en-us Thu, 01 Jan 2004 00:00:00 +0000 ]]> http://www.mos.org/web_media/rss_logo.gif http://www.mos.org 122 21 Katharine Lane Weems (1899-1989), a Boston-born artist, donated her collection to the Museum of Science to demonstrate the many connections between science and art. There are 30 bronze sculptures of animals displayed in this exhibit, and the Museum of Science has the largest Weems collection in the world. During her 70-year career, Katharine Weems broke away from the twentieth century social standards for women to become one of the most recognized animal sculptors of her time. She carefully observed the anatomy and behavior of the animals she sculpted. Knowing the shapes and locations of each animal's muscles, bones and tendons allowed her to sculpt more realistic animals. Some of Katharine Weems' much larger sculptures can be viewed in other parts of the Boston area. Weems created the Lotta Crabtree Fountain on the Charles River Esplanade, the Dolphins of the Sea at the New England Aquarium, and the Rhinoceroses in front of the Harvard Biological Laboratories at Harvard University. Information@mos.org Exhibit Thu, 01 Jan 2004 00:00:00 +0000 weems,,animals,,scuptures,,library,,bronze Created by the famous design team of Charles and Ray Eames, this has been a favorite exhibit since it opened at the Museum of Science in 1981. The Eames wanted to provide an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the beauty and wonder of mathematics, and they have also provided us with an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of post-modern design. Rather than focusing on one particular area of mathematics, the Eames selected the most compelling images and stories from many branches, including probability, topology, Boolean algebra, geometry, calculus, and logic. Observe the "History Wall" to see a timeline of these mathematic achievements. In one exhibit display, soap bubbles forming on wire shapes reveal the minimal surface for that shape. Joseph Plateau experimented with closed wire loops and soap film in the mid-1800s, a century before we were able to prove mathematically what was evident in the bubbles. A curved wire dipped in the soapy solution will form a Moebius band, a larger version of which is part of the topology exhibit nearby. On the "Image Wall," discover the great beauty in mathematics. You can find the Fibonacci series of numbers in the seeds of a sunflower. The Golden Spiral is displayed in the shell of a chambered nautilus. Information@mos.org Exhibit Thu, 01 Jan 2004 00:00:00 +0000 math,,mathematics,,design The Colby Room opened at the Museum in 1965 as a re-creation of Colonel Francis T. Colby's den in Hamilton, Massachusetts. Like a snapshot in time, the room contains original artifacts and animals representing both the life travels of Colonel Colby and the mindset of a generation. At the entrance to the room stand two enormous elephant doors from the palace of the Sultan of Witu. They are studded with ornate brass spikes. Inside the room is a vast array of pelts, mounted heads, horns, and antlers of both American and African animals. Here, Colby's passion for Africa is revealed. East African statues, ivory figurines, and Ethiopian artwork adorn the walls and tables, while Maasai shields and spears frame the gigantic fireplace at the front of the room. The side walls are lined with a historical collection of guns, muskets, and rifles. The majority of the items in this room were collected between 1900-45, when big game hunters like Teddy Roosevelt first began to understand the importance of preserving the wilderness for future generations. Although unusual from a modern perspective, this room of mounted heads and pelts represents the roots of current attitudes toward ecology and conservation. Information@mos.org Exhibit Wed, 13 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000 colby,,collecting,,pelts,,animals,,animal,heads,,africa Visit this viewing area for a peek at some of the stars of the Museum's Live Animal presentations. Located in the Red Wing, Lower Level, the Live Animal Center is home to approximately 120 animals representing more than 50 species. Although the center itself is closed to the public, this large window offers an up-close view of what goes on inside. The area features information about the animals on view, the different types of food they eat, and the various living environments that they require. Learn about the animals' caretakers, and find out what it means for the Museum to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Information@mos.org Exhibit Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0000 animals,,live,animals,,veterinary The end products of engineering are everywhere, from bridges to blow dryers, iPods to plastic wrap. This exhibit brings some long-overdue attention to the engineering leaders who solve everyday challenges both large and small. Its collection of biographical stories shows how the paths to engineering success are as diverse as the remarkable inventions developed by the individuals featured here. Get to know five engineers whose childhood fascinations led them to pursue big accomplishments that literally changed the world. Learn about the engineering process, then test your skills in the new permanent home for our popular Design Challenges program, in which visitors solve an engineering puzzle using provided materials. You can also find the results of real-life design challenges throughout the Museum; Innovative Engineers includes satellite mini-exhibits around the Exhibit Halls. Discover Alexander Graham Bell in the Messages exhibit, and learn about Edwin Land near the polarized light collage in the Atrium. As additional innovators are featured in Innovative Engineers, its "alumni" will also move out into other exhibits, allowing visitors to further connect technological innovations with the minds behind them. Information@mos.org Exhibit Thu, 18 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0000 engineering,,design,,invention