August 2008
- Friday, August 1
- Watercolor Field Sketching
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Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center -
Field sketches are simple but accurate drawings executed out-of-doors in situ to document sightings, identify specimens, or to simply capture the flora and fauna of a special place. We will ramble the trails and fields to the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center pausing to sketch and paint whatever captures our curiosity. Along the way, international botanical artist/natural science illustrator Cynthia Padilla will instruct and demo each technique. A knowledgeable naturalist will accompany us.
More information [PDF]
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$175 Museum members, $200 non-members.
Contact August Wainwright at 505-841-2861 for registration information. - Return to the top
- First Friday Fractals
- 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:00 PM in the Planetarium
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The Fractal Foundation and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science invite you to a live fractal show in the Planetarium. Suitable for all ages, the show features both the science and the art of fractals, and includes dramatic animated footage of ultradeep fractal zooms, together with original, locally-produced music.
- $8 adults, $7 seniors, $5 ages 3-12, which includes a $1 service charge. Tickets available online.
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- Saturday, August 2
- First Saturday at the SMNHC
- 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center
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The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is open and free to the public the first Saturday of every month from March to September. From 9 AM to 3 PM, you can explore the bird/wildlife observation deck, geocaching, self-guided hikes, nature exhibits, and an orienteering course. Education sessions on specific themes are from 10 to 11 AM
This Saturday's theme: Orienteering—Learn the proper way to use a compass to find your way through one of our many orienteering courses.
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Free to the public
For more information or directions please contact the SMNHC staff at 281-5259 or email chris.modelski@state.nm.us, or check the SMNHC website. - Return to the top
- Tuesday, August 5
- Natural History of Cougars in New Mexico
- 7:00 PM in the DynaTheater
- Public Lecture by Travis Perry, Ph.D.
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Catch a glimpse into the world of one of the largest and most elusive predators in New Mexico. Dr. Perry will present his on-going cougar research in south-central New Mexico. Find out about how biologists employ the latest GPS technology and telemetry to track and understand cougars.
Dr. Perry is an Associate Professor of Biology at Furman University in South Carolina. He is conducting cougar research on and around the extensive Ladder and Armendaris Ranches in south-central New Mexico. His research interests include evolutionary ecology and conservation biology.
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$2 public/$1 members, seniors, students.
Reservations recommended: call Chris Sanchez at 841-2872 or email chris.sanchez@state.nm.us - Return to the top
- Saturday, August 9
- Tracking Cougars on the Ladder Ranch Trip
- 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- Field Experience led by Travis Perry, Ph.D.
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Located near Hillsboro, New Mexico, the spectacular Ladder Ranch encompasses more than 250,000 acres and is home to a diversity of wildlife including cougars. Dr. Perry will provide in-the-field instruction on recognizing cougar sign, tracks, and cache sites. Learn about cougar behavior, their role in the ecosystem, and their interaction with humans. Participate in on-going research and use telemetry to track the three collared cougars on the ranch. Join us on this exclusive experience limited to only 15 participants. Experience will include moderate hiking, in summer temperatures, up to one-half mile. Lunch will be provided in the Ladder Ranch lodge.
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$200 per person, includes transportation from Albuquerque, lunch, and snacks.
Contact August Wainwright for reservations 505-841-2861; august.wainwright@state.nm.us - Return to the top
- Thursday, August 14
- KNME EarthScope Science Cafe in Raton, NM
- 6:30 PM at the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library
- Museum Outreach Program
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EarthScope is a national geoscience research program to understand the North American continent; and instruments are located throughout New Mexico. This science cafe will be held in Raton, NM, at the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library, 244 Cook Avenue. It is a great opportunity to learn about cutting-edge geological research. Watch a video segment about NM geology and participate in a discussion with Leo Sandoval, seismic engineer, contractor for the Albuquerque Seismological Lab, U.S. Geological Survey. How was our state formed (geologically)? How close are you to a fault? What is the Rio Grande rift? Bring your questions and join us as we reveal the secrets of the landscape of New Mexico.
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Admission is free. Call: 575-445-9711 or visit the Arthur Johnson Memorial Library website for more information.
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- Saturday, August 16
- EarthScope—Taking the Earth's Pulse
- 10:00 AM in the Sandia Room
- A KNME Science Cafe
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EarthScope is an amazing national, decade-long, geoscience research program to understand the North American continent; and instruments are located throughout New Mexico. This science cafe is a great opportunity to learn about cutting-edge geological research. Watch a segment from KNME and participate in a discussion with NM Tech geophyscist Dr. Rick Aster. How was our state formed (geologically)? How close are you to a fault? What is the Rio Grande rift? Bring your questions and join us as we reveal the secret landscape of New Mexico.
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Admission is free, but a reservation is required. Contact Chris Sanchez at 505-841-2872 or chris.sanchez@state.nm.us to reserve your seat. Seats are limited.
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- Tuesday, August 19
- KNME EarthScope Science Cafe in Clovis, NM
- 6:30 PM at the Clovis Carver Library
- Museum Outreach Program
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EarthScope is a national geoscience research program to understand the North American continent; and instruments are located throughout New Mexico. This science cafe will be held in Clovis, NM at the Clovis Carver Library at 701 North Main St. It is a great opportunity to learn about cutting-edge geological research. Watch a video segment about NM geology, enjoy refreshments, and participate in a discussion with Leo Sandoval, seismic engineer, contractor for the Albuquerque Seismological Lab, U.S. Geological Survey. How was our state formed (geologically)? How close are you to a fault? What is the Rio Grande rift? Bring your questions and join us as we reveal the secrets of the landscape of New Mexico.
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Admission is free. Call: 575-769-7840 or visit the Clovis Carver Library website for more information.
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- Friday, August 22
- Public Tour of Bioscience Collections
- 11:00 AM–12:00 PM. Tour begins at the Information Desk
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Bioscience Collections Manager will conduct a public tour of the Museum's biological collections, which include plants, insects, mammals, mollusks, and birds. Free with Museum admission. Learn the importance of museum collections, how the are used, and how they are preserved and maintained.
Tours are limited to 12 persons. No strollers or children under the age of 7. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
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Free with paid admission. Please check in at the Information Desk for more information or to reserve a spot on this tour.
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September 2008
- Tuesday, September 2
- Use it, Lose it, or Save it: the Science of Renewable Energy Storage
- 7:00 PM, Dynatheater
- Lecture by Albert Migliori
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Today, we can usefully consume all of the little solar, wind, and other renewable energy we produce. But for total energy production to shift significantly toward inherently unpredictable renewables, energy must be stored when available and recovered when needed else precious renewable energy sources will stand idle. This lecture will present an overview of the science of energy storage and new nanotechnology approaches to it. The science will take time to mature, but with legislative and economic shelters to nurture it, effective distributed electrical energy storage solutions can be found before the need is urgent.
Albert Migliori works for the Seaborg Institute and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Sponsored by the Fellows of Los Alamos National Laboratory.
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Free to the public.
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- Wednesday, September 3
- KNME EarthScope Science Cafe in Aztec, NM
- 6:30 PM at the Aztec Public Library
- Museum Outreach Program
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EarthScope is a national geoscience research program to understand the North American continent; and instruments are located throughout New Mexico. This science cafe will be held in Aztec, NM, at the Aztec Public Library, 319 South Ash. It is a great opportunity to learn about cutting-edge geological research. Watch a video segment about NM geology, enjoy refreshments, and participate in a discussion with EarthScope scientists Dr. Karl Karlstrom, Structural Geologist, and Dr. Laura Crossey, Geochemist. How was our state formed (geologically)? How close are you to a fault? What is the Rio Grande rift? Bring your questions and join us as we reveal the secrets of the landscape of New Mexico.
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Admission is free. Call: 505-334-7658 or visit the Aztec Public Library website for more information.
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- Friday, September 5
- Public Tour of the Geoscience Collections
- 3:00 PM–4:00 PM. Tour begins at the Information Desk.
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If you enjoy all the fossils on display in the Museum then wait till you see our Geoscience collection! The NMMNH&S is now offering behind the scenes tours of our Geoscience collection and prep lab facilities. See thousands of fossils that most visitors never get a chance to view. The tours are approximately 45 to 60 minutes in length, allow participants to see fossils actively being prepared for exhibits and research and provide them with a guided tour of our Geoscience collection and its 50,000+ specimens. Visitors will see the largest collection of fossils in New Mexico and learn about important fossils of all ages collected from across the state.
Tours are limited to 20 people. All children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult. No food or drinks are allowed on the tour.
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Free with paid admission. Please check in at the Information Desk for more information or to reserve a spot on this tour.
- First Friday Fractals
- 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:00 PM in the Planetarium
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The Fractal Foundation and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science invite you to a live fractal show in the Planetarium. Suitable for all ages, the show features both the science and the art of fractals, and includes dramatic animated footage of ultradeep fractal zooms, together with original, locally-produced music.
- $8 adults, $7 seniors, $5 ages 3-12, which includes a $1 service charge. Tickets available online.
- Return to the top
- Saturday, September 6
- First Saturday at the SMNHC
- 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center
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The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center is open and free to the public the first Saturday of every month from March to September. From 9 AM to 3 PM, you can explore the bird/wildlife observation deck, geocaching, self-guided hikes, nature exhibits, and an orienteering course. Education sessions on specific themes are from 10 to 11 AM
This Saturday's theme: Guided Hikes—Hike with an SMNHC instructor and learn about the diverse ecology of the Sandia Mountains. Please call ahead to reserve a spot; space is limited.
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Free to the public
For more information or directions please contact the SMNHC staff at 281-5259 or email chris.modelski@state.nm.us, or check the SMNHC website. - Return to the top
- The Alps opens in the DynaTheater
- Showtimes at 10:00 AM, Noon, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 5:00 PM
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Saturday, September 6th, the DynaTheater will begin showing The Alps daily at 10:00 AM, Noon, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 5:00 PM. Dinosaurs Alive will show at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
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Prices for each show are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for children 3-12. Ticket sales stop 10 minutes before showtime.
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- Monday, September 8
- Museum Closed
- The Museum is closed on non-holiday Mondays in September.
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- Monday, September 15
- Museum Closed
- The Museum is closed on non-holiday Mondays in September.
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- Wednesday, September 17
- Public Tour of Bioscience Collections
- 11:00 AM–12:00 PM. Tour begins at the Information Desk
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Bioscience Collections Manager will conduct a public tour of the Museum's biological collections, which include plants, insects, mammals, mollusks, and birds. Free with Museum admission. Learn the importance of museum collections, how the are used, and how they are preserved and maintained.
Tours are limited to 12 persons. No strollers or children under the age of 7. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
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Free with paid admission. Please check in at the Information Desk for more information or to reserve a spot on this tour.
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- Monday, September 22
- Museum Closed
- The Museum is closed on non-holiday Mondays in September.
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- Tuesday, September 23
- KNME EarthScope Science Cafe in Deming, NM
- 6:30 PM at the Marshall Memorial Library
- Museum Outreach Program
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EarthScope is a national geoscience research program to understand the North American continent; and instruments are located throughout New Mexico. This science cafe will be held in Deming, NM at the Marshall Memorial Library at 110 South Diamond St. It is a great opportunity to learn about cutting-edge geological research. Watch a video segment about NM geology, enjoy refreshments, and participate in a discussion with an EarthScope seismologist. How was our state formed (geologically)? How close are you to a fault? What is the Rio Grande rift? Bring your questions and join us as we reveal the secrets of the landscape of New Mexico.
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Admission is free. Call: 575-546-9202 or visit the Marshall Memorial Library website for more information.
- Return to the top
- Monday, September 29
- Museum Closed
- The Museum is closed on non-holiday Mondays in September.
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October 2008
- Friday, October 3
- Public Tour of the Geoscience Collections
- 3:00 PM–4:00 PM. Tour begins at the Information Desk.
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If you enjoy all the fossils on display in the Museum then wait till you see our Geoscience collection! The NMMNH&S is now offering behind the scenes tours of our Geoscience collection and prep lab facilities. See thousands of fossils that most visitors never get a chance to view. The tours are approximately 45 to 60 minutes in length, allow participants to see fossils actively being prepared for exhibits and research and provide them with a guided tour of our Geoscience collection and its 50,000+ specimens. Visitors will see the largest collection of fossils in New Mexico and learn about important fossils of all ages collected from across the state.
Tours are limited to 20 people. All children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult. No food or drinks are allowed on the tour.
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Free with paid admission. Please check in at the Information Desk for more information or to reserve a spot on this tour.
- First Friday Fractals
- 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:00 PM in the Planetarium
-
The Fractal Foundation and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science invite you to a live fractal show in the Planetarium. Suitable for all ages, the show features both the science and the art of fractals, and includes dramatic animated footage of ultradeep fractal zooms, together with original, locally-produced music.
- $8 adults, $7 seniors, $5 ages 3-12, which includes a $1 service charge. Tickets available online.
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- Saturday, October 4
- Dinosaur Day
- 1:00 PM in the Atrium
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Join us for an afternoon of fun and dig into a variety of dinosaur activities. Explore what separates dinosaurs from other prehistoric reptiles, practice excavation skills, create a pterosaur flyer, color dinosaur masks, compare dinosaur lengths, handle real fossils, and play dinosaur games. Questions? Call Jessica Sapunar-Jursich, Family Programs Coordinator at (505) 841-2822.
- Free with Museum Admission.
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- Wednesday, October 15
- Public Tour of Bioscience Collections
- 11:00 AM–12:00 PM. Tour begins at the Information Desk
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Bioscience Collections Manager will conduct a public tour of the Museum's biological collections, which include plants, insects, mammals, mollusks, and birds. Free with Museum admission. Learn the importance of museum collections, how the are used, and how they are preserved and maintained.
Tours are limited to 12 persons. No strollers or children under the age of 7. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
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Free with paid admission. Please check in at the Information Desk for more information or to reserve a spot on this tour.
- Return to the top
