Rumors are spreading that the Science Center is trying to hit 1,000 members in the next week and will announce a launch party for people who “friend” the site.

From the science of chocolate and the physics of rock & roll, to climate change and the future of cancer research, SciFest 08 is a festival where everyone can engage in science.

The heart of SciFest is made up of hour-long sessions presented by world-renowned scientists and experts. All sessions are ticketed separately, so you can choose the topics that appeal to you and put together a personalized Festival package.

SciFest also includes a free showcase of spectacular science demonstrations, experiments and activities throughout the Science Center on all five days. Special Young Scientist Workshops and the SciFest Film Fest in the OMNIMAX® Theater round out the Festival and guarantee there will never be a dull moment at SciFest.

We look forward to seeing you at SciFest 08, October 9-13, 2008, at the Saint Louis Science Center.

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No. 19 never got a chance to fly.

Unlike 11 of his brothers and sisters, No. 19 didn’t get a monkey to ride him into space, or a famous astronaut-turned-politician like John Glenn (his seventh sibling received that honor). No. 19 was always the backup singer, the tester, the assistant.

But on Thursday, No. 19 became a proud symbol of St. Louis aerospace history. The space capsule rode through his hometown to his new home at the St. Louis Science Center.

No. 19 was the second youngest in a family of 20 capsules from Project Mercury, the nation’s first human spaceflight program, which ran from 1959 to 1963. Along with his 19 siblings, Mercury 19 was built by the former McDonnell Aircraft Corp. The others were destroyed or lost on unmanned missions.

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ST. LOUIS — The children made kites in the basement of the St. Louis Science Center on Sunday out of sticks, white trash bags and streamers. Then they took their creations outside, with hopes they would actually take flight — and maybe win a prize for going higher than all the others.

Miles Diekemper, 5, had his sights set high. “I hope I get first place,” he said. His friend Ella Callon, 4, was a bit more realistic: “I hope the wind doesn’t break our sticks,” she said.

The children were participating in the Taiwan Winds Soar in St. Louis event, held over the weekend at the Science Center. The center partnered with the Greater St. Louis Chapter of the Taiwanese Association of America to offer activities celebrating Taiwanese Heritage Week.

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So you think John Cox’s animatronic aliens are scary? Just try delivering an Oscar speech in front of Sean Penn, Meryl Streep and about 40 million TV viewers.
Cox and three colleagues experienced a nightmare come true when they won the 1995 Oscar for visual effects for “Babe.” Cox created the sheep, mice, puppies, chickens and Belgium sheepdog for the family classic.

“You’ve got 45 seconds, and you’re watching this clock count down trying not to get flustered,” Cox said. “That was the scary part. The rest was great. No one there knew us from a bar of soap.

“My mom gave me a little ‘Babe’ pig before I left, and I took that with me and stuck it out the window of the limo. And that instant, everyone knew who we were. Oprah Winfrey walked over and said, ‘Oh, I love that pig.’”

Cox has created plenty of cuddly characters during his 26-year career, but not one of them will be on display this summer at the St. Louis Science Center.

Rather, “Monsters! The Art & Technology of Animatronics” showcases the awesome aliens, cranky crocodiles and diabolical dinosaurs conceived in the John Cox Creature Workshop in Queensland, Australia.

(read entire article)

What’s larger than an atom but smaller than bacteria?…The world of nanotechnology, and it’s part of our everyday life…from flooring materials to your last visit to your dentist, nanotechnology is entering many areas of our life.  Today’s stain resistant clothing, sunscreen lotions, computers, bicycles, and even our daily vitamins are affected by nanotechnology.

The Saint Louis Science Center is one of more than 100 science centers around the country celebrating this phenomenon in a small way this week with NanoDays.

 

Friday, April 4

12pm – The Infinitesimal Fellow, the Miniscule Man, the Undersized Guy, the Minute Male, the Diminutive Dude, CLEANROOM JOE.

 

Saturday, April 5

12pm – Nanotechnology in Everyday Life

 

Both Days

10am – 3pm – Nano Film Festival, including films by the Science Museum of Minnesota and University of California, San Diego. Every hour on the hour.

10:30am and 2:30pm – A brand new “Amazing Science Demonstration,” created by the Saint Louis Science Center.

9am- 3pm – Hands-on nano educational activities

9am- 3pm – Stimulating presentations and discussions about nano research in the area from:

o        Washington University

o        University of Missouri, Columbia

o        University of Missouri, St. Louis

o        University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

 

NanoDays kicks off several months of important nanotechnology events at the Saint Louis Science Center, continuing in May with two NanoFuture Forums, where civic leaders, scientists and the public will discuss the impact of nanotechnology on the environment.

 

NanoDays is part of the National Science Foundation-funded initiative NISE Net, the Nanotechnology Informal Science Education Network.

 

WHEN:  April 4-5, 2008.  9AM – 3PM

 

About the Saint Louis Science Center

 

The Saint Louis Science Center is one of the top five science centers in the United States, serving 1.2 million visitors annually. Recently named one of America’s most visited museums by Forbes Traveler, the Saint Louis Science Center includes a four-story OMNIMAX Theater, the air-supported EXPLORADOME, the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, and the state-of-the-art Taylor Community Science Resource Center. The goals of the Saint Louis Science Center are to educate, inspire and motivate visitors of all ages and engage the community in public dialogue about science-related issues of the day. For more information about the Saint Louis Science Center and its programs, visit slsc.org

 

For additional information contact Beth Bishop, Saint Louis Science Center, (314) 289-1455

The Art & Technology of Animatronics
For the first time outside Australia, movie fans are able to meet their favorite creatures face to fangs at the U.S. debut of MONSTERS! The Art & Technology of Animatronics, which runs May 3 – September 1, in the Science Center’s EXPLORADOME. Created by Academy Award-winning animatronics expert John Cox and his team from the John Cox Creature Workshop in Queensland, Australia, the MONSTERS!exhibition provides a behind-the-scenes look at visual effects techniques and movie animatronics. Visitors can:

• See Selkie the sea lion and other creatures from Nim’s Island, in theaters now
• Maneuver the crocodile tail from Peter Pan
• Check out Inspector Gadget’s gadgets
• See the gorillas from George of the Jungle 2

Hot on the heals of Body Worlds 3, it looks like the Science Center has another “must see” event this summer. 

Even more interesting is there is a seperate web site being developed for the Monsters exhibition (http://icmonsters.com).  Sources in the Science Center say the web site will allow you to design and print out a picture of your own monster.  Very cool.

The film documents Harlin on his journey to the top of Europe?s majestic mountain range, including up-close footage of a real avalanche, unprecedented aerial footage of the mountain range, and a look at the culture of the people who have carved our their lives among the mountains.

The powerful songs of Queen complement the stunning visuals of THE ALPS, and guitarist Brian May?s trademark fluid virtuoso solos can be heard throughout the film, including on orchestrated remakes of favorites such as “Who Wants To Live Forever” and “It’s A Beautiful Day,? and less familiar fare like ?Bijou.?

For the first month of the run, viewers will have the opportunity to register to win two first-class rail passes for Switzerland, courtesy of Switzerland Tourism. Discount coupons for the film are available at METRO Lighting, Hidden Valley and Hampton Inn & Suites St. Louis at Forest Park.

THE ALPS, presented by Holcim, is the seventh film in MacGillivray Freeman?s Great Adventure Film® series of original giant screen productions, based on real-life adventures in remote locations, which celebrate the discovery of the natural world. Photographs and other information relative to MacGillivray-Freeman?s The Alps can be downloaded from their web site at www.alpsfilm.com

For further information, contact:

Trademarks:
Thank you for your interest in covering the Saint Louis Science Center. We ask that you include the full names of our institution: Saint Louis Science Center, OMNIMAX® Theater, and James S. McDonnell Planetarium when writing your story.

Saint Louis Science Center
The Saint Louis Science Center is one of the top five science centers in the United States, serving 1.2 million visitors annually. Recently named one of America?s most visited museums by Forbes Traveler Magazine ? the only museum in Missouri to be named to that list – the Saint Louis Science Center complex includes a four-story OMNIMAX® Theater, the air-supported EXPLORADOME®, the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, and the state-of-the-art Taylor Community Science Resource Center. The goals of the Saint Louis Science Center are to educate, inspire and motivate visitors of all ages and engage the community in public dialogue about science-related issues of the day. For more information about the Saint Louis Science Center and its programs, visit slsc.org

About MacGillivray Freeman Films
MacGillivray Freeman Films is the largest, most experienced independent producer and distributor of giant screen 70mm films in the world. Throughout the company?s 40-year history, its films have won numerous international awards including two Academy Award® nominations for Best Documentary Short Subject for Dolphins and The Living Sea. The company?s hit film Everest achieved unprecedented acclaim and box office success for a large format film and is currently the highest grossing giant screen film of all time. MacGillivray Freeman?s films are known for their artistry and successful blend of education and entertainment, as well as their celebration of science and the natural world.