Harrisburg, PA – The State Museum of Pennsylvania today announced its program schedule for July 2015:
Planetarium 50th Anniversary Celebration:
Join the Planetarium at The State Museum of Pennsylvania from July 15 through July 19, as we celebrate 50 years of science education and programming. The planetarium will host the East Coast debut of the stunning, new full-dome feature Solar Superstorms. Watch the fury building on the surface of the sun – high-velocity jets, a fiery tsunami wave that reaches 100,000 kilometers high and rising loops of electrified gas. What’s driving these strange phenomena? How will they affect planet Earth? Find the answers as we venture into the seething interior of our star. Solar Superstorms is narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch.
In honor of the 50th celebration, Planetarium shows will be included with the museum general admission for the following dates:
Wednesday, July 15 & Thursday, July 16 - Showtimes: 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM
Saturday, July 18 - Showtimes: 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM
Sunday, July 19 - Showtimes: 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM
Special Showings for Solar Superstorms:
Learn@Lunchtime: The State Museum and the Planetarium are free of charge from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM on Friday, July 17 - Showtimes: 11:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM.
3rd in the Burg: The State Museum and the Planetarium are free of charge from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM on Friday, July 17 – Showtimes: 5:30 PM, 6:00 PM, 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM. Please be aware that space is limited per show and guests will be seated on a first come, first served basis.
“Art of the State”:
“Art of the State” is recognized as the official, statewide juried competition for Pennsylvania artists. This year's show includes 126 pieces from 122 artists. Jurors selected artwork from five categories: Craft, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Work on Paper. All works are available for online viewing at www.flickr.com/patrailsofhistory. "Art of the State" runs through Sunday, September 13, 2015 with Gallery Walk. “Art of the State” is presented by Jump Street and The State Museum of Pennsylvania.
Learn@Lunchtime:
For summer 2015, Learn@Lunchtime programs focus on the 50th anniversary of the opening of The State Museum and Archives Complex as well as highlighting nature-related programs in the museum’s new Nature Lab, a multipurpose demonstration space adjacent to the natural history exhibits on the third floor of The State Museum. Nature Lab features live educational presentations, as well as interactive, hands-on learning experiences. Museum admission is free during the hours of Learn@Lunchtime, Fridays July 3 through August 28 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM. For a full schedule of Learn@Lunchtime events, please visit www.statemuseumpa.org/events.
Meet the Experts
The State Museum offers visitors the opportunity to engage with museum curators and representatives of various Pennsylvania State agencies through its new “Summer 2015 in Nature Lab: Meet the Experts” series. Specialists in fields ranging from archaeology to environmental protection will lead hands-on programs geared toward all ages and designed to educate visitors about the rich natural world of Pennsylvania. Many of the programs in the series will be headed by representatives of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the State Library of Pennsylvania. Each 40-minute session will be hosted in Nature Lab. For a complete listing of programs featuring the Meet the Experts series, please visit www.statemuseumpa.org/news.
The Planetarium at The State Museum of Pennsylvania: The planetarium is offering two shows from June 3 through August 30, 2015:
Zula Patrol: Under the Weather (Pre-K to grade 1):
The animated characters of the Zula Patrol are on a mission to stop Dark Truder from becoming ruler of Zula. While on the mission they will learn about the weather in our Solar System, weather’s six components, and the differences of both type and scale found in our Solar System.
11:00 AM Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
11:00 AM and 1:00 PM Saturday
1:00 PM Sunday
We Are Astronomers (grade 4 and up):
This exciting show reveals the global collaboration, technology and dedication required to answer the unresolved questions of the universe. Explore how astronomers use the electromagnetic spectrum in studying the universe. And hear from astronomers on the challenges they face in sharing and storing data. Take an up-close look at new technologies like the James Webb Telescope and the Large Hadron Collider. Narrated by David Tennant
12:00 PM Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
12:00 PM and 2:00 PM Saturday
2:00 PM Sunday
Note: Due to special programming for the Planetarium 50th Anniversary celebration, Zula Patrol and We Are Astronomers will not be showing the week of July 15 through July 19. Special shows and times for these dates are listed under the Planetarium 50th celebration.
Planetarium shows are $3 per person in addition to general admission. Planetarium admission is free to State Museum Affiliate Members and Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation Members.
The State Museum of Pennsylvania will be closed Saturday, July 4 in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
The State Museum of Pennsylvania, adjacent to the State Capitol in Harrisburg, is one of 25 historic sites and museums administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission as part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History®. The State Museum offers expansive collections interpreting Pennsylvania’s fascinating heritage. With exhibits examining the dawn of geologic time, the Native American experience, the colonial and revolutionary era, a pivotal Civil War battleground, and the commonwealth's vast industrial age, The State Museum demonstrates that Pennsylvania's story is America’s story.
Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Admission is $7 for adults (ages 12-64), $6 for senior citizens (ages 65 and up), and $5 for children (ages 1-11).
For more information about the museum, visit www.statemuseumpa.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639
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