THROUGH OCTOBER 2008

Exhibits & Related Programs
Special Events
Family Programs
Field Trips
Cafe Scientifiques and Science and Pop Culture
Film Programs

museum info: 612-624-7083
registration: 612-624-9050
www.bellmuseum.org

EXHIBITS & RELATED PROGRAMS

The Lion’s Mane: Science in the Serengeti
Through September 7
Why does a lion have a mane? Does the King of Beasts need his mane for protection, or is it a signal of his power and fitness? University of Minnesota researchers Craig Packer and Peyton West were the first to test these two theories—and their research reveals surprising facts about the mane’s true purpose and its role in attracting a mate.

Mysteries in the Mud: Climate Change in the Big Woods
Through September 7
Free with museum admission
Minnesota’s Big Woods has thrived for hundreds of years in a region dominated by prairies. University of Minnesota geologist Bryan Shuman is discovering that changes in the climate a long time ago may have given trees an advantage over prairies. Tag along into the field and then enter a research lab to discover climate change clues in the layers of mud from the bottom of a lake.

Behind the Diorama Glass
Through September 7
Free with museum admission
The Bell Museum is recognized as one of the great treasure houses of diorama art, with examples that trace the historical development of the diorama from its beginnings in the early 20th century to its peak in the 1940s and 1950s. Using historic images, artifacts, and film, this exhibition takes visitors behind the glass to see the people, processes, and cultural environment that led to the popularity of diorama exhibits.

Art of the Wild – Featuring Minnesota’s Federal Duck Stamp Artists
October 7, 2008 – January 4, 2009
From notebook sketches by 18 th century naturalists to the digitized photographs of today’s most celebrated wildlife photographers, the legacy of natural history art comes alive in Art of the Wild, an exhibit from the Bell Museum’s permanent art collection. The show features more than 100 original paintings, illustrations, watercolors, and photographs from regional and national artists and features such prized works as John James Audubon’s original double-elephant folio prints and easel paintings by museum diorama artist Francis Lee Jaques. The exhibit also celebrates the 75 th anniversary of the Federal Duck Stamp program with original paintings by Minnesota’s 15 duck stamp winning artists— Minnesota has produced more winning artists than any other state.

Opening Reception: Honoring 75 years of the Federal Duck Stamp Program
October 7, 2008, 7 p.m.
$10/free for members
Celebrate the opening of Art of the Wild and Minnesota’s Federal Duck Stamp winners with a reception recognizing William Webster, founder and retired CEO of the art publishing company Wild Wings, and Joe Hautman, the artist featured on this year’s 75 th anniversary Federal Duck Stamp. Webster will discuss his experiences with many of Minnesota’s talented wildlife artists and the role of the Federal Duck Stamp in raising more than $700 million to purchase wetlands for wildlife habitat and conservation. A reception with light refreshments will follow .

The Hidden World of Bears: Photography by Lynn Rogers
Through January 4, 2009
The subject of the popular “The Man Who Walks With Bears” TV documentary, Lynn Rogers,has spent decades learning about wildlife and sharing his findings with the public. As the Wildlife Research Institute’s principal biologist, Rogers uses airplanes, land vehicles, and snowshoes to radio-track more than 100 bears in the vast forests of northeastern Minnesota—studying some for as long as 22 years. Rogers’ remarkable photographs provide an intimate look at the lives of bears and a new understanding of their food habits, maternal care, and social behavior .

Oddities and Curiosities of Nature
Through January 4, 2009
The bizarre and the fantastic take center stage as the museum brings out the most unusual specimens from its scientific collections to illustrate the breathtaking diversity of life on earth. Be prepared to see a giant clam, a mummified pigeon, a “mermaid” skull, the world’s smallest egg, and killer pinecones.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Discovery Day Camps
Summer 2008
Weekly, through August 29
$225, $200 for members
Summer means ice-cream cones, boat rides, waterslides, and the return of the Bell Museum Summer Discovery Day Camps. These popular weeklong camps—nominated by Minnesota parents for Nickelodeon's 2008 Parent's Pick top summer camp award—are packed with hands-on projects that encourage kids to explore the fields of science, art, and technology. Plus, Bell Museum camps are filled with great summer fun on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. To register, call 612-624-9050.

Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day
Saturday, September 27
Free to Smithsonian Magazine pass holders
The Bell Museum will participate in the Smithsonian Magazine’s fourth annual Museum Day, a day when museums and cultural institutions across the country open their doors free of charge to Smithsonian readers and smithsonian.com visitors. Visitors must present a Smithsonian Museum Day Admission Card to gain free entry at participating institutions. The admission card is available in the September 2008 issue of Smithsonian Magazine; a downloadable version is available on the Bell Museum’s website www.bellmuseum.org or at www.smithsonian.com.

Author Steven Kazlowski on “Facing the Truth of a Warming World”
Thursday, November 13, 2008, 7 p.m.
$7/$5 museum members
Wildlife photographer Steven Kazlowski, whose book, The Last Polar Bear: Facing the Truth of a Warming World, is helping bring world-wide attention to the plight of polar bears as a result of global warming, will speak in the Bell Museum’s auditorium. Kazlowski’s photographs of polar bears trapped on shrinking ice flows have become an iconic visual symbol of possible extinction brought about by global warming. The author will share his images, observations, and stories from his life in the arctic, as well as his ideas on how to reverse the tide of global warming and sustain hope. A reception and book signing will follow. The event is co-sponsored by the Alaska Wilderness League, Como  Park and Conservatory, and Braided River/The Mountaineers Books.

FAMILY PROGRAMS

Nature Play
A series of engaging drop-in family activities held from 1 to 3 p.m. the second Saturday of the month. Enjoy nature related crafts, hands-on science discovery, and museum exploration. Appropriate for families with children ages four to ten.

Trash Art
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Free with museum admission
What can we do with all our trash? What happens to our garbage after we put it in our trash or recycling bins? Bring in stuff from home that you would normally throw away, clean it up, and wear your creativity cap to inspire your artwork.

Behold, the Leaf!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Free with museum admission
Discover how and why leaves change color in the fall through real scientific experiments.

Duck Stamps and Waterfowl Wonders
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Free with museum admission
Become a migrating duck and learn how it stores food and outwits predators, and how humans are working to protect duck habitats through conservation. Create a duck art piece with an underlying message of hope for our flying feathered friends.

Nature Tots
An interactive program for two- and three-year olds and their families held from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. the first Thursday of the month. Activities include music, crafts, games, and nature exploration. Registration is required; call 612-624-9050.

Art in Nature
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Free with museum admission
Explore the many colors, shapes, and textures found in nature through outdoor games and songs. We will make a unique piece of art with bits of nature found outside and in the museum.

Leaf Shapes and Colors
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Free with museum admission
Discover the amazing colors, shapes, and textures of fall leaves. Search for beautiful red, orange, and yellow leaves – then use them to make a colorful craft.

Squirrels: Clowns of the City
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Free with museum admission
Take a trip outdoors to spot some silly squirrels. Discover how this mammal has successfully adapted to city life and learn how it prepares for the winter. Take a trip outdoors to spot some silly squirrels. Discover how this mammal has successfully adapted to city life and learn how it prepares for the winter.

Children's Camps

Fall Discovery Day Camps: Bugs, Slugs, and Spiders
October 16, 17, 2008, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$90/$75 museum members
Get up close and personal with the Bell Museum’s resident creepy crawlies. Campers will explore the secret lives of spiders, giant cockroaches, and humongous millipedes, and learn why worms, bees, and other creatures are vital members of our natural community. Call 612-624-9050 to register. Appropriate for children in grades K-5. Registration is required.

Halloween at the Bell: Animal Haunt and Spooky Flashlight Tour
Saturday, November 1, 2008, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
$7/$5 museum members; Family Pass: $15 (up to six people, pre-registration required)
Don’t put away your Halloween costume just yet — hear spine-tingling animal tales, have fun on a spooky flashlight tour of the museum’s dioramas, and discover nature’s many unexplainable oddities. You’ll have a chance to touch slimy and slithery animals, play games, and win prizes. Call 612-624-9050 to register. Appropriate for children in grades K-5.

FIELD TRIPS

Birds in the City
Friday, September 5, 2008, 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Springbrook Nature Center
Friday, October 10, 2008, 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Wood Lake Nature Center
$10/$7 museum members
Join ornithologist Ann Kessen for a chance to see resident and migrant Minnesota birds before some fly south for the winter months. Bring binoculars for a look at the birds residing in our cityscape and learn to distinguish certain migrating birds passing through the area. Registration is required; call 612-624-9050.

Fall Warbler Migration
Saturday, September 6, 2008, 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Murphy-Hanrehan Regional Park
$10/$7 museum members
Join ornithologist Bruce Fall for a look at the warblers, waterfowl, and songbirds that are either preparing to migrate to a warmer climate, or to stick it out through the cold winter months. Don’t forget your binoculars! Registration is required; call 612-624-9050.

Migrant Birds in the Minnesota River Valley
Saturday, October 4, 2008, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
$10/$7 museum members
As autumn progresses, there is an ever-changing composition of local bird species. Many birds are at the peak of their seasonal migration while others are just beginning to pass through the area. Join ornithologist Bruce Fall to see and study an array of migrant birds. Registration is required; call 612-624-9050.

CAFE SCIENTIFIQUES AND SCIENCE AND POP CULTURE

Café Scientifique: Tiger Moths, Mimicry, and the Mating Game
Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 5:30 p.m., Nomad World Pub
Free
Mimicry is a sophisticated and captivating phenomenon in biology. In what ways have organisms evolved to mimic the perceived characteristics of other living things? Why do Tiger Moths mimic wasps and what role does this ability play in their reproductive success? Join evolutionary biologist and new interim Bell Museum Director Susan Weller for an in depth look at these complex insects.

Café Scientifique: The Science of Music
Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 7 p.m., Bryant-Lake Bowl
$5 - $10: pay what you can
How do humans and animals comprehend music and what role does it play in our evolutionary history? Psychologist Joshua McDermott will discuss how experiments in human and animal perception provide insight into the origin of music.

Café Scientifique: Art and Aeronautics—A Conversation with Tomás Saraceno
Tuesday, October 14, 2008, 5:30 p.m., Nomad World Pub
Free
Artist Tomás Saraceno uses principles from engineering, physics, aeronautics, and architecture in his work to demonstrate the limitless possibilities when solar and human energy combine. As an artist in residence at the Walker Art Center, Saraceno will complete construction on Museo aero solar, a solar-powered sphere made from thousands of reused plastic bags. The Bell Museum and the Walker Art Center are partnering to present a discussion of art and aeronautics with Saraceno and University of Minnesota aerospace engineers.

Café Scientifique: Designing Online Communities
Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 7 p.m., Bryant-Lake Bowl
$5 - $10: pay what you can
Computer science researcher and engineer Joseph Konstan studies the behavior of people as they participate in online communities like MySpace and Facebook. His research is uncovering how human socialization is affected by online communication and how further behavioral science research can help design Internet communities that facilitate positive dialogues about social issues.

FILM PROGRAMS

Click Here for More Information

Summer Sci-Fi Film Series
Research to the Rescue!
Thursdays, August 14–28, dusk
Is your global climate in peril? Got alien invaders? Is a meteor threatening to end civilization as you know it? These campy sci-fi films put researchers up against natural disasters, unexplained phenomena, political bureaucracy, and even romance—will they save the day with science? Join the Bell Museum and Take-up Productions for the second annual Summer Sci-Fi Film Series featuring free outdoor films and related activities.

Films are free and start at dusk—popcorn and soda will be available for purchase. In the event of rain, films will be moved indoors to the Bell Museum Auditorium and begin at 8:30 p.m.

Fantastic Voyage (1966)
August 14
A medical team is miniaturized and injected into a scientist's brain in order to save his life.

The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
August 21
A ferocious dinosaur awakened by an Arctic atomic test terrorizes the North Atlantic and ultimately New York City.

The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961)
August 28
British reporters suspect an international cover–up of a global disaster in progress—and they are right.

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Location: The Bell Museum is located at the corner of University Ave. & 17th Ave. SE in Minneapolis, on the University of Minnesota campus.

Children under 3 & U of M students/staff/faculty: free
Free admission for all visitors on Sundays

Program Registration Policy:
We accept payment for programs requiring advance registration by Visa, MasterCard and Discover. We can1t reserve places without payment. Phone registrations require credit card payment. Send check or money order to the Bell Museum Registration Office, 10 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104.

Museum Information: Call 612-624-7083.
Registration: Call 612-624-9050.

Receive discounts on programs by becoming a Bell Museum member.