HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING!

December 2011-January 2012 Event Listing

December 01, 2011

Discovery Place

Mummies of the World
With its astounding collection of 150 specimens, including real human and animal mummies and related artifacts, Mummies of the World is the largest exhibition of real human and animal mummies and related artifacts ever assembled. Through modern science and engaging interactive and multi-media exhibits, the exhibition reveals how the scientific study of mummies provides a window into the lives of ancient people, offering unprecedented insights into past cultures and civilizations. It also demonstrates that mummification – both through natural processes and intentional practices – has taken place all over the globe, from the hot desert sands of South America to remote European moors and bogs.

• Now through April 8, 2012
• See website for ticket prices and more information
• 704.372.6261 x300; mummies.discoveryplace.org

Featured in Discovery 3D Theatre
Hold on to your seat and your senses and get ready to experience Discovery 3D Theatre, the Museum’s digital movie experience. With the help of 3D glasses, movies leap from the screen. Featured films are 15 – 20 minutes in length and are free with Museum admission. Discovery 3D Theatre is currently showing:

Dolphins 3D: Tribes of the Ocean
This awe-inspiring underwater documentary by Jean-Michel Costeau will take visitors to the coral reefs of the Bahamas for a close encounter with the surviving dolphin tribes of the ocean. Explore many little-known aspects of these fascinating and fragile creatures capable of sophisticated communication and social interaction.

• Now through November 30, 2012
• Free with Museum admission
• Shows throughout the day

Bugs!
Explore the extraordinary world of insects including the life cycles of a praying mantis and a butterfly, and watch their evolution from birth to the inevitable meeting of predator meets prey. Southeast Asia sets the scene for this entertaining film where scorpions, tarantulas, frogs, lizards and other creatures cavort in a rainforest jungle, some magnified 250,000 times their normal size.

• Now through May 31, 2012
• Free with Museum admission
• Shows throughout the day

Explore More Stuff Lab
What is “stuff” and how does it change? Discover the secrets of stuff in Explore More Stuff, a lab environment where matter and energy are explored and tested. Themes change monthly.
December 2011: Science and Toys – Play your way to a new appreciation of the intriguing link between toys and science.
January 2012: Robotics – Experience the sophistication of technology while tinkering with electrical and mechanical automatons.

Explore More Life Lab
Explore More Life is Discovery Place’s one-of-a-kind hands-on lab featuring aquatic life and activities that focus on living species and organisms. Themes change monthly. Explore More Life is presented by Carolinas Medical Center.
December 2011: Water: Get attracted to water molecules while learning about adhesion and cohesion through hands on discovery. Visitors will use microscopes to study pond water, test water quality and discover the differences in salt water and fresh water.
January 2012: Weather: Escape the chill and learn about weather by experimenting with humidity, becoming a raindrop or learning about weather instruments. Discover what it takes to be a meteorologist and how we can forecast our own weather.

Explore More Collections Lab
Explore Discovery Place’s extensive collection and the process of finding, identifying and connecting objects with the natural world.
Around the World — Go international with global items from Discovery Place’s collections. Guests can match stamps, coins, sand, dolls, minerals and other items to their place of origin while getting up close to elephant tusks, textiles, dinosaur footprints, a rhinoceros head, fossils and more. Make sure to check out a new collection of masks from locations around the world including Africa, Alaska, Mexico, South America and India.

The Charlotte Observer IMAX® Dome Theatre
The Charlotte Observer IMAX® Dome Theatre is the largest screen in the Carolinas, spanning five stories high and 80 feet wide. The unique curvature of the IMAX Dome surrounds movie viewers with 15,000 watts of sound and light, creating the effect of being in the film!

Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs
The fascinating civilization of Egypt paired with the spellbinding intrigue of mummies and the secrets they hold offer an irresistible glimpse into the mummy-making culture of ancient Egyptians. Join researchers and explorers as they piece together archeological and genetic clues to create a window into the fascinating and mysterious world of the pharaohs.

• Now through April 8
• See website for ticket prices and showtimes
• 704.372.6261 x300; discoveryplace.org

Born To Be Wild
This family-friendly documentary will transport moviegoers around the world to the far stretches of Kenya and Borneo, inspiring them to take action and save Earth’s precious creatures. Narrated by Academy-Award® winner Morgan Freeman, Born to be Wild is an inspiring story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals. This film documents orphaned orangutans and elephants and the extraordinary people who rescue and raise them—saving endangered species one life at a time.

• Now through May 31, 2012
• See website for ticket prices and showtimes
• 704.372.6261 x300; discoveryplace.org discoveryplace.org

Rescue
Rescue offers a firsthand look at the long-standing tradition of both military and civilian response to natural disasters. The film follows the training and actual assignment of four key characters, who unexpectedly experienced a dose of reality when one of the worst natural catastrophes in history, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, struck in the middle of production.

• Now through December 31, 2011
• See website for ticket prices and showtimes
• 704.372.6261 x300; discoveryplace.org


Charlotte Nature Museum

Calling All Cluckers – Chicken Day
Meet feathered fowl friends and learn about the diversity of this popular pet and food supplier.

• Saturday, January 21
• 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Free with Museum admission
• 704.372.6261 x300; charlottenaturemuseum.org


Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville

December: Winter Wonderland
When snow covers the world and frost twinkles, holiday traditions and chilly temperatures go hand-in-hand. Warm up young imaginations with play and winter-themed activities throughout the Museum.

Team Spirit Days – Support your favorite team by wearing their colors or logo.
• December 4, 11, 18
• Free with Museum admission

Workshop Wednesdays – Become a musician, act on the stage, dive deep under the ocean…there’s so much to explore and learn during the Museum’s Workshops. Different themes allow young minds the chance to learn about what they CAN do.
• December 7: Let It Snow
• December 14: The Mitten
• December 21: Winter Animals
• Workshops are $5 per child (caregivers admitted free). Register in advance by calling 704.372.6261 x300. Walk-up registration allowed as space permits.

Holiday Travel – Voyage around the world and learn about the holidays celebrated by children in other cultures.
• December 6 (Holland/Ukraine)
• December 8 (France/England)
• December 13 (China/India)
• December 15 (Australia/New Zealand)
• December 20 (Hanukkah)
• December 22 (Brazil/Chile)
• December 27 (Kwanza)
• Free with Museum admission

Hanukkah Celebration and Dreidel-Making – The spotlight is on Hanukkah as we celebrate the holiday by making dreidels out of clay.
• December 17
• Free with Museum admission

Trash to Treasure – Bring in all of your Holiday Recyclables and turn them into treasure.
• December 29
• Free with Museum admission

January: Wild and Wacky Weather
Weather is all around us! Become a meteorologist-in-training and discover how different types of weather can affect you, your family and the environment.

Music & Movement - Get the Holiday wiggles out in this fun interactive class. Dance to the beat and groove with your feet.
• January 3
• 11:15-11:45 a.m.; 1:15-1:45 p.m.
• Free with Museum admission

Workshop Wednesdays – Become a musician, act on the stage, dive deep under the ocean…there’s so much to explore and learn during the Museum’s Workshops. Different themes allow young minds the chance to learn about what they CAN do.
• January 4: Wind Power
• January 11: Water, Water Everywhere
• January 18: Snow and Ice
• January 25: Sunny Days
• Workshops are $5 per child (caregivers admitted free). Register in advance by calling 704.372.6261 x300. Walk-up registration allowed as space permits.

It’s for the Birds – Make a winter bird feeder for your feathered friends to enjoy.
• January 5
• 11:15-11:45 a.m.; 1:15-1:45 p.m.
• Free with Museum admission

Penguin Paradise - Get ready to waddle as we explore the world of penguins. Enjoy some hands on science experiments along with some unique penguin activities.
• January 10
• 11:15-11:45 a.m.; 1:15-1:45 p.m.
• Free with Museum admission

Snow Flake Art - Learn how to cut paper in unique ways to create a beautiful snow flake or paint your own winter scene.
• January 12
• 11:15-11:45 a.m.; 1:15-1:45 p.m.
• Free with Museum admission

Ice Paintings - Grab your mittens and create a beautiful picture out of colored ice.
• January 17
• 11:15-11:45 a.m.; 1:15-1:45 p.m.
• Free with Museum admission

World Day of Snowman - Come in to make a snowman and help us celebrate The World Day of Snowman! Snowmen represent peace and happiness and in known in many countries that do not even receive one snow flake.
• January 18
• All Day

Tornado Tubes - Make some wild and wacky weather and do some fun science experiments.
• January 19
• 11:15-11:45 a.m.; 1:15-1:45 p.m.
• Free with Museum admission

Good Night Gorilla - Go on an animal scavenger hunt in the museum as we celebrate one of our favorite books, Good Night Gorilla.
• January 24
• 11:15-11:45 a.m.; 1:15-1:45 p.m.
• Free with Museum admission

Animal Tracks - Whose tracks are whose? Find out which tracks belong to which animal and how the animals stay warm in the winter months.
• January 26
• 11:15-11:45 a.m.; 1:15-1:45 p.m.
• Free with Museum admission

Pen Pal Day - Write a letter to children at a different children’s museum. Find out what they like to do and what their favorite things are. Look for return letters in February.
• January 31
• 11:15-11:45 a.m.; 1:15-1:45 p.m.
• Free with Museum admission

Toys for Tots: Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville is participating in the Toys for Tots program as a Toy Drop-off Center. Bring joy to children’s faces by donating a new toy. Bins will be located in the Grand Lobby. Toy drop-off dates: December 9, 10 and 11, 2011.

Fun First Friday
Join us each Friday for fun, themed activities throughout the Museum. Fun First Fridays at Discovery Place KIDS during the months of December 2011 and January 2012 include:

• December 2 – Tree Decorating: Get in the holiday spirit by decorating our holiday tree with donations of hats, gloves and mittens to help those in need, and make your own special ornament to take home.
• December 9 – Toys for Tots: Help make the holidays special for children in need by donating a new toy.
• December 16 – Holiday Cookie Decorating: Sweets for the sweet! Come enjoy a fun day decorating cookies and licking your fingers! You can try to catch “The Gingerbread Man” during Story time.
• December 23 – Favorite Holiday Jammies Day: Pitter, patter on in with your favorite jammies! You can cuddle up with great holiday books and enjoy hot (warm) cocoa.
• December 30 – Best New Year’s Get Up: Celebrate a New Year in your best outfit! Get ready to make some noise in I CAN Create by making noise makers, hats and 2012 glasses. Continue the fun on Saturday too!
• January 6 – Beach Day: Ward of the winter blues with a fun day at the beach. Make sand castles, flip flop art, and learn the Hula.
• January 13 – I Have a Dream: Celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with us all day. Create a Dream Cloud, and help complete our diversity banner with your hand print.
• January 20 – Chinese New Year: celebrate the year of the Dragon by making Chinese lanterns, dancing paper dragons and much more. Join us for a Chinese New Year Parade at 11:45 and 4:45.
• January 27 – Going on a Bear Hunt: Bring your favorite Teddy Bear or make one with us! Go on a Bear Hunt and enjoy beary fun activities all day long!


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