteorologists at WHO 13 News are still working hard to keep us safe and informed! Today, we checked in with Meteorologist Megan Salois to learn more about yesterday’s severe weather, including a new word for many of us: “derecho.”
Rediscover the Science Center of Iowa! Hear from our president and CEO, Curt Simmons, about how COVID-19 has affected our operations and how we've adapted and innovated to re-welcome visitors to SCI. Learn more at www.sciowa.org/reopening We can't wait to see you at SCI!
It's going to be a great month for stargazing! ⭐ Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and Mars will all be close to the moon throughout the month. The annual Persied meteor shower also takes place this month, peaking on August 12. Get all the details in this video from NASA!
You're likely familiar with SCI’s exhibits, planetarium and live science programs, but did you know that SCI offers teacher professional development for educators across the state? Join Jolie, our director of innovative STEM teaching, to learn more about our Pint Size Science program, which has been selected as a Scale-Up program by the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council for the past six years!
As of right now, the Mars 2020 mission is "GO" for launch tomorrow, July 30! #CountdownToMars If conditions stay favorable, the Perseverance rover and Ingenuity helicopter will launch to the Red Planet at 6:50 am CDT. We'll continue to share updates! Tune in here tomorrow morning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIB3JbIIbPU Video: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
From the beginning, our reopening plan has been rooted in science. Part of this plan includes the requirement of face coverings for all visitors ages 5 and up - and here's why! This video visualizes a study from the journal Physics of Fluids entitled "Visualizing the Effectiveness of Face Masks in Obstructing Respiratory Jets." In the study, researchers at the Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering and Computer Science show how effective face coverings are at containing respiratory droplets. These droplets can carry COVID-19 and are a primary source for cross-infection between individuals. By using lasers and a synthetic fog solution, they simulated coughing and sneezing, and we’re able to see how the droplets can be prevented from becoming airborne. While well-fitted homemade masks with multiple layers of fabric and off-the-shelf cone-style masks proved to be the most effective at decreasing respiratory droplets from circulating, all of the coverings tested reduced the speed and range of the respiratory jets. (Without a mask, droplets traveled more than 8 feet; with a bandana, they traveled 3 feet, 7 inches; with a folded cotton handkerchief, they traveled 1 foot, 3 inches; with the stitched quilting cotton mask, they traveled 2.5 inches; and with the cone-style mask, droplets traveled about 8 inches.) This study illustrates why face coverings can prevent you from spreading germs and help protect you and your family from the germs of others! [Note that this study tested masks that are readily available to the general public, which do not draw away from the supply of medical-grade masks and respirators for healthcare workers.] Learn more at https://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/efficacy-facemasks-coronavirus.php - or read the full text of the study at https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/5.0016018 Details on what to expect during your SCI visit can be found at www.sciowa.org/reopening
If you've been to our Makers Studio exhibit, you might be able to imagine the station where you can experiment with making circuits that light up lightbulbs and make other objects move. Since our Makers Studio is currently closed and that hands-on experience is unavailable, this video brings circuitry to you... virtually! You'll just need a computer with internet access and a Tinkercad account. Then, watch this video, and Dan will walk you through everything you need to know. This challenge can be done independently by kids in grades 3 and up and with assistance for younger learners. There are so many ways to use your creativity and experiment with this activity. We can't wait to see what you come up with!
Everyone loves getting new toys! Join Jolie in our Innovation Lab for a special unboxing video of two new 3D printers and learn about all of their cool features that will be used to engage and inspire students, educators and visitors.
What's Up for July? Jupiter and Saturn are bright and visible near the moon, well placed for viewing between 10pm-2am - and Mars rises in the East just before midnight. Get all the details in this video from NASA!
Did you know that Iowa was once underwater? Join Dan in our “What On Earth?” exhibit as we go behind-the-scenes to learn about a fossil in our collection from the Devonian Period 400 million years ago. (Sorry about the momentary camera mix-up! It gets corrected before the 1:00 mark!)
"Oooh, potassium chloride!" This Fourth of July weekend, you're likely to "ooh" and "ahh" at some spectacular firework displays. Join Bridgett to explore what gives fireworks their colors!
We recently installed a new set of functioning bee hives in our What On Earth? exhibit! Go "bee"-hind the scenes with Abigail, the 2019 Central Iowa Beekeepers Honey Queen and SCI's volunteer beekeeper, to learn about the process of setting up an urban bee hive.
Have you ever gone fishing in a pond? We typically see what we pull OUT of the water, but today, we'll take a look at what's happening BELOW the surface of a pond in our director of innovative STEM teaching's backyard. View more virtual resources and at-home activities at www.sciowa.org/athome
Did anyone catch the crystal clear skies last night? Did you wonder what you were looking at? Check out this NASA video to learn about the upcoming Summer Solstice as well as the planets and constellations visible in (almost) summer sky. Video courtesy of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Have you ever watched the raising of a flag? That easy-looking task uses multiple simple machines! Join exhibit coordinator Bridgett to explore the science of this symbolic system - and learn some history of the flag of Des Moines.
Do you love or hate spring thunderstorms? ⚡ Either way, knowledge is power! Here's the science behind all that thunder and lightning. (Special thanks to our friends at WHO 13 News for the cool graphics!)
Do you love clouds as much as we do? Turn your sky-gazing into real science! Download NASA's Globe Observer app and become a citizen scientist by recording clouds in your backyard or neighborhood. Join Patrick to learn more about clouds and how to use the Globe Observer app!
It's National Dinosaur Day! Join Jolie to take a look inside our Innovation Lab as we use a cool piece of maker techology, the Glowforge, to laser cut a dinosaur puzzle. Can you make your own dinosaur model at home using things found in your recycling bin? Gather a variety of items like plastic lids, empty milk jugs, cardboard, straws, paper towel tubes and plastic bottles. You might also need scissors, tape and glue. Investigate different dinosaurs and their unique features. Ask questions and think about how their body structures helped them to adapt to their environment: • Some dinosaurs walked on two feet while others walked on four. How did this affect their overall body shape? • Some dinosaurs had large heads with lots of teeth while others had much smaller heads. Did this relate to the type of food they ate? • Some dinosaurs had large protrusions like horns, shields or plates. Were these for protection or did they have some other purpose? Design a dino in your head or on paper. Select items from the materials you gathered to assemble a model of your dinosaur. Give your dinosaur a name, and write up a description for it like you might see in a museum!
It's Whooping Crane Day, so today, we're folding paper cranes to bring awareness to this endangered species! The whooping crane is the tallest bird in North America - coming in at approximately five feet tall. Its population reached a low in 1941 - with only 16 documented birds - due to deterioration and loss of wetland habitat. Whooping crane populations are increasing, and though it's rare to see them in Iowa today*, they have historically migrated through our state and will hopefully return someday, thanks to conservation efforts. You can help by being a voice for these birds! Fold a paper crane and share your creations by tagging your photos with #IGiveAWhoop and #GoBeyondwithSCI Find the directions for making your own paper crane at https://www.savingcranes.org/education/origami-cranes/ (*A crane you may be more familiar with in Iowa is the sandhill crane! This species faces similar problems of deterioration and loss of wetland habitat, so conservation efforts support them, too!)
It’s National Paper Airplane Day! Join Bridgett for a behind-the-scenes look at our paper rocket launcher in the When Things Get Moving exhibit – then experiment with making some paper projectiles at home. (If you enjoy folding paper airplanes, you’ll want to tune in on Thursday to learn how to make an origami crane as we celebrate Whooping Crane Day!)
This Memorial Day, we're honoring our military personnel who have lost their lives by learning how to make a red poppy pin! You'll need: red tissue paper, scissors, masking tape, glue, scrap cardboard, a black permanent marker and a safety pin. And learn more about how the red poppy became a symbol of Memorial Day here: https://bit.ly/2XqNVrj
SCI's resident box turtles Lily, Peaches, Charlene and Herman aren't known for being especially speedy... but in this video, we'll learn about what box turtles eat and see who can snarf down their snacks the quickest! Tomorrow is World Turtle Day! 🐢 Share your favorite pics of SCI's resident reptiles in the comments below or post them on Instagram and Twitter and tag @sciowa, and we'll share some of our favorites! 🐢🐢🐢
We continue our turtle highlights as we get ready to celebrate World Turtle Day on Saturday! The Big Sand Mound Nature Preserve is located south of Muscatine, Iowa, along the Mississippi River. It's home to a unique, diverse ecosystem of plants and animals and has among the highest concentrations of endangered species in the state, including the yellow mud turtle and ornate box turtle. Big Sand Mound is the only place in Iowa yellow mud turtles are found. In this clip from our friends at Iowa PBS, Josh Otten, scientist and researcher, and Don Becker, conservation technologist, explain the processes used to track, monitor. and protect these very special turtles.
This "What's Up Wednesday," we're celebrating the upcoming World Turtle Day by highlighting a lesser-known constellation, Keya! The constellation was named by the Lakota Oyate, a Native American tribe. In the Lakota language, the word for turtle is "keya," and the animal has cultural significance because its number of scales - 13 large scales on its back and 28 small scales around its shell - align with the Lakota calendar of 13 months, each with 28 days. Learn more: https://bitly.com/ To locate Keya, (1) find the Big Dipper, (2) use the Big Dipper to find the North Star, (3) extend that same line to Keya, passing Cassiopeia along the way. If you can identify four semi-bright stars in a square shape near the horizon, you've found Keya. At this location and time of year (May in Iowa), Keya is only visible from around 2am to sunrise, so unless you're an earlybird, you may want to just use this video to imagine what the constellation would look like in the night sky!
World Turtle Day is on Saturday, but we’re celebrating all week long! Join exhibit coordinator Bridgett as Snippy, our resident snapping turtle, gets a snack - and learn about some of the other ways we’re celebrating this week!
Experience the Science-Surrounds-Us-All Actuality at this 110,000 square-foot creative lifelong learning center in the heart of Downtown Des Moines. By placing the power of learning in the hands of the visitor with interactive experiences for all ages, the emphasis at SCI is less on what to learn and more on how to learn.
Our History: The pioneering Des Moines Center of Science and Industry opened its doors in October 1970 in Greenwood-Ashworth Park. What started as a Junior League of Des Moines project became one of the first interactive science centers in the world, rising to the forefront of a new wave of learning centers featuring hands-on programs and exhibits.
Over the years, the center gained prominence as its audience expanded and the name was changed to the Science Center of Iowa in 1986 to better reflect its statewide reach. From space science to dinosaurs, SCI was inspiring generations of future scientists and inventors.
In the year 2000, SCI recognized a need to expand in order to meet the changing needs of its Iowa community, and planning began for a new downtown facility. This creative learning center opened its doors in Downtown Des Moines in May 2005 with an innovative, dynamic and changing environment that adapts its experience platforms, theaters and programming to serve future generations. As of 2017, the Science Center of Iowa has served more than five million participants in our informal learning center with engaging educational programs, exhibits and films.
About the IMAX Theater: SCI's six-story dome screen wraps you in larger-than-life images that surround your field of view and envelop you in the action. The 12,000-watt digital surround system lets you hear everything from a tiny drop of rain to a huge clap of thunder with crystal clarity. Challenge your sensory perception with a uniquely immersive movie experience! The Blank IMAX Dome Theater may show films outside SCI's regular facility hours. View films and showtimes at www.sciowa.org/imaxshowtimes
World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
100 Locust StSteven Vail Fine Arts - Project Room DM
1501 Walnut StreetState Historical Society of Iowa
600 E Locust StState Historical Museum of Iowa
600 E Locust StItalian - American Cultural Center of Iowa
1961 Indianola AveContemporary Art Society of New Mexico (CAS)
Albuquerque 87181-0331
Des Moines Art Center Print Club
4700 Grand Ave
Italian - American Cultural Center of Iowa
1961 Indianola Ave
State Historical Society of Iowa
600 E Locust St
Anderson Gallery, Drake University
1310 25th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50311
Anderson Gallery, Drake University
1310 25th St.
