Sparks!A Newsletter for Members and Friends of the Museum of Science

New Decade, New PresidentFor Tim Ritchie, “Science centers are in the opportunity business.”

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T he Museum of Science has a new leader to fuel its growth. On February 3, STEM educator Tim Ritchie became the Museum’s next president, following a rigorous national search. Ritchie brings to his new role extensive strategic planning, financial, and community-

building experience, and a deep commitment to making science education accessible for all.

For eight years, Ritchie led The Tech Interactive (The Tech), a science and technology center in San Jose, California. Under his leadership, The Tech won numerous awards and expanded its connections to underrepresented communities in Silicon Valley and around the world. At The Tech—and throughout his career—Ritchie has focused on making science and technology accessible.

“We live in a world that is abundant with talent, but not with opportunity,” he says. “I am honored to be joining the Museum of Science, with its established record of broadening access to STEM, and I am excited to deepen this commitment in the community.”

APRIL – MAY 2020 Inside This Issue

• New Era for the Museum

• Awesome Antiquities

• Superpower Dogs

I am honored to be joining the Museum of Science, with its established record of broadening access to STEM

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New Era, New Leader

Ritchie joins the Museum at an exciting new phase. As part

of our 10-year Master Plan, we’re boldly expanding our role

as a dynamic resource for curious minds of all ages and

backgrounds. This includes transforming the iconic Blue Wing,

the Museum’s largest hall. The first two major exhibits, Arctic

Adventure: Exploring with Technology, and Engineering Design

Workshop, Powered by MathWorks, both open later this year.

These exhibits, combined with the Museum’s deep community

programs, new preK – 8 curricula, a new Planetarium show,

and a digitized Omni theater, all kick off a year of exciting

changes and a platform on which to build.

STEM for All

While Ritchie didn’t set out to lead science centers, his career

has been driven by a commitment for creating opportunities for

people to live with dignity and hope. A lawyer by trade, Ritchie

received his bachelor’s degree from Davidson College, a law

degree from Duke, and a master’s in public administration

from the Harvard Kennedy School. During his career, he’s

helped defend people on death row and worked in a poverty

law clinic. He left his law practice to create education programs

in the largest public housing community in Birmingham,

Alabama, and later became the CEO of a nonprofit in Louisville,

Kentucky that serves adults with disabilities. These experiences

deeply informed his commitment to enabling everyone to

Get to Know Tim Ritchie The Museum’s new president is excited to be back in the Bay State. Ritchie:

• Lives walking distance from the Museum with his wife of 36 years, Christine. “Our two children are married so it’s been fun to move back to Boston and be like newlyweds again.”

• Loves weather, even Boston weather. “San Francisco feels unnatural because it’s so nice most of the time. You never know what season it is.”

• Is a big Red Sox fan. “When I was here in ’98, I got to see Pedro pitch against Bartolo Colon at Fenway. Amazing baseball.”

• Has run 10 marathons, including the 2009 Boston Marathon. “The fans along the route are the loudest, most knowledgeable in the world. What else do you expect from Boston?”

• Has a West Highland Terrier named Mitchell. “I loved the Dogs! A Science Tail exhibit and can’t wait to see Superpower Dogs in the new Mugar Omni Theater.”

achieve their potential. In particular, observing youth in public

housing demonstrate mastery of technology fueled Ritchie’s

passion for “STEM for all.” “I could see their talent,” he says.

“They just were born on the wrong side of the opportunity gap.”

“Science and technology will be the key to solving the great

issues of our time—how to live sustainably and humanely. If

you have access to the STEM toolbox, you have the agency to

create the future. That is what science centers should be about,

and that’s what the Museum of Science is about.”

Fueling the Rocket

For Ritchie, science centers have two great powers—to convene

and to inspire. And they play a catalytic role in partnerships

with schools, families, and other institutions. “A science center

is like a rocket on a satellite,” Ritchie says, “It fires at just the

right time to give you a different trajectory, a different altitude.

From that vantage point, you get a different vision for yourself,

your community, and your world.”

Ritchie is excited to pilot the rocket that is the Museum of

Science. “What happens here will reverberate around our

country and across the globe.”

Science and technology will be the key to solving the great issues of our time—how to live sustainably and humanely.

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Article Photos © Nicolaus Czarnecki

Nearly 100 years after the discovery that captivated the world,

KING TUT: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh—the largest

collection of Tutankhamun’s treasures ever to travel out of

Egypt—opens Saturday, June 13 at The Saunders Castle at

Park Plaza for a limited engagement. Thanks to a special

partnership between IMG Worldwide and the Museum of

Science, members have the opportunity to purchase

tickets before they go on sale to the general public*.

Additionally, members will receive a 20% discount on

up to four tickets for dates through November 19, 2020.

Awe-Inspiring Artifacts

Featuring more than 150 original artifacts from King Tut’s

tomb, 60 are on their first journey outside Egypt, in part to

celebrate the upcoming centennial of their discovery. Enjoy

this chance to behold the golden king’s treasures before they

return to Cairo to join the full permanent collection at the

new Grand Egyptian Museum.

The last time an exhibition of King

Tut’s treasures visited Boston was

in 1963. Nearly five times the size

of that tour, KING TUT: Treasures

of the Golden Pharaoh explores the

meaning of the items in the royal

tomb and the dual storyline of

its discovery against all odds. The

pharaohs who succeeded King

Tut nearly managed to erase

him from history. Had British

archaeologist Howard Carter

not persisted in his quest

nearly 100 years ago,

the boy king’s legacy

and treasures could

have been forever lost.

Exclusive Member Opportunity

This exhibition will be hosted at The Saunders Castle at Park Plaza, 130 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA, 02116.

The Saunders Castle at Park Plaza is a truly unique

venue, ideally located in Boston’s Back Bay. Originally

The Armory, completed by the Massachusetts First

Corps of Cadets in 1897, it is the only remaining

High Victorian armory in the City of Boston and is a

designated National Historic Landmark.

King Tut’s Treasures RevealedVisit The Saunders Castle at Park Plaza to experience the world’s final Tutankhamun tour!

Immersive Experience

Through nine immersive galleries that incorporate digital

content, contextual material, and audio and custom soundscapes,

you’ll follow King Tut’s passage into everlasting life, discovering

how his funerary objects were used on the perilous journey.

Produced by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities and IMG,

the Museum of Science is the exhibition’s official museum

partner for Boston.

For more information on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at The Saunders Castle at Park Plaza, visit mos.org/tut.

*Member emails announcing March pre-sale dates have already been sent. If you receive this Sparks between March 16 and 24, be sure to use your member code to reserve!

Superpower Dogs Coming soon to Omni!

Dynamic Dogs on the Big Screen Meet the real-life superheroes who bark among us in the IMAX® adventure Superpower Dogs.

Whether it’s poachers threatening wildlife along Kenya’s vibrant plains or

thundering avalanches in British Columbia’s snowcapped mountains—the

world will always need real heroes. Although, as the four-legged stars of

Superpower Dogs prove, it’s not always a caped crusader who answers the

call. Marvel at the extraordinary superpowers of six remarkable dogs when

the newly digitized Mugar Omni Theater reopens!

Fast Paced, Faster Tails

Filmmakers of the acclaimed Jerusalem and Journey to Mecca have joined

forces again to create this high-energy adventure. Witness how our best friends

perceive their surroundings through animated odor trails. Graphic overlays

illustrate the physical characteristics behind these pups’ amazing abilities,

such as webbed paws and double layers of fur. And Captain America himself,

actor and Massachusetts native Chris Evans, completes your superhero

experience as he narrates the film’s sweeping action and fascinating science.

Courageous K9s

Superpower Dogs puts a spotlight on rookie Halo and Fire Captain “Cat” Labrada

(yes, that’s her real name) of Miami Dade County and their mission to pass the

federal emergency assessment. You’ll also learn the stories of avalanche rescue

specialist Henry, expert trackers Tipper and Tony, Italian Coast Guard member

Reef, and Californian surfer Ricochet (not shown).

Great Film, Fantastic Theater

You can catch all these incredible crime fighting and lifesaving canines when

the Omni reopens after a brief refresh that includes an increase in wheelchair

accessible seating, a conversion to digital technology, new lighting, audio, and more.

According to theater manager Robin Doty, “Thanks to the ongoing generosity of

David Mugar, we’ve been able to heighten the breathtaking impact of our theater.

What better way to bring that home? This seemingly unlikely subject for the giant

screen holds a new perspective for how we view our most trusted companions.”

A Paw-sitively Perfect Day

After the screening, dig deeper with Dogs! A Science Tail, the interactive exhibition

that demonstrates life from a dog’s point of view. Don’t miss your chance for a day

of doggie discovery before the exhibit leaves the Museum May 25.

Superpower Dogs is co-produced by IMAX and Cosmic Picture, and sponsored by MARS Petcare.

Sponsored by

Henry

Halo

Tipper and Tony

Reef

Cambridge Science Festival at the Museum April 18 – 26

A Citywide Science CelebrationMake the Museum your home base for this year’s Cambridge Science Festival.

For the past 13 years, the Cambridge Science Festival has focused on making

science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics both accessible and fun.

It’s 10 dynamic days filled with over 200 workshops, demonstrations, and tours

hosted at more than 70 venues across Cambridge and beyond. This spring—as

always—the Museum is at the center of it all, ready to ignite your curiosity!

Season of Science

Want to know why elite runners wrap themselves in tin foil after a big

race? Interested in how those RFID tags work? Get the answers and

more during Boston Marathon® Days April 18 and 19. Also on April 19,

explore how we can protect our planet through chemistry with hands-on

activities like cleaning up a model oil spill, experimenting with natural dye,

and learning about ocean acidification.

The Gordon Current Science & Technology Center buzzes with activity throughout

the festival. From April 21 to 24, meet a WCVB Storm Team 5 meteorologist,

and learn how modern technology is making forecasting more accurate than

ever. Later in the week, April 24 and 25, delve into the intricate world of pop-up

literature with paper engineer Robert Sabuda. The New York Times bestselling

author will host two presentations on this intriguing mix of art and mathematics.

Earth Day Excitement

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day—the world’s largest

environmental movement. Join us for this milestone April 22 as we celebrate

with Go Carbon Neutral! A Transportation Challenge, sponsored by General

Motors. Walk among the poster presentations to see how our undergraduate

competitors plan to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions produced by

Boston’s transportation systems.

Experience More

Most festival activities at the Museum are free with Exhibit Halls admission.

While here, head to the Museum plaza for our daily Solar Lunch series and

observe the Sun using our safe, solar telescope (weather permitting). Also,

investigate the work of local innovators on permanent display, like the Van de

Graaff generator. Invented by an MIT professor, it’s the star of our fan-favorite

Lightning! show in the Theater of Electricity.

For more ways to spark your scientific inquiry, visit mos.org/events. To view a complete list of locations and offerings, check out cambridgesciencefestival.org.

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3 Poetry in Action Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Mayor’s Office

of Arts and Culture, in partnership with several

nonprofit organizations, named Museum

volunteer Alondra Bobadilla as Boston’s first-

ever Youth Poet Laureate. During her two-year

term, the Fenway High School student will

work alongside the city’s Poet Laureate, Porsha

Olayiwola, to advocate for poetry, language,

and the arts through public readings and

events. Bobadilla began volunteering for

the Museum’s Eye Opener Program last

September. In her role, the 17-year-old helps

Boston Public Schools second-grade students

explore the Exhibit Halls and encourages their

curiosity for STEM topics.

4 How Hot Is Wicked Hot? Last summer, over 50 volunteer citizen

scientists joined Museum researchers to

participate in Wicked Hot Boston, a

NOAA-funded project in which they

captured temperatures and humidity levels

in Boston, Brookline, and Cambridge to gain

a better understanding of how extreme heat,

experienced over a sustained period, impacts

urban environments. Preliminary findings

gave a clear picture of extreme heat in Boston,

and the researchers identified key areas with

exceptionally high real-feel temperatures and

those affected by the urban heat island effect.

To learn more about the project and see future

programs, visit scistarter.org/noaa.

1 Running for a Cause Museum enthusiast Sue Graham Johnston

and Museum Advisor Chad Hauff have

joined forces again to run in the 124th

Boston Marathon® on April 20 to support

the Museum’s Traveling Programs. “I am

running because science museums have the

power to change lives by exciting kids about

STEM. I love that the Traveling Programs

ignite that spark for kids who might not be

able to come to the Museum itself,” Graham

Johnston says. Meet the other runners and

support the team at mos.org/marathon.

2 Conference Call In early April, the Museum’s EiE®,

Traveling Programs, and Field Trips are

teaming up to present programs and

curricula to over 10,000 educators at the

NSTA Annual Conference. Held in Boston,

this conference offers educators the latest

in science content, teaching strategy, and

research to expand their professional growth.

The EiE presentations will explore the social

impact of engineering and 3-D learning,

and in the booth, attendees can get a sneak

peek at our new integrated engineering and

science curriculum. The first 500 guests

to visit our booth will also receive an EiE

storybook, and all NSTA guests receive

free Museum entry April 2 – 5.

Museum News

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Did You Know? Bloodhounds have the most precise nose of any dog and can follow a scent for miles. Two bloodhound brothers, Tipper and Tony, have spent their lives protecting the animal residents of Kenya’s Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Learn about them and other canine heroes when the Omni film Superpower Dogs opens.

General Information

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESWilliam and Charlotte Bloomberg Science Education Center

A transformational $50 million gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies solidifies the Museum’s position as one of the world’s premier educational institutions by ensuring the ability of our educators to create and share world-class exhibits, programs, and K – 12 curricula on a global scale.

Field Trips

A field trip to the Museum is the perfect complement to classroom curriculum. To learn more about planning an unforgettable field trip: 617-723-2500, library@mos.org, mos.org/educators.

Traveling Programs

Bring a fun, interactive Museum program to your PreK – 8 school or community center! Information and reservations: 617-589-0354, travelingprograms@mos.org, mos.org/travelingprograms.

ACCESSIBILITYFor information or accommodation requests: 617-723-2500, accessibility@mos.org, mos.org/accessibility. Please request ASL interpreters at least two weeks in advance.

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING• Address 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114• Detailed Directions mos.org/directions • On-site Parking Museum garage parking is available first come, first served. Members receive a discount.

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The Museum garage (4th floor) houses Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations capable of charging up to four cars simultaneously. While there is no cost to charge your car, you will need a ChargePoint account to access. Regular garage parking fees apply. For more information: chargepoint.com.

Blue Bikes Share Program

Blue Bikes, metro Boston’s bicycle-sharing system, is available on the Museum’s front plaza. Blue Bikes is a regional partnership between Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville.

GROUP VISITSBring your group to the Museum of Science! For special pricing and more information: groupsales@mos.org, mos.org/group-visits.

EVENT PLANNINGHost your next event here! Food services provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering. For information: 617-589-0125 (Monday – Friday), events@mos.org, mos.org/private-events. Members are eligible for special rates.

BOSTON DUCK TOURSTickets sold on the front plaza. DUCKs depart from the driveway near the T. rex. Tours run daily, April – November. For reservations: 617-267-3825, bostonducktours.com.

SUPPORT THE MUSEUMIt’s easy when you shop on AmazonSmile! Go to smile.amazon.com and select the Museum of Science as your charity of choice. You’ll find all the same products, prices, and services that are on amazon.com, and the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases back to the Museum. Your online shopping can really make a difference!

Sparks! APRIL – MAY 2020

MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

Editors: Christopher DelConte Julianne Palazzo

Art Director: Nicole Guzzo

Designer: Cynthia Hoac

Contributor: Leslie Goldberg

Sparks is published bimonthly. Circulation: 55,000

© 2020 Museum of Science, Boston All rights reserved.

As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the Museum of Science counts on the support of its members and donors. Your involvement as a Museum member is greatly appreciated by everyone committed to making the Museum a rich, dynamic place for guests of all ages.

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE MUSEUM COMMUNITY!

For updates, special offers, and fun science:

Set up your member account to receive our Member E-News: mos.org/my-account

@

Photo © TMP Photos

EXHIBIT HALLS HOURS• Saturday – Thursday

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Friday 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

• Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day Closed

Subject to change. For updates: mos.org/hours.

TICKETS AND MEMBERSHIPAdvance reservations recommended. For current prices and to purchase tickets: mos.org.

For membership information: 617-589-0180, membership@mos.org, mos.org/membership.

QUESTIONS? Call Science Central at 617-723-2500.

Sparks!A Newsletter for Members and Friends of the Museum of Science

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