Science fare
Nov 16, 2005 |
On Nov. 19, the Bishop Museum unveils its new Science Adventure Center, where the emphasis is definitely on adventure, some of it rising to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s the temperature at which rock melts, and in one of the center’s interactive exhibits, you’ll see volcanic cinder puddle down to its liquid form, flow out at a cooler 2,500 degrees and solidify into something much like obsidian–black volcanic glass.
In addition to the flowing lava, there’s also a 26-foot high volcano–the center’s main attraction–that will erupt at your command, fully obedient to your pyrotechnic whims. Also, you can wend your way down a lava tube, pilot submarine robotic cameras through a huge deep-sea tank, discover the biodiversity of the flora and fauna collection and get a closer look at a mosquito’s proboscis than you ever thought you’d care to–you can even scope out its DNA.
Bishop Museum is also considering hosting social functions in its 16,500- square-foot space. After all, for a romantic evening, there’s nothing quite like a volcano spurting away in the moonlight. Hey, it worked for Pele and Kamapua’a.
@CC TEXT EVENT INFO:Bishop Museum Science Adventure Center, 1525 Bernice St, 9am to 5pm daily, $3 on 11/19, general admission $14.95 adults, $11.95 children and seniors, free parking, 847-3511.
