FALL 2016
200 19th Street North Birmingham, AL 35203 WWW.MCWANE.ORG (205) 714-8300
Contents 1
JINGLE BELL BREAKFAST
HOLIDAY FLICKS
Seasonal films take over IMAX.
Letter from the President
T
he holidays are a time of family traditions. There are certain foods that make our Thanksgiving special, specific rituals we follow for Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. For my family, it is Christmas Eve services at my mother’s church and a family gathering around the piano at home for a holiday sing-a-long. I’m sure each of you have certain traditions that make this time of year special. We have holiday traditions here at McWane, and I hope this year you will include us in your family celebrations. For some of you, this might mean bringing the kids to eat breakfast with Santa or enjoying a holiday movie in our IMAX. For others, it might mean a magical time with our wonderful model trains or watching the kids ride the McWane zip line or slide at least 30 times in a row! Whatever makes your holiday special, include a trip to McWane Science Center in your plans for the season. This fall we have been making changes to the McWane experience, and I hope your next visit will be extra special. We have said farewell to the Just Mice Size exhibit on the first floor to make room for some new hands-on exhibits for all ages. We have also increased the number of education staff in our Adventure Halls so that every visit will include new and exciting activities. I look forward to seeing you at McWane!
2
WRECKING CREW
CALENDAR
Plan your holidays at McWane with our three month calendar. 4
WINTER WONDERLAND
’Tis the season for fun inside McWane’s holiday exhibit. 6
MEET THE WRECKING CREW
Get to know the conductors of the Magic of Model Trains. 8
MODEL TRAINS
TEACHER DEVELOPMENT
Kids aren’t the only ones who learn at McWane. 8
9
GOING PLACES
Transportation gets the spotlight in upcoming traveling exhibit.
PARDON OUR PARTICLES
PIN WALL TEACHER TRAINING
Go behind the scenes of our 1st Floor renovations.
2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Gordon G. Martin, Chair • D. Scott Adams, Past Chair John McCullough, Secretary • J. Bowen Thagard, Jr., Treasurer Tracy Morant Adams, J. Iwan Alexander, Stephanie Alexander, Daniel Bolongaro, Lisa Jernigan Bruhn, Charlie A. Collat Jr., Leigh Davis, Taylor P. Davis, John P. Dulin, Collin Gaston, Charles D. Goodrich, Penney Hartline, Shannon Holt, Alesia M. Jones, Geeta Lakhanpal, Danny Markstein, Jennifer Skjellum, Kavita Vasil, Chad Webb, Nicolas O. Willis, Gary York
Amy Templeton President and CEO
PRESIDENT/CEO Amy W. Templeton
2016 ENDOWMENT BOARD Lynn LaRussa, President • Garland C. Smith, Secretary Forest Whatley, Nina Botsford, Will Brooke, Sheri Cook, Gillian Goodrich, Norman Jetmundsen, Charlie Miller, Margaret Porter, Chuck Redden, Lissa Tyson McWane Science Center is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to change lives through science and wonder.
IMAX SEASON PRESENTED BY
NOW SHOWING
The Ultimate Holiday
TRILOGY Three family favorites return to McWane’s
IMAX Dome Theater just in time for the holidays Rocky Mountain Express NOVEMBER 19 — DECEMBER 31 Rocky Mountain Express propels audiences on a steam train journey through the breathtaking vistas of the Canadian Rockies and highlights the adventure of building a nearly impossible transcontinental railway. Recruited to realize this venture — one of the greatest engineering feats of all time — were engineers and laborers from around the world.
Santa vs. The Snowman NOVEMBER 25 — DECEMBER 23
A lonely snowman finds Santa’s workshop. But when
he sets off the perimeter alarms and is chased away, he wonders why he couldn’t be Santa and get all the love and fun this year. With the aid of “Snow Minions Made Easy,” he pits his snow army against Santa’s elves and captures Santa. But can he really do Santa’s job?
The Polar Express
EXTREME WEATHER
NOVEMBER 26 – 27
Is Santa Claus real? For one doubting boy, an astonishing event will take him on a magical adventure where he will learn about bravery, friendship and the true spirt of Christmas. Starring Tom Hanks, The Polar Express has definitely earned its place in the pantheon of holiday classics, a film that has one simple message — the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
New website makes exploring national parks even easier
NOW SHOWING
The National Park Service turned 100 on August 25, 2016. This centennial kicks off a second century of stewardship of America’s national parks and engaging communities through recreation, conservation, and historic preservation programs. After you watch National Parks Adventure in IMAX, go home and visit www.findyourpark.com and use their interactive map to learn more about the national parks in your own back yard.
OPENS JANUARY 20
DREAM
BIG
OPENS FEBRUARY 22
MCWANE.ORG • 1
Meet
MCWANE
PLAN AHEAD oct ACCIO
SLEEPING
Harry Potter Alia Carter JOB TITLE: Director of Science Engagement n HOW MANY YEARS ON THE JOB: 2 years n
MCWANE: What do you do here at McWane Science Center? ALIA: I am the Director of Science Engagement, which means I have the opportunity to work with a great group of staff in the Education Department and beyond to create and perform exciting science demonstrations and activities throughout the Adventure Halls. MCWANE: What was the first job you ever had and where? ALIA: My first job was as a student research assistant in lymphology at the University of Arizona. MCWANE: Where were you born? ALIA: I was born in Landstuhl, Germany. MCWANE: What do you want to be when you grow up? ALIA: When I was 8, I wanted to be a lawyer. Somewhere along the way, an interest in science and teaching took over. MCWANE: What is your favorite movie? ALIA: Does it have to be one movie? I am a big fan of the Lion King and My Neighbor Totoro. MCWANE: Describe yourself in three words. ALIA: Extroverted, determined, affable. MCWANE: Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met? ALIA: I went to college with Arash Ferdowsi, one of the co-founders of Dropbox. MCWANE: Favorite food? ALIA: PIZZA! MCWANE: What is the strangest/funniest thing that has ever happened to you at McWane? ALIA: I dressed up as the Fantastic Force, a superhero for science, for last year’s Celebrate Science Showcase. I had an awesome mask and cape. When I see students from that program, they still call me the Fantastic Force. 2 • FALL 2016
BAG!
AND THE SORCERER’S SLEEPOVER October 21
Begins 5:30 pm
Dinner at 6 PM Members: $35 Child, $25 Adult Non-Member: $40 Child, $30 Adult Family 4 Pack: $120
Advanced reservations required. Visit www.mcwane.org or call 205-714-8414
nov Veteran’s Day Parade November 11 Did you know Birmingham has one of the oldest and largest Veteran’s Day Parades? And McWane Science Center is the perfect viewing location? Come on down to the museum with your most comfortable lawn chair and celebrate the heroic men and women who serve in the armed forces. Veterans receive free admission on this special day.
dec Winter Camps December 21 – 30 Put on your Santa Caps because it’s time for Winter Camps. A seasonal favorite at McWane, your children can spend their Christmas vacation learning about science by building a bionic snowman or powering Rudolph’s nose with a homemade battery. Reserve your spot today before these camps fill up. See our website for registration information.
Turkey Science November 21– 23 As Thanksgiving Day fast approaches, it’s time for Turkey Science, the only science activity that features November’s favorite bird.
GIFT GUIDE
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT MCWANE SCIENCE CENTER CALLING ALL MUGGLES Grab your sleeping bag and cross Platform 9 ¾ to McWane’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Enjoy a fish and chips dinner in the Great Hall before heading to class to explore the science of magic. Make your own wizard wand, concoct potions, attend a Care of Magical Creatures class, and more! After class is dismissed, enjoy a special showing of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in the IMAX Dome. It’s a magical night you won’t want to miss! Don’t forget your costume!
Earth Science Week
National Chemistry Week
October 9 — 15
October 16 — 22
Spooky Science! October 29 and 31 Creep on down to McWane this Halloween and get your hands on some slime, meet creepy crawlers and learn the science behind some tricks and treats.
Winter Wonderland and the Magic of Model Trains
GIVE THE SMARTEST GIFT IN TOWN Beginning Friday, November 11th, McWane Science Center Holiday Gift Memberships will be available at our Ticketing Counter. Holiday Gift Memberships include a 1-Year McWane Science Center Membership and Special Gift, all in a holiday box!
Opens November 19 The weather outside may be frightful, but inside McWane it’s a Winter Wonderland as our holiday exhibit returns for it’s ninth year. Take a ride on our Zip Line, play a game of checkers, do some ice fishing and most importantly — make plans to see Santa at our Jingle Bell Breakfast. See pages 4 and 5 for more information
Noon Year’s Eve December 31
10 am – 2 pm
Celebrate the New Year (a few hours early!) at our first ever Noon Year’s Eve Celebration! Enjoy a Spectacular Science Demonstration, and dance the afternoon away as we count down to 2017 with a sparkling juice toast and a very special surprise to welcome in the “noon” year! This is one New Year’s celebration everyone can stay awake for!
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS McWane Science Center will be closed on CHRISTMAS EVE, CHRISTMAS DAY and NEW YEAR’S DAY. WATCH FOR HOLIDAY ADMISSION SPECIALS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Visit the newly remodeled COOL STUFF STORE located in the museum lobby and pick up last minute gifts, items you thought you could only get through online orders or just some fun games to have on hand. Remember, members receive 10% off.
HOLIDAY FUN
T he Magic
Greet ings from
of
McWane Science Center’s holiday exhibit opens November 19
I
t’s the most wonderful time of the year at McWane Science Center! The Magic of Model Trains and Winter Wonderland is back to delight families throughout the holiday season. Coast down the Ice Slide and take a whirl across the room on the extended zip line. Climb aboard the McWane Train and go for a ride before checking out the Magic of Model Trains exhibit.
HOLIDAY SEASON PRESENTED BY
Back for its 9th year in a row, the Magic of Model Trains has returned to spread some holiday cheer and amaze guests. Discover trains of every shape and size inside this popular exhibit of train displays. Every set in the exhibit is designed to scale with the size of the trains. The meticulous detail of the scenery includes covered bridges, downtown storefronts and, of course, several train stations that will keep your family entertained for hours!
EXPLORE THE MAGIC OF MODEL TR If you’ve never been to the Magic of Model Trains exhibit on the third floor, you truly have not experienced one of the most interesting holiday attractions in Alabama. The exhibit, which features amazingly intricate model train designs, also includes a riding train for the kids and model train experts volunteering their time to make your visit more informative. 4 • FALL 2016
RAINS
JINGLE BELL BREAKFAST DATES: Dec. 10 and 17 TIME: 8 am – 9:30 am MOVIE: 9:30 am COST: $25 Adults, $20 Kids; Members receive $2 off.
Dig in at the
Bring your little elves for a Merry Morning at McWane! Enjoy a hot breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, make holiday crafts, build a snowman in Winter Wonderland, and ride the Ice Slide before heading to the IMAX Dome for a special showing of Santa vs. the Snowman! Don’t forget your camera! Ticket includes same day museum admission following the IMAX movie. Reservations are required. Call (205) 714-8414 or purchase online at www.mcwane.org
POLAR EXPRESS PJ PARTIES DATES: Dec. 10 and 11 EVENT: 4 pm – 6 pm on Dec. 10 2 pm – 4 pm on Dec. 11 MOVIE: 3 pm or 6 pm on Dec. 10 1 pm or 3 pm on Dec. 11 COST: $14 Adults, $12 Kids; Members receive $2 off.
Holiday Exhibit Presented by
P.J . Party
Join us for a journey beyond your imagination aboard the Polar Express! Slip on your PJs and visit with Santa over a cup of hot cocoa and cookies. Then it’s time to believe as you experience The Polar Express on the IMAX Dome. A special keepsake will be given to all children 12 and under who wear their pajamas. Advanced reservations are required. Call (205) 714-8414 or purchase online at www.mcwane.org
R E B MEMNDAY MO party
DATES: December 12 TIME: 5 pm - 8 pm
y
holida
MEMBER MONDAY HOLIDAY PARTY DECEMBER 12 • 5 PM – 8 PM
You and your family are invited to our complimentary Holiday Celebration. Rerserve your spot by emailing membership@mcwane.org or calling (205) 714-8319.
WRECKING CREW WORKSHOPS
DECEMBER 10 AND 17 • 1 PM — 3 PM Have you ever wondered how much work goes into making a model train display? Well climb aboard the “Wrecking Crew Workshop” and find out. This exclusive behind the scenes look at our Magic of Model Trains exhibit is a one-of-a-kind experience that puts you into the conductor’s seat. MCWANE.ORG • 5
BEHIND THE SCENES
THE WRECKING CREW: (from left) Dave Whikehart, Malcolm Sokol, Heinz Skolud, Larry Smith, Winston Greaves, Roland Stewart, Mike Floyd, Jason Parham and Chuck Lampman.
t h e
WRECKING CREW
GET TO KNOW THE ENGINEERS BEHIND THE MAGIC OF MODEL TRAINS EXHIBIT
PASSIONATE VOLUNTEERS WORK YEAR ROUND TO CREATE A MAGICAL HOLIDAY WORLD WITH THE MAGIC OF MODEL TRAINS he Wrecking Crew, a model railroad club based in Birmingham, has been delighting visitors for the past nine holiday seasons at McWane Science Center with their various models including the Locust Grove and Western Railroad and Hogwarts Express. The Wrecking Crew works tirelessly to perfect each detail of the railroads, and their innovation and artistry is astounding. The Wrecking Crew meets weekly to discuss plans for new tracks, make repairs and come up with exciting additions to old favorite models. Throughout the exhibit’s run, the Wrecking Crew works hard to maintain the tracks and trains. “It can take a toll on the engine,” says Jason Parham, president of the Wrecking Crew, “so we change the cars out often.” You will typically see two engines running on the LG & W Railroad, and those engines change from day to day in order to get the care they need to keep running.
T
Aside from working on the actual train engines, the Wrecking Crew spends most of their time working on new tracks and maintaining scenery. They use innovative ways to construct each scene in the model. One of the buildings on the LG & W uses alphabet soup letters on the sign. The corn growing at the farm is made from twist ties. Often, these scenes come from the members’ lives. Mike Floyd included his daughters rock climbing in one of the scenes after they recounted a particularly fun trip to him. He’s also responsible for the Roadkill Café, which has been on the railroad since 1992. Some scenes become completely transformed after a few years in order to give the railroad a fresh look. The drive-in theater, now complete with a movie playing on screen, used to be a dinosaur dig site. The Wrecking Crew is constantly coming up with new ideas to wow their audience year after year.
WRECKING CREW MEMBERS NOT PICTURED: Robert Beaty, Mike Broadway, Tom Cusker, John Daniel, Paul Dawkins, Jeff Duncan, Whit Fancher, Steve Gardner, Philip Griffith, Greg Gumina, Sylvester Ivory, Carey Jenkins, William Latture, Scott Matherly, Tony McBride, Jack McCraw, John Parker, Tom Schultz, Frank Smith
6 • FALL 2016
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS When the Wrecking Crew works on their models, they are the architects, engineers and city planners of these small worlds, and audiences can clearly see the passion for their craft in every small detail. Each structure is built meticulously by the Wrecking Crew. Buildings, bridges, and other parts of the scenery are often constructed by hand and can take many days to complete. One covered bridge can have hundreds, even thousands of individual boards that must be sanded and glued together. Heinz Skolud says this hobby has taught him patience. “It makes you stop and think things through instead of acting impulsively,” he says.
TRAINS by the numbers
1
Deep below McWane Science Center, in a basement office near the World of Water, the Wrecking Crew stores 95% of their model train tools, supplies, artifacts and equipment. Here are just a few of the oddities you will find there:
lots of them
60 miniature people
feet of track LG & W
81 bottles of paint
2
120
3
1 Winston Greaves carefully grooms a tree. 2 Dave Whikehart and Chuck Lampman re-apply grass to the Locust Grove train set. 3 Heinz Skolud and Mike Floyd make sure each miniature character is glued in tight. 4 A new train set under construction. 5 More trees waiting to be planted on a train set. 6 Storage for many of the miniature people in the Locust Grove train set.
train engines
4
5
6
1052
model train magazines
15 train hats
LET’S DISCUSS
Trains are measured by size, and their scale is organized by a lettering system that begins with Z and ends with O. To make this easier, the O-Scale train is roughly the size of a Coke can.
SCALE
6
train overalls
5000 105
trees
buildings
TRAINING DAYS McWance Science Center is not only a valuable resource for young minds, it’s also a place where teachers can go to learn and expand their development skills.
McWane is dedicated to teacher training M
cWane Science Center works with early childhood educators, elementary schools, teachers, and community partners to create and implement professional development SPONSORED BY opportunities for teachers. These experiences help promote teaching and learning science through inquiry and hands-on experimentation. Inquiry-based instruction places the student, the subject, and his/her interaction at the center of the learning experience. At the same time, it helps transforms the role of the teacher from one that only simply dispenses knowledge to one also that facilitates active learning.
The purpose of our Teacher Professional Development programs is to: Provide teachers with training opportunities that will help them increase their knowledge, skills, tools, experience and confidence and assist in the mastery of core subject matter. n Introduce teachers to inquiry-based instruction and teach them how to use this teaching method to deliver relevant and experiential learning opportunities in the classroom. n
Demonstrate to teachers how to use McWane Science Center as a resource for the delivery of educational content. n Motivate teachers and students to become physically engaged and excited about the learning process. n Help establish an educational pipeline that supports the future of STEM in our community. n
For more information contact Peggy Chowning at pchowning@mcwane.org. For more information on how to support the cost of providing these opportunities to teachers contact Miranda Springer at mspringer@mcwane.org.
OPENING JANUARY 21 Going Places is an interactive science exhibition that explores the technology humans have developed for travel. If you have ever wanted to pilot an airship, ride on a hovercraft, or control traffic in a city, now is your big chance!
Get from A to B in a new exhibit celebrating modes of travel 8 • FALL 2016
As well as exploring the technology that gets us around every day, visitors will explore the way that travel has shaped the social fabric of our time. Visitors will also see new technology and get a glimpse of where our future is headed. With over 17 exhibits detailing the incredible technology pioneered by humans to make the farthest reaches of our planet accessible, Going Places will be a wild ride!
BEHIND THE EXHIBITS
LITTL E HAN DS M THE N AKING EW PI IMPRE N SC AT M SSIO REEN CWAN NS IN EXHIB E AND IT. VIS MAKE IT US YOUR S!
New and improved Pin Screen returns to Level One
A
fter 18 years, McWane Science Center has “retired” our well loved 1st floor exhibit, Just Mice Size. Having served as the most popular spot for early learners at McWane since our Grand Opening in 1998, Just Mice Size was supplanted by the bigger and better Itty Bitty Magic City in 2015. With Itty Bitty Magic City firmly established as the place to be for our youngest visitors, it is time for us to bid farewell to Just Mice Size. This space will be renovated through October and will then serve as a new wide open gallery connected to the existing ScienceQuest area. This new exhibition gallery will be hosting wonderful science features from our fellow Alabama institution, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, until June 2017. After these depart, we will begin filling this first floor area with exciting new permanent science exhibits! One of the exhibits we are working on for the first floor is a new Pin Screen. A version of Pin Screen had been in our Adventure Halls, and it was very popular with visitors. After many years of love, it needed to be refurbished and redesigned. Our Exhibits Department has created a new interactive design that fosters the dynamic interplay between users through an open and immersive structure. The new design is a room-like installation with open windows to create moments of interaction and play between both sides of the pin screens. We’ve noticed that this exhibit, in particular, brings out the silly in people!
FEEDBACK WANTED
N UCTIO
R NST R CO UNDE EEN . P R O C SH PIN S ATION THE BRIC E FA IN TH
We encourage you to post your “impressions” of Pin Screen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat!
HE RE ’S FA BR RIC ICA HA RD TO RS , O NE , H AR OF D OU AT R WO EX RK HIB ! IT
MCWANE.ORG • 9
Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Birmingham, AL Permit No. 1331
200 19th Street North Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 714-8300 www.mcwane.org
Save the Date Planes, Trains and Automobiles are the stars of next year’s Beaker Bash!
?
Mark your calendars for McWane Science Center’s annual family-friendly event — Beaker Bash! On February 4, 2017, McWane will present Beaker Bash: Are We There Yet? Come journey through McWane Science Center to creatively explore the science of transportation and the amazing innovations that help us travel around our planet. Participants will navigate down winding roads, soar through the air, sail across the seas, and ride the rails to experience far away places.
Mark your calendar
Earth Science Week October 9-15 Member Monday October 10 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire PUBLIC SHOWING October 13-18 Birmingham SciCafe October 18 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Sleepover October 21 National Chemistry Week/Mole Day October 16-22/October 23 Spooky Science October 29 and 31 Member Monday November 14 Birmingham SciCafe November 15 The Polar Express in IMAX PUBLIC SHOWING November 26-27 Winter Wonderland November 19 — December 31
For more information on current and upcoming events visit www.mcwane.org
Magic of Model Trains November 19 — December 31 CLOSED Thanksgiving Day November 24 Rocky Mountain Express IMAX November 19 — December 31 Santa Vs. The Snowman IMAX November 25 — December 23 Polar Express PJ Parties December 10, 11 Jingle Bell Breakfast December 10, 17 Member Monday Holiday Party December 12 Winter Camps December 19 — December 23 Noon Year’s Eve December 31 CLOSED Christmas Eve/Christmas Day December 24 and 25 CLOSED New Year's Day January 1
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