The Museum of Nature & Science will be open with regular hours on Monday (Jan. 16) for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with fun for all ages throughout the holiday weekend.
A recent visit with a 2 year old, 7 year old and 11 year old boy was delightful. Even the toddler could enjoy himself expressing his “artistic” side on the daily mural children can add their sharks to. The middle child is fascinated with sharks so the exhibit was a special treat to him. He listened closely as the speaker shared special details on specific sharks.
The interactive exhibit features short videos which with a press of a button visitors can learn about sharks that swam the seas millions of years ago. One of the more fascinating exhibits to me was the teeth. Sometimes entire set of teeth were encased and displayed stretching the mouth to see that a small child would merely be a snack for the shark on display. Also in a case a pile of tiny teeth totalled over 20,000 teeth.
Sharky Sunday kicks off with special guest speaker Chris Schreiber of the Georgia Aquarium on Sunday (Jan. 15) from 1 – 3 p.m. Schreiber recently appeared on “Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin” collecting blood samples from wild whale sharks in Cancun. He will be on hand to talk about his field research in tagging, genetics and conservation.
Also, a third LIVE shark has just been added to the two-tank lobby aquarium display. Visitors can see the live sharks feed at 11 a.m. Friday (Jan. 13).
Other highlights include a shark dissection at 1 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 14); the new Planet Shark: Just for Kids activity area featuring a collaborative daily art mural and underwater-themed activities within the 12,000-square-foot Planet Shark: Predator or Prey exhibition; daily live shows (free with general admission) and Planetarium shows Saturday through Monday; The Trinity photography exhibition; and IMAX® films.
The Museum of Nature & Science in Fair Park Science Building (1318 S. 2nd Ave.) and Nature Building (3535 Grand Ave.) offers free parking in the lot across from the Science Building. Enter at Gate 5 or Gate 6 off Robert B. Cullum Blvd.
Regular general exhibit admission is $10 for adults 18-61; $9 for seniors 62+ and students 12-17; $7 for children 2-11; children under 2 are free. MNS members of all ages are admitted for free.
Planet Shark: Predator or Prey requires a surcharge in addition to the purchase of MNS general admission for a total admission cost of $18 for adults 18-61; $16 for seniors 62+ and students 12-17; $13 for children 2-11; and $5 for MNS members of all ages. Children under 2 are free. Planet Shark tickets include admission to all MNS buildings.
IMAX® shows require additional tickets: $7.50 for adults 18-61 (member adults $6); $6.50 for seniors 62+, students 12-17 and children 2-11 (member seniors, students and children $5). Children under 2 are free.
For more info: 214-428-5555 or natureandscience.org.
