November 29, 2005
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Witherspoon
or Jocelyn Collado
Becker Communications
(808) 533-4165
BISHOP MUSEUM OPENS NEW SCIENCE ADVENTURE CENTER
SHOWCASING HAWAI‘I’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
*New Center Features Interactive Elements Found Nowhere Else on Earth*
HONOLULU – Bishop Museum has redefined adventure with the opening of its new Science Adventure Center this past weekend. The $17-million, 16,500-square-foot science experience features interactive exhibits found nowhere else on Earth, including an “erupting” volcano, deep-sea remote-operated vehicles, and live insect habitats.
“No other science center in the United States has state-of-the art, extremely interactive exhibits that focus on an environmental theme,” said Bill Brown, president and CEO of Bishop Museum. “It truly stands alone as a new leader in the ever-evolving world of natural science, taking education to a whole new level for this generation.” Visitors to the Center learn about oceanography, geology, entomology, botany, volcanology and seismology through interactive exhibits that spotlight Hawai‘i’s natural environment.
The Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center features nearly 30 custom-made exhibits, including:
Pu’u Ō’ō Volcano ~ the dramatic, centerpiece of the Center is a giant 26-foot man-made, walk-through volcano loosely modeled after Kilauea ’s active vent, Pu‘u Ō ‘ō on the Big Island of Hawai ‘i. The realistic-looking volcano “erupts” several times a day, spewing what looks like hot molten lava. Visitors are able to physically experience the heat and smell of a volcano; touch and feel different types of lava rock; investigate video footage of various types of volcanic eruptions; crawl through volcanic caves and tangled hanging roots; and discover indigenous creatures hidden within volcanic crevices.
Hot Spot Theatre ~ visitors can see glowing, molten lava through melting demonstrations daily at Noon, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 p.m. with additional public performances at 10 and 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Museum staff melts down volcanic cinder using a furnace with temperatures of over 2500 degrees Fahrenheit, creating lava that cools into an obsidian glass.
Deep Ocean Tank ~ adventurers can pilot a deep-sea submersible to observe a diorama of Hawai‘i’s youngest volcano, Lo‘ihi, located off the southeastern coast of the Big Island . Accompanying exhibits include areas where visitors can pump up hot wax “magma” to form their own shield volcano or try their hands at mapping the ocean floor using sonar. On the topside of the tank, visitors will be able to create waves and see the difference between waves created by wind and those created by earthquakes and landslides.
Hawaiian Origins Tunnel ~ in the darkened 160-foot Origins Tunnel, visitors learn about the natural and cultural origins of the Hawaiian Islands through glowing artwork and Hawaiian creation chants. Created by Hawai‘i schoolchildren, the art represents plants, animals and ancient myths and legends.
Living Islands Gallery ~ adventurers simulate the work of Bishop Museum research scientists as they come eye-to-eye with rare native species using four different methods of cutting-edge investigative technology: the Taxonomic Key; simulated DNA analyzer; an Electron Microscope and Ecology analysis. The Living Islands Gallery also features changing habitats with different live animals, including “good guys” (native species) such as the koa bug, carnivorous caterpillar and wolf spider, and “bad guys” (invasive species) like centipedes, termites and invasive fish.
The Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center complements Bishop Museum ’s nearly 116-year-old mission to tell the stories of Hawai‘i’s rich history, culture and environment. “The Center creates an environment for the science of today and tomorrow to touch, challenge and educate the visitors to Bishop Museum ,” added Brown. “We envision that the facility and its programs will inspire a new generation of curious, science-literate problem solvers who will build a better community.”
A treasured resource of Hawaiian history and heritage, Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop as a tribute to his wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha dynasty. Located at 1525 Bernice Street , the Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $14.95 for adults; $11.95 for youth 4-12 years; special rates for kama ‘āina, seniors and military; and free for children under 4 and Bishop Museum Members. For more information, call (808) 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.