North Museum’s Shallow Seas Available for Traveling Exhibit
North Museum’s Shallow Seas Available for Traveling Exhibit
First exhibit fully curated from North Museum’s collections
(LANCASTER) SEPT 29, 2024—From the North Museum’s 250,000+ objects in its collections, a new main exhibit brings forward its cache of marine-based treasures as Shallow Seas, now through May 31, 2025. Highlighting animal and plant life found in the sunlit waters around the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, the 1,500 square-foot exhibit includes informational panels, collections’ objects, and opportunities to repurpose existing exhibit fixtures that combine to be an exhibit that the North Museum is offering as a traveling exhibition.
Through the exploration of three marine habitats—the Caribbean Sea, Coastal Atlantic, and Arctic Ocean—specimens of sea life, shells, and plants depict life that is present in each ecosystem, and how each has evolved traits to survive and sometimes thrive in their environments.
“There are over 100 different marine species represented in this exhibit across a wide span of the animal kingdom, making Shallow Seas a great entry point to the interconnected nature of our marine habitats, appealing to all students who have an interest in our oceans,” said Molly Wolanski, North Museum’s exhibits and collections manager. “While visitors will be more familiar with species like hermit crabs, sharks, and corals, they will also encounter lesser-known species like the arrow crab or blood olive (related to a cowrie).”
The self-directed exhibit features signage and bold graphics presented in both English and Spanish. Dozens of items such as the jaws of a Great White Shark, a Narwhal tusk and walrus skull add the three-dimensional experience to the dynamic panels.
"Designing these panels has allowed us to share North Museum’s treasured collection in a fun, engaging way,” said creative director Jon Derk. “By embracing bilingual storytelling, we’re excited to connect with every visitor and invite them to experience the rich stories of our oceans and how we are connected to them. The way this exhibit is designed to travel will allow other museums the ability to customize the panels to fit their own unique collections and floor space.”
Inquiries regarding the traveling exhibition should be directed to Jon Derk at jderk@northmuseum.org or 717.358.4149.
“Shallow Seas marks a new milestone in exhibition development as North Museum’s first exhibit that is curated entirely from its collections,” said CEO Andrea Rush. “We are excited to share this experience with other museums’ visitors, as they will be immersed in the fascinating ecosystems of sunlit waters from the Caribbean to the Arctic and learn how we can work together to limit further damage to these resources.”
Visitors explore how these ocean habitats are connected through ocean currents and migratory species, as Shallow Seas explores the fragility of these systems and the threats they face in a changing world and warming ocean. An optional collaborative artwork project allows visitors to lend their creative touch to the exhibit by enhancing an ever-evolving coral reef with underwater life that can be colored and added, making the experience informative and appealing to all ages.
Now in its 72nd year, the North Museum of Nature and Science impacts thousands of central Pennsylvania students and their families annually through its education initiatives in the Museum, in the community, and at home. Programs include field trips, early childhood education programs, summer camps, STEM Sisters, the Science and Engineering Fair for middle and high school students, and many other educational programs designed to create access to free and reduced-cost STEM learning opportunities and strengthen the foundation of youth in the Lancaster community and beyond. For more information on Sponsorships and Giving, please contact Scott Downs, Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships at sdowns@northmuseum.org or 717-358-7188.
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GSK Science in the Summer–Record Success
Students became “Space Scientists” during GSK’s Science in the Summer™ at North Museum in collaboration with the Franklin Institute.
The program, in its 38th year, has reached an estimated 23,400 nationwide!
The North Museum congratulates 902 area students, ranging from Pre-K through grade 12, who completed GSK's (GlaxoSmithKline's) Science in the Summer™ program this past summer, presented by the North Museum of Nature & Science. The number of attendees was a new record this year, increasing the impact of this already popular seasonal program. This summer's theme was "Be a Space Scientist," and it offered students the unique opportunity to step into the shoes of real scientists and engineers, engaging in exciting hands-on activities that brought the world of space exploration to life. Students discovered different career paths, from Astrobiologist to Spacesuit Designer, and developed their scientific thinking skills in a fun and interactive way.
The program was made possible by a generous grant of $20,000 from GSK, with curriculum developed by the Franklin Institute.
We would also like to thank our outstanding community partners for working with our team on successful outreach and implementation:
- The Mix at Arbor Place
- Project Purpose
- Lebanon County Library
- Janus School
- Boys & Girls Club
- North Museum
A combination of trained educators, made up North Museum staff members and volunteers from our partner organizations, presented 27 programs over the summer.
The North Museum, GSK, and the Franklin Institute are longtime collaborators on the Science in the Summer program, which primarily targets students in grades 2 through 6, with an emphasis on reaching those from underserved communities and lower income households.
Through its success at the museum, Science in the Summer programming was adapted and modified to be inclusive for students in Pre-K and grade 1, as well as those in middle school and high school.
"Thanks to GSK and the Franklin Institute we were able to reach over 900 students this summer,” says Kate Wilson, Senior Manager, Visitor & Volunteer Services. “This free program offers a hands-on look at various STEM careers which many students did not even know existed! Now they might want to pursue those paths in the future. This is an opportunity some of the members of our community would not normally have access to due to financial and other constraints. We look forward to offering this program each year, and can't wait for 2025!"
As a leader in STEM education and advocacy, the North Museum is proud to present GSK's Science in the Summer™ program to the community for many years, and is deeply grateful to GSK for their ongoing commitment to enriching the community through the utilization of and access to quality STEM education programs, and the exceptional curriculum provided by the Franklin Institute.
The theme for GSK's 2025 Science in the Summer™ program will emphasize Health Sciences.
If your organization has an interest in participating in GSK's 2025 Science in the Summer™ program, presented by the North Museum, please contact Kate Wilson, Senior Manager, Visitor & Volunteer Services at 717-358-4116, kwilson@northmuseum.org.
Dr. Nitin Tanna competed at the Lancaster County Science Fair as a 7th grader; now, he's a judge
"When Dr. Nitin Tanna and his family moved to Lancaster in 1972, Tanna was a fourth grader, and his primary concerns were developing his English speaking skills and adjusting to the unfamiliar environment he could come to call home. Tanna and his family moved to Lancaster as Ugandan refugees; he spoke Swahili and Gujrati. But Tanna did much more than improve his English in those first few years in America. By the end of seventh grade, he’d have a second place award from the Lancaster County Science Fair and a blossoming passion for scientific inquiry...."
Read this article by Olivia Schlinkman at lancasteronline.com
Lancaster County Bird Club Announces Strategic Partnership with North Museum of Nature and Science
LANCASTER COUNTY BIRD CLUB ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH NORTH MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE
Partnership will expand educational offerings on wild birds in Southcentral Pennsylvania
Feb 1, 2024. LANCASTER, Pa. — Lancaster County Bird Club (LCBC) has formed a strategic partnership with the North Museum of Nature and Science to enhance ornithological educational and outreach in Southcentral Pennsylvania with particular emphasis on finding ways to share the science of ornithology and the hobby of birding with residents of Southcentral Pennsylvania and help develop an understanding of wild birds and the conservation issues they face with today’s youth.
“Lancaster County Bird Club is proud to have a nearly 90-year history that has established us as one of the preeminent ornithological organizations not just in our area but the nation,” said Ted Nichols II, LCBC president. “Our ability to fulfill our mission is enhanced through building and strengthening partnerships with organizations in our area with similar missions. Strengthening our partnership with the North Museum – that goes back to their founding in 1953 – is a win-win for both of us when it comes to working together to explore ways to showcase the joys of birding and finding ways to inspire today’s youth – and all those that call Southcentral Pennsylvania home – by our feathered friends.”
As part of the partnership approved by the LCBC Board of Directors in December 2023, LCBC will now hold their September through March programs at the museum on the second Thursday of each of those month’s starting at 7 p.m. The programs are free and open to the public and feature a speaker on a topic related to the science of ornithology and the hobby of birding.
The organizations will also look at ways to collaborate on enhancing existing educational offerings related to wild birds and their conservation as well as expanding birding-related offerings to particularly target youth through engaging a variety of different youth-focused organizations. The partnership will also open ways for both entities to collaborate on birding-related offerings at Millport Conservancy where the museum recently took over oversight and support roles at and will utilize as a permanent outdoor classroom space. The two organizations will also explore ways to work together to see that the museum’s world-class ornithological collection – with most specimens dating back to the 1800s – will continue to inspire for generations to come.
The Lancaster County Bird Club has a long history of involvement and association with the museum resulting from the club’s early ties to Franklin & Marshall College and ornithologists and staff at the college that would be key to the museum’s founding. Lancaster County Bird Club remains one of the longest-supporting financial contributors of the museum supporting the museum’s natural history program and world-class ornithological collection since its founding.
Lancaster County Bird Club has been dedicated to securing the cultivation of public sentiment in the preservation of Lancaster County’s native bird life since being founded in December of 1937. The club is a non-profit membership organization with a mission focused on bird observation, bird conservation, bird education and promoting the recording and dissemination of bird observations. The club contains more than 350 members and fulfills its mission through building partnerships and a variety of robust offerings such as field trips, lectures, programs, scholarships and more. More information on the club is available at www.lancasterbirdclub.org.
MEDIA NOTE: Media are invited to attend a kick-off event featuring members from both organizations on Feb. 8 starting at 7 p.m. at the North Museum of Nature and Science, 400 College Ave., Lancaster. Remarks on possibilities created by the new partnership will be given by leadership from both organizations and attendees will have an opportunity to peruse the museum’s ornithological collection and hear from F&M Professor Dan Ardia on how the collection continues to be used for research today. Please RSVP to lancastercountybirdclub@gmail.com prior to the event if you plan to attend.
Listen: The Spark Interview-Dinosaurs Among Us exhibit makes U.S. premier at North Museum in Lancaster
Dinosaurs Among Us exhibit makes U.S. premier at North Museum in Lancaster
Airdate: Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Scott LaMar/WITF
Listen to this episode of The Spark below.
So many people are fascinated with dinosaurs and it’s not just kids.
There’s a new exhibit at the North Museum of Nature and Science in Lancaster that just opened last Saturday that is sure to draw those people from far and wide who want to learn and see more.
It’s called Dinosaurs Among Us and the North Museum is the only museum in the U.S. selected by the American Museum of Natural History to host the exhibition.
Watch: ABC27news story, Family Fun Festival Hosted by North Museum & Millport Conservancy
Cosmic Bash Family Fun Festival Hosted by North Museum & Millport Conservancy
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Watch: FOX43 Story, Helping Students Learn During Pandemic
How a Lancaster County museum is helping students learn and providing relief to families during the pandemic
FOX43.com
Dec 21, 2020.