Bell Museum (Minneapolis) Happenings

Posted by Greg Laden on November 8, 2007
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Bell Museum of Natural History Events

In addition to the regular menu of science and culture programs, this month the Bell Museum will be hosting the second annual Diorama-rama on November 16th from 7-10 p.m. - featuring dioramas made by you, plus live music, tours and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to revisit the Bell Museum and to see a new exhibit about the history of the museum’s diorama displays.

If you are interested in making a diorama to display, visit bellmuseum.org for guidelines.

Also this month: Cafe Scientifique explores sustainable agriculture and synthetic biology, Science Trivia is back at the Nomad World Pub, and two screenings of “A River Reborn” at the Bell Museum.

Diorama-rama

Dioramas on display November 16-18

Opening event Friday, November 15, 7-10 p.m.

Free with museum admission

Create a diorama and submit it for display at the Bell Museum. For guidelines and this year’s theme visit bellmuseum.org. At the opening event, tour the museum’s renowned habitat dioramas, and see new exhibits that explore the history of these displays as well as what we can learn from them today.

CAFE SCIENTIFIQUE:

Food Systems and Land Use


Tuesday, November 13, 6 p.m.

Kitty Cat Klub, Dinkytown

Kate Clancy, Senior Fellow and Endowed Chair in the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, will discuss the challenges to land use and pose questions as to what the future of land-use planning ought to look like.

Computational Biology

Tuesday, November 20, 7 p.m.

Bryant-Lake Bowl, Uptown

Marc Riedel, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Minnesota will discuss his research, which uses computational models and methods inspired by biological systems.

SCIENCE ON SCREEN:

A River Reborn: The Restoration of Fossil Creek

Thursday, November 15, 7 p.m.

Sunday, November 18, 2 p.m.

Bell Museum Auditorium

An apt name for this once dry and lifeless Arizona stream, Fossil Creek was dammed and diverted for almost 100 years to generate electricity for nearby mining operations. Now, in one of the most dramatic environmental restoration projects of our time, scientists, hydroelectric company officials, the Yavapai-Apache Nation, landowners and environmentalists are collaborating to return Fossil Creek to its natural state. This documentary chronicles the growing effort to balance fulfillment of human needs with protection of the natural systems that support human life. (60 minutes)

SCIENCE TRIVIA:

SCIENCE TRIVIA

Wednesday, November 14th, 8 p.m.

Nomad World Pub: 501 Cedar Ave. S

$10 registration fee per team

Join the Nomad World Pub and the Bell Museum of Natural History for a brain-thrilling night of science trivia, hosted by Doomtree MC and self-professed science geek, Dessa. Test your scientific knowledge with questions ranging from current science and biology to science fiction. Gather a group of up to 5 friends and compete for gift certificates, and other great prizes. Pre-registration is recommended but not required.

Call 612-626-1897 to secure your spot!

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Comments

  1. #1 Serena
    November 8, 2007

    I’ve always enjoyed the dioramas at the Bell Museum. I think that is it tough these days for kids to really appreciate them. They are not accustomed to sitting in front of an inanimate display and reflecting thoughtfully about its contents. Teachers must guide students by asking them thought-provoking questions such as, “What adaptations does this thirteen lined ground squirrel have that are well-suited for this environment?” Even then, it is tough to get kids excited about them. I think it is a great idea for the Bell to encourage people to bring their own dioramas. Had I known about it earlier, I might have asked my own students to produce some.

    I wonder if the Bell plans to move each diorama to its new location in St. Paul.

  2. #2 Greg Laden
    November 10, 2007

    Serena,

    I appreciate an agree with your concern about the dioramas. So I asked Professor Scott Lanyon, who is in charge at the Bell, what would be happening with them. Most of them are in fact being moved. THere are a few that are scientifically and/or artistically problematic/inferior and they will not be moved.

    Do you go to the Bell often?