Cranbrook Institute of Science

March 2015

CIS Membership

Become a Member

Support the Institute

In This Issue

Great Lakes Water Forum

Anatomy of an Algal Bloom

Maple Festival 2015

Cranbrook Cares

Cranbook Space Odyssey

Scouting Programs

Summer Camp 2015

Social Media

Institute Closures

Please note we are closed to the public on Saturday, March 6, and Saturday, March 22. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Banner Image is

Spring ahead this weekend as we enter daylight-saving time, and look ahead as we move closer to spring!

On March 6, visitors are offered the chance for free admission, AND a free water forum after 5pm. The forum will feature representatives from local watershed organizations who will discuss pollution in the Great Lakes and offer tips for helping to protect our local waterways. This event complements the Plastic Waters exhibition which runs through mid-March.

The Institute celebrates the change in seasons with one of its oldest and most popular events - Maple Festival on March 15. This year's Festival, the Institute's 41st, is open to the public and features all the sights, sounds, experiences, and tastes of the surest signs of spring. New this year, we're including planetarium shows as part of the experience. Don't forget to register before March 11!

Finally, the Cranbrook Cares program welcomes families who are dealing with cancer to a free day at the museum on March 22. If you know a family who would like to attend this event, please see the details within.

Go Science!

The Institute of Science Presents Great Lakes Water Forum

The public is invited to participate in a FREE seminar exploring our local connection to the global water pollution problem on Friday, March 6 at 6pm. Guests will learn about water clean-up programs from local watershed organizations and have the chance to see Plastic Waters, an exhibition highlighted by plastic artifacts found in the world's oceans. The evening will conclude with "An Ecological Perspective on Microplastics in the Great Lakes," a lecture by Jennifer Daley, Researcher with University of Michigan - SNRE. March 6 is a Free First Friday so admission to the museum and the Water Forum are both free.

SCIENCE TALKS Lecture Series presents Anatomy of an Algal Bloom

The Institute's popular lecture series in partnership with The Nature Conservancy continues on Thursday, March 12 with Anatomy of an Algal Bloom. Nature Conservancy scientist Carrie Vollmer-Sanders will look at the factors involved in the toxic algae blooms on Lake Erie, and what we can do to prevent them in the future. Please note the February lecture cancelled due to the weather has been rescheduled for June 11. Click for more information.

It's Maple Festival 2015 at Cranbrook Institute of Science

A favorite rite of spring is presented to the public from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 15 at the institute's 41st annual Maple Festival. All activities at this year's Festival are open to the public. In addition to maple-themed snacks, guests are invited to learn about the science of maple syrup production, listen to the story of sugaring in Colonial North America, taste the pure sweetness of homemade maple candy, and more. Admission is $18 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Members receive a $3 discount per ticket. To register, please visit us online, call us at 248 645.3143, or stop in at the Front Desk during your next visit.

"Cranbrook Cares" Provides Free Museum Visits for Families Dealing with Cancer

Cranbrook Institute of Science continues its "Cranbrook Cares" program in partnership with Kids Kicking Cancer to give children and families who are dealing with cancer a free day at the museum. After a "deep cleaning" of the Institute the evening before every event to minimize potential exposure to germs, the Institute of Science offers a private visit for young cancer patients, their families, and close friends. Each experience gives exclusive use of the museum, free admission and all experiences such as planetarium shows, special tours and events, transportation if necessary, and no-cost lunches. The next event is Sunday, March 22 from 1-4pm. If you know a family who might benefit from this program, please visit kidskickingcancer.org.

Cranbrook Space Odyssey Brings the Universe to the Institute of Science

The Institute of Science explores the mysteries of space with two exhibitions in one during Cranbrook Space Odyssey. Complementing the Institute's own astronomical collections and research facilities, Cranbrook Space Odyssey offers visitors the opportunity to explore our galaxy and beyond. Highlights include, a Moon Rock on loan from NASA's John Glenn Research Center, rarely seen Desert glass specimens formed by asteroid impacts from the Institute's own collections, and a space suit from the Apollo 8 flight. Click to explore more.

Scouting Programs Available Through May 2015

Only at Cranbrook Institute of Science can Boy and Girl Scouts dig for fossils, soar into outer space, or spend a night in a Museum sleeping among the exhibits! The Institute's Scouting Programs offer Scouts the chance to work with professional scientists who are active in their fields and the opportunity to interact with a unique, world-class collection of objects and artifacts. Our experts work with your group to teach Scouts about a variety of scientific topics through interactive workshops and hands-on activities. Workshop fees include the cost of general admission. For more information about Scouting at Cranbrook please visit our website.

Indoor Exploration and Survival Outdoors - It's Summer Camp 2015!

Cranbrook Institute of Science is now taking reservations for curious campers who want to explore science this coming summer. Campers ages 5-14 are invited to register now to utilize Cranbrook's 319-acre "outdoor laboratory" and the resources of a museum to discover the wonder of science and create a lifetime of memories and learning experiences. Week-long camps begin June 22 and run through August 10. To review camp selections visit our website or call 248 645.3210 for a 2015 Explore Science Summer Camp Guide.