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Cranbrook Institute of ScienceOctober 2013
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In This Issue
Volunteers
Halloween Science
The Chronicles of Laramidia
Special Opportunity
Dinosaurs-The Lost World
Social Media
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We're Scaring Up Volunteers for Halloween Science!

 

Do you love Science and Halloween?  Just one, or the other? Either way, we can use your skills to help present the wonders of Halloween Science on Saturday, October 19. We can work with you to find a shift and activity to meet your needs. No special skills or costume required but both are welcome. Ages 16 and up are welcome, special permission forms are required for those 18 and under. To find out more, click here.  

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� 2013 Colton Graub

Cranbrook is a place that is full of surprises. Surprises that remind us that what we do has an impact.

 

On Monday, September 16 Institute staff  were greeted by our iconic model Stegosaurus, affectionately known as "Steggy," modeling new fashions.  The ensemble includes stylish leggings, a fashionable eye patch, multiple spike and plate 'scrunchies," tail bracelets, and even an orange tail "cap" with a pom pom on the end of it.  All were hand-knitted by a woman who identified herself in a letter only as "Jenn," who "yarn bombed" Steggy sometime between Sunday evening and Monday morning.

 

Jenn did the project to thank Steggy and the Institute for inspiring her love of science as a child and noted to Steggy "You also gave me a place to be myself. As a girl, I was teased for liking paleontology and wanting to play dinosaurs with the boys."

 

We originally planned to leave Steggy's new clothes on for a week, but decided they were the perfect Halloween costume, so we're leaving them there until October 21.

 

Thank you for thanking us, Jenn, we appreciate it and are glad we made a difference.

 

And, thank you, our Member and supporters. We hope what we have to offer this month inspires you and that you will check out Steggy's new clothes the next time you are at the Institute of Science.

 

Go Science!

Halloween Science is Frightfully Educational and Fun!

 

The science behind the scary returns to Cranbrook during Halloween Science on Saturday, October 19, at 2-4 or 6-8pm. The most popular annual educational experience the Institute offers reveals the science that goes into the scary of Halloween. From the "smoke" of the dry ice, to the hair-raising experience of the Van de Graaff generator, Halloween Science offers a just-scary-enough experience for all ages. This year features Dr. Kelp discussing the results of his expedition in search of living non-avian dinosaurs as well as hands-on science demo stations, craft activities and more. Outdoors, visitors will witness pumpkin pyrotechnics and the Institute's 3-ton trebuchet hurling objects through the air! Costumes are encouraged!

 

Halloween Science tickets for pre-registered attendees are $13 per child and $2 per adult for Institute of Science Members, and  $16 per child and $5 per adult for the general public Pre-registration closes at 5pm Thursday, October 17. Only pre-registered guests are guaranteed a goodie bag.

 

Please note the Institute of Science will close on Thursday, October 16 and will remain closed until the first session of Halloween Science at 2pm on Saturday, October 19.

 

Register online

The Institute Lecture Series Presents: The Chronicles of Laramidia

 

 Ever wondered what goes into mounting an exhibition like Dinosaurs-The Lost World? The Institute's Fall Lecture Series explores the science and art of its current exhibition through the experiences of the curators and artist who contributed to its creation.

 

On Tuesday, October 15, at 7pm, James Gurney, the author and award winning illustrator of the Dinotopia fantasy universe, will present a digital slide presentation that takes the audience behind the scenes to show how he creates his realistic renditions of ancient life. Starting at 6pm, visit the Science Shop prior to this lecture and receive 20% off any Dinotopia book and a free autograph from the author. For more information about Gurney and Dinotopia, visit www.dinotopia.com.

 

Mark your calendar now for Friday, November 1, when the Institute's own John Zawiskie, presents a critical look at the historical development of the asteroid impact theory for the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs in Still the Crater of Doom.

 

Both lectures are free with admission and seating are offered on a first come, first seated basis.

Cranbrook Kingswood Schools Offer Institute Members a Special Opportunity

 

What Astronomer doesn't dream of going into space? In just a couple years Cranbrook Kingswood Schools graduate Cathy Sybert Olkin will be doing just that. The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in Boulder, Colo., where Olkin works as a planetary scientist, recently signed contracts with Virgin Galactic and XCOR aerospace that will send Olkin and her colleagues into space on a commercial spaceship within the next two years.

 

Olkin will visit Cranbrook on Thursday, October 17 and will speak at the Institute of Science at  7pm.  Cranbrook Schools is inviting the first 75 Institute Members who preregister the opportunity to hear Cathy Olkin discuss her adventure! To reserve your seat please call Sara Brantley at 248 645.3245. This event is free.

Dinosaurs-The Lost World Brings the Cretaceous to Cranbrook!

 

The Institute's much anticipated Dinosaurs-The Lost World continues to dazzle our visitors. Taking the visitor back to the Cretaceous Period, The Lost World reveals the incredible diversity of dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and marine reptiles of western North America and includes many specimens never before exhibited in Michigan. Assembled from one of the world's most significant private fossil collections, The Hankla Collection, The Lost World features more than 60 complete skeletal mounts of research quality casts and several real skeletons, five types of fossil eggs, skin impressions, plants, and invertebrates displayed in three galleries covering over 6,000 square feet. Traveling through time guests will marvel at a 36 foot long molded track way of four dinosaurs and traces of other contemporary animals, discover a four- by eight-foot slab of sandstone loaded with real fossil bones preserved in coastal lagoon storm deposits, including numerous Edmontosaurus and T. rex bones and teeth, venture into the children's area where excavation activities focus on the work of paleontologists and geologists, and much more!

 

Dinosaurs-The Lost World is free with admission and runs until June 29, 2014.The Lost World was developed by Cranbrook Institute of Science in collaboration with John and Jack Hankla, who have assembled one of the world's most significant private fossil collections, The Hankla Collection.

 

Dinosaurs-The Lost World is free with admission and is presented by TruVista Wealth Advisors, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial, and supported by ITC, Denso and Meadowbrook Insurance Group.