Tag Archives: arctic

Two exhibits at the Public Museum set to close at the end of April

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“Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGO Bricks” ends May 1. (Supplied)

By Kate Kocienkski
Grand Rapids Public Museum

Visitors have a limited time left to explore the popular Under the Arctic and Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGO® Bricks exhibitions at the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM). Under the Arctic’s last date to visit will be Sunday, April 25 and the last date to visit Wild Connections is Sunday, May 2.

“The Museum continues to offer an unforgettable experience for the community, and currently these popular exhibitions offer two distinct experiences allowing all ages to learn about science, ecosystems and the human impact on nature, in a fun and immersive way,” said Kate Kocienski, the GRPM’s Vice President of Marketing and PR. “Museums offer a low-risk opportunity for the community to get out of the house, spark their curiosity and create family memories, while learning and having fun. We encourage visitors to plan their trip in advance to see these exhibits before they leave Grand Rapids.”

 

Explore larger-than-life sculptures made with more than 2 million LEGO® bricks in Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGO® Bricks! Kids and adults are in awe of the stunning sculptures that teach about animal endangerment, ecosystems, and mankind’s relationship with nature. Favorites include the hummingbird that defies gravity, the mountain goats whose textured fur is made from small LEGO® brick people when you look closely at the detail, and the miniature cityscape. Wild Connections must be added in addition to general admission tickets for your visit.

Included with your admission tickets, Under the Arctic addresses climate change through the lens of a thawing Arctic environment to educate visitors about permafrost’s fascinating characteristics and its greater implications. Featuring various interactive components, this exhibit includes a 30-foot-long Alaskan permafrost tunnel replica, fossil research stations and interactive games.

Visit grpm.org to purchase tickets today to see these fascinating exhibitions before they are gone. Kent County residents receive discounted admission to the GRPM, including Kent County kids aged 17 and under receiving free general admission everyday! Wild Connections tickets are only $4 for the public and $2 for GRPM members.

 

“Under the Arctic” is set to close on April 25. (Supplied)

Advance ticket purchase is required before you visit to ensure a seamless and contactless entry for each visitor. Visitors are required to wear masks properly during the duration of their visit. The Museum offers a low-risk environment with increased sanitization stations and cleaning protocols, hospital grade HVAC ion filters for air filtration, and limited capacity for daily entrance to ensure social distancing.

Public Museum announces new exhibit on climate change and the arctic

Entertainment, Local Entertainment,
The Grand Rapids Public Museum will open the “Under the Arctic: Digging into Permafrost” in September. (Supplied)

By Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is excited to host a new exhibition, Under the Arctic: Digging into Permafrost, beginning Sept. 26. Under the Arctic addresses the subject of climate change through the lens of a thawing Arctic environment. The exhibit features interactive components including a 30-foot-long Alaskan permafrost tunnel replica, fossil research stations and interactive games. 

“Under the Arctic provides an educational and engaging space for all ages to learn more about climate change research, how it affects the environment, and what people can do to help preserve the planet’s health,” said Kate Kocienski, the GRPM’s Vice President of Marketing & PR. “We look forward to adding this exhibit to the Museum experience, included with the cost of general admission.”

Under the Arctic is a collaborative effort between the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) that transports visitors to the Arctic using the sights and smells of the nation’s only permafrost research tunnel. Visitors step into the boots of climate science researchers to explore real Ice Age fossils, ancient ice cores and engineering challenges posed by thawing permafrost.

“Climate change can be hard to wrap your head around. For a lot of people who don’t experience its effects, it feels abstract or distant – like something in the future,” said Allyson Woodard, an exhibit developer with OMSI. “This exhibit is an opportunity to make the impacts of climate change tangible – you can see it, touch it and even smell it.”

The permafrost tunnel in the “Under the Arctic” exhibit coming to the Grand Rapids Public Museum Sept. 26. (Supplied)

This exhibit strives to educate visitors about permafrost’s fascinating characteristics and its greater implications. Permafrost is soil that has been frozen for at least two years, and it traps an enormous amount of carbon dioxide. As it thaws, carbon is released into the atmosphere, which in turn has drastic repercussions for the planet.

 “We all know about melting ice caps and rising seas, but I don’t think it’s widely known that permafrost is thawing and releasing these carbon emissions,” said Catherine Diaz, Business Development Manager at OMSI. “It’s having a big impact, and it’s not really something that’s talked about.”

Under the Arctic will be located on the second floor of the GRPM, and is free with general admission. The exhibit will be on display from Saturday, Sept. 26 through Spring 2021. All hands-on components of the exhibition will be under a rigorous cleaning schedule, given the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about Under the Arctic, visit grpm.org/arctic. 

The GRPM is currently open and welcoming visitors to explore the three floors of core exhibitions, along with Bodies Revealed – extended through September 27. Limited capacity; advance ticketing is required. For additional details about the updated GRPM visitor experience, visit grpm.org.

About University of Fairbanks Geophysical Institute 
The Geophysical Institute is part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, America’s Arctic research university. Scientists at the Geophysical Institute study geophysical processes in action from the center of the Earth to the surface of the sun and beyond. Since its creation by an act of Congress in 1946, the institute has been turning data and observations into information useful for state and national needs. Located in Fairbanks, Alaska, the institute works and maintains facilities from Antarctica to Pacific islands to far northern Alaska. For more information about the Geophysical Institute and UAF, go to gi.alaska.edu.

About OMSI 
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI operates the largest museum-based outdoor science education program in the country and provides traveling and community outreach programs that bring science learning opportunities to schools and community organizations in nearly every county in Oregon. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, Oregon. For general information, call 503-797-4000 or visit omsi.edu.

Grand Rapids Public Museum
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is a publicly-owned institution that is home to more than 250,000 unique artifacts that tell the history of Kent County and beyond, houses the only planetarium in the region, and is responsible for protecting The Mounds, a national historic landmark. The Grand Rapids Public Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, with its main location in downtown Grand Rapids, MI at 272 Pearl St. NW. For additional information including hours of operation, admission fees and exhibit/event listings, please visit www.grpm.org.