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NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE PARTNERS WITH OMSI TO HOST SCIENCE ON A SPHERE
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 26, 2009) The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) has partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service to bring an exciting new permanent exhibit to OMSI’s Earth Science Hall called Science On a Sphere. Science On a Sphere is a six foot suspended sphere that uses computers and video projectors to display dynamic animated images of the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, animal migration patterns, global warming trends, hurricane paths, as well as the surface of the sun, Mars, moon and more. In addition to a variety of pre-programmed content, Science On a Sphere will feature live demonstrations and other special programming options. Science On a Sphere will make it’s debut in OMSI’s Earth Science Hall July 24. “We are excited to be partnering with NOAA and are thankful for their generosity in providing OMSI with such a cutting-edge new exhibit,” said OMSI president Nancy Stueber. “Science on Sphere will provide opportunities for OMSI to engage and educate our visitors about important global issues by using up-to-date scientific data to understand complex systems.”“This is an excellent opportunity for the NOAA to partner with OMSI as the agency seeks to increase education and awareness of its important work across a number of scientific fields,” said Marla Trollan, National Communications Coordinator for NOAA Fisheries Service. “Bringing Science on a Sphere to OMSI serves as the first step in this collaboration, and as a launching point for future programs and outreach efforts.” OMSI’s Science On a Sphere installation is the first step in a long-term partnership between OMSI and NOAA to provide education on the Earth’s oceans and atmospheres, the health of its ecosystems, and the effects of human impacts on these systems. NOAA serves as the principal government agency studying and monitoring these systems. OMSI and NOAA’s goal is for Science On a Sphere to encourage stewardship and informed decision making based on knowledge of natural resources, environmental issues, and human impacts. The striking presentation of Science On a Sphere provides a powerful tool for visualizing these complex systems and understanding how they are interconnected. Funding for OMSI’s Science On a Sphere exhibit was provided by NOAA Fisheries Service.
About NOAA
NOAA is a federal agency focused on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere and plays several distinct roles within the Department of Commerce with a broad mission. Some of NOAA's more widely-known divisions include the National Weather Service, The National Hurricane Center, and the National Marine Fisheries Service.
PORT OF PORTLAND SPONSORS OMSI's KIDS' PORT EXHIBIT
PORTLAND, Ore. (June 24, 2009) The Port of Portland has partnered with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) to sponsor Kids’ Port, a new interactive exhibit based on the processes carried out at the Port of Portland’s marine terminal when shipping containers arrive. Kids’ Port will include a small model of a crane, several push trucks, blocks representing cargo containers, a model cargo ship, a colorful printed carpet, and a model warehouse with a scanner. Kids’ Port is now open in OMSI’s Turbine Hall.
“Kids’ Port is a great addition to the Port’s Where in the World school outreach program,” said Port of Portland Executive Director Bill Wyatt. “It will be a fun way for kids to learn more about how the clothes they wear and the products they buy actually get here while building understanding of the role imports and exports play in our state’s economy.”
In Kids’ Port young visitors will move through the process of receiving model cargo containers by removing them from a model ship with a child-sized crane, loading them in toy trucks, and taking them to a miniature warehouse to be scanned. They will receive information regarding the simulated product in each container by way of a computer screen on the outside of the warehouse. Through this activity, children will learn why the Port of Portland is so important in our daily lives and gain a basic understanding of the processes related to receiving goods at the Port.
The Port of Portland sponsorship of Kids’ Port represents the continuation of a long term partnership between OMSI, the Port of Portland, and other partners to promote science and technology through real life experiences.
ABOUT PORT OF PORTLAND
The Oregon legislature created the Port of Portland in 1891 to dredge a shipping channel from Portland to the sea. Today the Port owns four airports (Portland International, Hillsboro, Troutdale and Mulino), four marine terminals and four industrial parks. The Port also owns and operates the Dredge Oregon to help maintain the navigation channel on the lower Columbia and Willamette Rivers.
CRACK THE CASE AT OMSI THIS SUMMER WITH
CSI: THE EXPERIENCE
PORTLAND, Ore. (April 30, 2009) The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) invites visitors to play the roles of forensic scientists in its new exhibit, CSI: The Experience. Created in collaboration with the hit CBS television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: The Experience highlights the process of scientific inquiry and real investigation techniques used to solve crimes. From DNA and firearms analysis to forensic anthropology and toxicology—sciences vital to unraveling the mysteries of crime scene investigation—visitors will be immersed in hands-on science in an exciting multi-media environment. CSI: The Experience opens at OMSI May 23, 2009 and is recommended for adults and youth ages 12 and up. The exhibit comes to OMSI in part through the generous support of regional sponsor Comcast.
“Comcast is excited help bring an exhibit that merges technology, education and entertainment in such a vivid and exciting way,” said Theressa Davis, Vice President of Communications at Comcast. “Most people only get to see the wonders of forensic science on television or in the movies; this new exhibit will allow visitors the unique opportunity to get hands-on experience with many of the same tools and techniques used by professionals in the field.”
Visitors to CSI: The Experience are guided throughout the exhibit by video monitors featuring cast members from the TV series and their real-life counterparts. The new recruits start their investigation in one of three crime scenes: a suburban living room, a hotel alley or a remote desert. Each scene creates a very different crime mystery and visitors will be challenged to identify and gather evidence, analyze materials with the help of the latest scientific and technological advances, formulate hypotheses about the crime, and confirm and communicate their findings. CSI: The Experience features two separate crime labs where visitors can explore the state-of-the-art technology used in evidence analysis. In the first lab, visitors must collect data from microscope analysis to determine where matches occur with vehicle tracks, clothing fibers and paint chips and how they contribute to the larger hypothesis. In the same lab, visitors can also evaluate digital evidence provided by cell phones and other electronics as well as hard evidence from fingerprints, blood patterns and ammunition casings. In a second laboratory, visitors examine forensic art as they study age progression and attempt to match an image with a victim.
At the end of CSI: The Experience, visitors use the scientific information they gathered to answer a series of multiple-choice questions on touch screens. After completing the survey, a case summary is generated and exhibit-goers can compare their scientific findings to those of expert crime scene investigators.
CSI: The Experience was developed by the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History with support from CBS Consumer Products, the cast and crew of the television show, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and the National Science Foundation. For more information visitwww.csitheexperience.org
ENTER THE DA VINCI CHALLENGE AND PUT YOUR
IMAGINATION TO WORK
PORTLAND, OR (Jan. 22, 2009)—The natural impulse to invent leads not only to innovation but to great entertainment—and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is joining in the fray. In celebration of Leonardo da Vinci, OMSI is inviting 16 teams to put their inventive minds to work and build a modern adaptation of a da Vinci invention using an alternative energy source—air, water, solar, or human power.
The challenge is free and open to the public. To enter the challenge, teams must submit a short description (100 words or less) explaining their design idea to
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by February 16 at 8:00 a.m. The design must be modeled after an actual da Vinci invention or idea and be powered by alternative energy: air, water, solar, or human power. Please include names, ages, and contact information for each team member with your submission.
The challenge is open to teams of no more than six people. There will be eight youth teams (high school age) and eight adult teams selected. Teams with mixed age groups are permitted. Teams will be announced and full challenge instructions and rules will be released on February 20. Teams will have six weeks and be given $250 to design and build their inventions.
On April 4, all teams will demonstrate and test their inventions in front of a panel of judges and the general public in a fun-filled Da Vinci Challenge event at OMSI. At the event, teams will also be given a surprise challenge to complete in a specified amount of time (bring a spare change of clothes!). Teams traveling to OMSI from further than 75 miles for the event may apply for a travel and lodging stipend.
Teams will be judged based on creativity and the performance of their invention. Prizes will include an OMSI membership for each winning team member and a night at the museum for the winning team and their friends.
The Da Vinci Challenge is made possible by the generous support of The Lemelson Foundation. For questions or comments, please e-mail
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or call 503.797.7817.
About OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit www.omsi.edu.
SECRETS OF MONA LISA CREATOR PASCAL COTTE TO SPEAK AT OMSI
PORTLAND, OR. (Jan. 13, 2009)—Did the Mona Lisa have eyelashes and eyebrows? Was her smile once more expressive? Did she suffer a mysterious illness? Pascal Cotte, French engineer and creator of the Secrets of Mona Lisa Gallery, will answer these questions and share other startling revelations about the Mona Lisa during a special presentation at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) Friday, Jan. 23 at 7:00 p.m. This event will be held in the OMSI Auditorium. Attendance is free but seating is limited and a reservation is required to attend. Please call 503-797-4634 or email
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to make a reservation.
Cotte invented a 240-million pixel camera to photograph the Mona Lisa and was given unprecedented access in the Louvre, allowing for an incredibly accurate re-creation of the masterpiece. Cotte was able to uncover how the Mona Lisa looked as she was originally painted, taking viewers behind layers of over-painting, restoration, and attempts at preservation.
Cotte used his camera to scientifically verify and visually re-create 25 secrets of the Mona Lisa that would otherwise go unseen—including alterations da Vinci made to the portrait, his preparatory drawings, restorations, and historical events that the painting has withstood. Using his multi spectral imaging camera, Cotte spent almost three hours taking pictures of the painting, resulting in thirteen original photos of the masterpiece, showing how the Mona Lisa looked to Da Vinci’s contemporaries: blue sky, pink face, brighter mountains, and green trees.
Secrets of Mona Lisa is part of the Da Vinci: The Genius exhibit opening at OMSI Jan. 31. His amazing revelations are displayed gallery style in super sized, high-resolution prints, with the largest being the 14 ft. x 10 ft. infra red reproduction of Mona Lisa.
About OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit www.omsi.edu.
EXPERIENCE THE ART AND SCIENCE OF LEONARDO DA VINCI
Da Vinci: The Genius Featuring Secrets of the Mona Lisa Opening at OMSI January 31
PORTLAND, OR (Jan. 6, 2009)—Da Vinci: The Genius, opening January 31 at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), explores the art and science of Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest minds the world has ever known. During his lifetime da Vinci was an inventor, painter, scientist, engineer, musician, architect, and more. Da Vinci: The Genius originated in Italy and is the most complete and comprehensive traveling exhibition on da Vinci ever created. More than 10 years in the making, the exhibit has been seen in Paris, Rome, Moscow, Melbourne, San Paulo, San Francisco and other major cities around the world. OMSI’s presentation of Da Vinci: The Genius is made possible through the generous support of major sponsor Lufthansa German Airlines, with additional support provided by Chevron Corporation, Mentor Graphics, and The Standard.
“Lufthansa welcomes the opportunity to support an exhibit which portrays an artist of such exceptional vision and innovation,” said Mark Lagler, Lufthansa district sales manager, Pacific Northwest.
Da Vinci: The Genius demonstrates the full scope of da Vinci’s remarkable genius utilizing an array of full-scale re-creations of his machine inventions—a hang glider, helicopter, military tank, and more—crafted from his personal codices (notebooks). Visitors will be able to push, pull, crank, and interact with many of these exhibits for a greater understanding of the math, engineering, and physics principles behind them. Visitors can also explore never-before-seen perspectives of da Vinci’s most famous Renaissance art, including his anatomical sketches, theMona Lisa, Virgin of the Rocks, The Annunciation, preparatory drawings of the Anghiari Battle; and three-dimensional interactive presentations of the Last Supper, the Vitruvian Man, and theSforza Horse sculpture.
OMSI’s presentation of Da Vinci: The Genius features the U.S. debut of the full presentation of the Secrets of Mona Lisa gallery, created by French scientific engineer and photographer, Pascal Cotte. Cotte invented a 240-million pixel camera to photograph the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, allowing for the most accurate recreation of the masterpiece in its original color and unveiling 25 startling revelations and producing the world’s only 360 ° walk around replica. With his camera, Cotte was able to uncover how the Mona Lisa looked as she was originally painted, taking viewers behind layers of over-painting, restoration, and attempts at preservation. His amazing revelations are displayed in gallery style and in super sized, high-resolution prints, with the largest being the 13ft x 10ft infra-red of Mona Lisa.
This exhibition has been made available by Grande Exhibitions; The Anthropos Foundation, Italy; and Pascal Cotte, France.
About OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit www.omsi.edu.
PORTLAND, OR (Nov. 19, 2008)— The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) announced today it has implemented museum-wide cost-cutting measures. Over the past year, OMSI has made progress by reducing its debt, increasing its dedication to energy efficiency, and operating more sustainably. However, the unprecedented economic crisis has resulted in reduced attendance and revenues necessitating an immediate 10% reduction of expenses and elimination of 20 staff. The staff adjustments are being taken at every level of the organization.
“Today’s reductions were necessary for OMSI to continue to move forward in a fiscally responsible manner,” said OMSI President Nancy Stueber. “We remain committed to providing our visitors quality educational experiences now and into the future. Our talented staff has helped make OMSI a valued part of the community for over 60 years and it saddens me to have any reductions in personnel. I am tremendously proud of what they have helped us accomplish.”
The company will offer severance pay along with outplacement support for eligible employees who have been laid off.
OMSI is a nonprofit organization and receives no state or federal funding for ongoing operations. It relies on revenue through ticket sales, memberships, retail sales, and donations.
About OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit www.omsi.edu.
OMSI HOSTS 16th ANNUAL “WHAT WILL WINTER BE LIKE”
Prognosticators to Give Weather Outlooks for Upcoming Winter
PORTLAND, OR (Sept. 29, 2008)—Weather experts from the Oregon chapter of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) will gather at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon for the 16th annual “What Will the Winter Be Like” meeting. The event is held in the OMSI auditorium and is free and open to the public.
"Will we have another La Nina this winter?" ponders Oregon-AMS president Kyle Dittmer. "We haven't seen a back-to-back La Nina since the 1970's—we're way overdue. Perhaps we'll just have a 'normal' winter, whatever that means anymore.
Experts in the field of weather will talk about the forthcoming winter. Mark Nelsen, KPTV meteorologist, will give a review of the past winter in the Pacific Northwest.
This year's speakers include: Steve Todd, Meteorologist-in-harge, NOAA-National Weather Service Portland; Kyle Dittmer, Hydrologist-Meteorologist, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission Portland; Pete Parsons, Meteorologist, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Salem; and George Taylor, Climatologist, Applied Climate Services LLC, Corvallis.
ABOUT OREGON AMS
The Oregon Chapter of the American Meteorological Society is the local arm of the national organization that promotes the use and understanding of meteorology in the Oregon and Southwest Washington area. New members are always welcome to join the Oregon AMS; information on membership will be available at the meeting.
www.ametsoc.org/chapters/oregon/index.html
ABOUT OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums and a world-class tourist attraction and educational resource. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Ave., Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 800.955.OMSI or 503.797.4000 or visit www.omsi.edu.
OMSI TO HOST ART INSTALLATION BY JENNIFER STEINKAMP
Interactive Swing Set Anything You Can Do On Display Oct. 11 –Jan. 3
PORTLAND, OR (Sept. 18, 2008)—The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will host an installation by artist Jennifer Steinkamp of her piece titled Anything You Can Do.Anything You Can Do is an interactive swing set that visitors can ride to create unique light and sound effects. Anything You Can Do will be on display Oct. 11, 2008—Jan. 3 2009, in OMSI’s Earth Science Hall. The Anything You Can Do OMSI installation was made possible by the generous support of the Hedinger Family Foundation.
“I always discover new things when I create an installation,” said artist Jennifer Steinkamp. “In this case I found out it can feel scary to swing indoors, especially if you are an adult.”
Anything You Can Do consists of two swings and a projected video image with a soundtrack that changes as participants swing. Each of the two swings control a layer of the image and each have their own soundtrack. As the participants swing, the two video layers then combine to form a single image. There are progressively changing sounds for each of the movements and the experience is heightened through bodily participation and play.
Anything You Can Do was created in 2000 and was previously exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, LACMA Lab, Los Angeles, California.
ABOUT JENNIFER STEINKAMP
Jennifer Steinkamp is an installation artist who works with video and new media in order to explore ideas about architectural space, motion, and perception. www.steinkamp.com
ABOUT OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit www.omsi.edu.
U2: THE FULL-DOME EXPERIENCE ROCKS THE OMSI PLANETARIUM
PORTLAND, OR (Wednesday, September 3, 2008)—Experience one of the greatest rock bands of all time like you’ve never seen them before in U2:The Full-Dome Experience, now playing at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s Kendall Planetarium. U2:The Full-Dome Experience is an immersive digital experience offering rich computer renderings and abstract visuals choreographed to the band’s award-winning music. Special effects performed live by OMSI presenters guarantees audiences will never experience the same show twice!
“This is the first time the Kendall Planetarium has ever presented a full-dome musical show,” said OMSI planetarium manager Jim Todd. “It’s really exciting to see the whole dome of the planetarium come to life. Visitors who have enjoyed our laser light shows in the past will love this unique new combination of music and imagery.”
U2: The Full-Dome Experience is now playing at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday–Friday and at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. This 25-minute version of the show includes the songs I Will Follow, With or Without You, Bullet the Blue Sky, The Fly, Beautiful Day, Mysterious Ways, and Elevation.
An extended 45-minute version of U2: The Full-Dome Experience is now playing Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:15 p.m. and includes the songs Where the Streets Have No Name,Sunday Bloody Sunday (Live at Red Rocks), Pride, I Will Follow, With or Without You, Bullet the Blue Sky, The Fly, Beautiful Day, Mysterious Ways, and Elevation with an encore of the songVertigo.
Admission to U2: The Full-Dome Experience is $5.50 for the 25-minute day time showings and $7.50 for the 45-minute evening showings.
ABOUT THE KENDALL PLANETARIUM
OMSI’s Harry C. Kendall Planetarium, a 200-seat, 360-degree, 52-foot domed theater, is the largest and most technologically advanced public planetarium in the Pacific Northwest. This high-tech venue features state-of-the-art Sky Scan full dome video allowing the planetarium dome to be completely covered with real and computer-generated images to create one complete environment.
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