Top 5 / September 1-6

September? Well, hello!

This time of year, many people seem to be crying "pumpkin spice lattes, jeans, boots, & scarves (and I love all those things). But my mind also tends to drift to "no more flip flops, the jacket battles are coming, we'll be stuck in the house, help!" :) So we will squeeze in all the outdoor fun we can while we still have these warm days.

 

Here is my Top 5 list for the week - most of these family-friendly venues are open every day which make it flexible for scheduling day, evening or weekend visits!

Park of the Week: North Park's Black & Yellow Playground. Located next to the North Park Community Pool, it has 3 playgrounds, with the Black & Yellow one being the largest one.  It has new updated equipment which includes an assortment of swings, slides, ladders and tunnels that are also suited for children with disabilities. Located at S. Ridge Drive / Hemlock Dr., McCandless Township, PA 15101.

 

Library Fun: For the month of September, the West End & East Liberty Carnegie Libraries are starting (free) Family Playshops. It combines play, early childhood education, parent support, and innovative library services in an exciting program for children 6 months - 4 years old. Space is limited and you must register ahead of time. More info on dates & times here.

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Playdate: Join the Pgh Momtourage at E2 Toys to Try this Thursday!  There is an indoor & outdoor playspace and lots of fun for kids of all ages! Bring your lunch and we'll eat at the outdoor picnic area.  More details and RSVP here. 

 

Beat the Heat: The Carnegie Science Center has a new fantastic indoor exhibit called BLUE! and it is one of my favorites! It's an immersive, hands-on exhibit featuring molded foam blocks of all shapes and sizes. It encourages lots of imagination in kids and kept my kiddos occupied for a long time. Now is also the perfect time to hit the museums between kids going back to school and not as many field trips at the beginning of school. :)

Family Fun: If you've never been to Living Treasures Wild Animal Park, this is a great time of year to go! There are 2 locations - Moraine & Laurel Highlands. LT is an amazing interactive zoo where you can get closer to animals than you can at most other zoos.You can purchase food on-site to feed to the animals where it is allowed.  Feed the giraffes from the palm of your hand, ride a pony or camel, hold a baby kangaroo, and reach out and touch wildlife! My only downer about these parks is that the paths are gravel, so they aren't great with strollers that don't have the jogging stroller-type wheels. But definitely worth the trip!

 Enjoy fun in Pittsburgh this week!

New exhibit - BIKES: Science on Two Wheels

Carnegie Science Center is teaming up with The Bicycle Museum of America, Bicycle Heaven, and others to offer a diverse collection of historic, rare, peculiar, and all-around amazing bikes! Visitors will enjoy science demonstrations and hands-on exhibits that explore energy, forces and motion, engineering, and material science:

• Explore the evolution of the modern bicycle
• Check out uniquely customized bikes
• Learn about the latest technologies for sporting bikes
• See bikes you know from popular culture

On Saturdays through September, they'll spotlight a special bike-related outdoor activity along the riverfront trail. Activities are free with general admission.

{The Science Center will close at 4 pm on Saturday, July 6.}

 

And go here to check out information on their July 4th Fireworks Blowout!

Discover the science behind fireworks and beat the heat with four floors of hands-on exhibits, Highmark SportsWorks^®, an Omnimax movie, and a laser show! One special price gets you into our July 4th Fireworks Blowout from 6-11 pm, plus popcorn and soda for you to enjoy during the fireworks display. Additional food items available for purchase.

Butterfly Weekend, June 1-2!

Carnegie Science Center and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are teaming up to host Butterfly Weekend on Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2. The two-day celebration will give visitors a chance to learn about the life cycle of butterflies and discover why these amazing insects have a remarkable ability to navigate, orient, and migrate.

Saturday, June 1 at Carnegie Science CenterThe Science Center will provide hands-on activities and science demos on Saturday from 10 am – 5 pm. Following are special features of Butterfly Weekend. All are free with general admission, except as noted.

• View life-size models of each stage of a butterfly's life cycle and see antennae and scales under a microscope. Visitors will learn about ultraviolet light and how butterflies see, as well as animal coloration.
• Create flip sticks that show the motion of a butterfly in flight in the Omnimax Lobby. Visitors will make butterfly snack bags in the Kitchen Theater at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm.
• Enjoy a story time reading of "Monarch! Come Play with Me" at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm.
• Experience the Science Center's live butterfly tent to learn about the Monarch's habitat. A few lucky visitors will have a chance to volunteer to feed the butterflies.
• Meet Scott Creary, entomologist and Butterfly Forest exhibit coordinator for Phipps.
• See Flight of the Butterflies, sponsored locally by Commonwealth Connections Academy, at the Rangos Omnimax Theater. Cost of tickets for members of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is $7 for adults and $5 for children; tickets for non-members cost $8 for adults and $6 for children. Click here for show times.

Sunday, June 2 at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical GardensPhipps will continue the celebration on Sunday, June 2, by hosting butterfly tours and discovery stations, from 11 am – 4 pm.

• Join Scott Creary, entomologist and Butterfly Forest exhibit coordinator, for a "Behind the Butterflies" tour at 11 am, noon, 1 pm, and 2 pm. He will take visitors through the Butterfly Forest and into the Production Greenhouses to observe the butterfly lab. Tours can be reserved for $2 on the day of the event on a first come, first served basis, with a maximum of 15-20 per tour.
• Experience the Discovery Stations in the Children's Discovery Garden to create a craft, pot a plant that attracts butterflies, and more.
• View life-size models of each stage of a butterfly's life cycle and see antennae and scales under a microscope with Carnegie Science Center staff.
• Enjoy butterfly-themed snacks at Café Phipps.

Perk for Visitors! Visitors who present a Carnegie Science Center Flight of the Butterflies ticket stub at Phipps will receive $2 off general admission on Sunday, June 2. Visitors who bring their general admission ticket stub from Phipps to the Science Center will receive a $2 discount on general admission, June 1-14.

RiverQuest riverboat - tickets under $10!

Rivers of Life

Weekend public sails ticketed through Carnegie Science Center. See the full schedule here.

One-hour sails feature hands-on activities that will give you a whole new view of our living rivers.

• Discover how people use rivers to live, work and play
• Search for plankton under a microscope
• Learn about the river valley ecosystem and its food web
• Fashion a fun river animal bobber

Kids 16 and under can earn a RiverWorks Discovery^® patch for completing all of the activities onboard during the sail, sponsored by the Port of Pittsburgh Commission.

Tickets are $9.95 for adults and $5.95 for children (2 & under are free!), available at the Science Center ticket counter. Trips proceed rain or shine. Tickets are not refundable unless the trip is cancelled by RiverQuest.

For more information, call 412.231.2712 or click here.

Win a week of summer camp!

Isaly’s Enter-to-win

Isaly’s is offering a chance for kids ages 4-14 to win a FREE week of fun at one of the Science Center's awe-inspiring summer camps! Two winners will be selected each week for four consecutive weeks. The contest begins April 8 and runs through May 3. Register now at isalys.com for your chance to win!

Sponsored by:

21+ Nights @ Carnegie Science Center

21+ Night

6 – 10 pm

All those who have ever wanted to enjoy Carnegie Science Center without having to elbow 8-year-olds out of the way for a chance to compete against the Air Hockeybot or peer at the baby seahorses, will not want to miss 21+ Night at Carnegie Science Center.
For just $10 if purchased by noon the day of the event ($15 if purchased later), adults ages 21 and up will have access to all four floors of exhibits, including SpacePlace, SeaScape, the Miniature Railroad and Village^®, roboworld^™, the Earthquake Café, the weather station, and scientific demos. There will be a cash bar, and snacks will be available for purchase.
Get a Gig!
We're seeking musicians of all genres for upcoming 21+Night events. For booking inquiries, contact weberz@carnegiesciencecenter.org.

Mark Your Calendars!

You won't want to miss these upcoming events!

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21+ Sci-Fi

BUY TICKETS

April 12, 2013
Explore science fiction turned fact!

• See a real 1981 DeLorean, an iconic car-turned-time machine in the Back to the Future movies.
• Join Garrison Carida^® of the 501st Legion, “The World’s Definitive Imperial Star Wars Costuming Organization,” for a galactic photo op! Strike a pose with a Stormtrooper!
• Explore iconic robots from Sci-Fi movies, including R2-D2, in our Robot Hall of Fame.
• Listen to local indie rock band, “Madeline and the Metropolis,” and more!

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21+ Wine & Cheese

BUY TICKETS

May 24, 2013
Learn the tricks to wine and cheese pairing!

• Find out about rennet, the essential enzyme used in cheese making.
• Learn how to make your own mozzarella cheese in our Kitchen Theater.
• Explore the wine making process and discover how wine makers can adjust wine acidity using chemistry, and more!

Summer Camps

Come in out of the cold and start making plans for summer! Summer Science Camps at Carnegie Science Center are an adventure for kids ages 4–14, full of so much fun that they may not realize how much science they are learning.

Kids can investigate the science behind art and music, experiment with roller coasters, discover the binary brilliance of robots, build a bridge, study bugs, and more! There's a wide variety of camps to choose from, and all campers enjoy:

• a full week of themed activities
• hundreds of hands-on exhibits (including Highmark SportsWorks^®)
• Omnimax film
• summer camp T-shirt
• interaction with science education professionals

They also offer pre- and post-camp child care for a nominal fee. Register Now! A complete listing of camps, along with more details, is available at CarnegieScienceCenter.org or call 412.237.1637.

Polar Bear Day

Head to Carnegie Science Center for Polar Bear Day! Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 Join the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and Polar Bears International from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. to celebrate one of nature's most impressive hunters and all things cold! Learn ways to reduce your carbon footprint, play the Polar Plunge game, and touch skulls, claws, and fur. Hang out with the zoo's polar bear mascot and check out a blubber glove to see how a layer of fat keeps the cold out! Experiment with ice cream in the Kitchen Theater! Explore states of matter in the Works Theater and see the effects of super-cold liquid nitrogen! These activities are included with general admission. Want to see polar bears on the BIG screen? Journey into the lives of a mother polar bear and her cubs in To The Arctic! Showing at 12:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 4:15 p.m. at the Rangos Omnimax Theater. Purchase tickets at the Admissions Counter. $7 adult / $5 child (Members), $8 adult / $6 child (non-Members)

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Parents Night Out

You work hard and take care of the kids, so let Carnegie Science Center keep them safe and entertained while you go out on the town, have a romantic dinner, or even just relax for the evening at home! Drop your child off for an evening of fun and exploration, then head off on your own! They will entertain your child with dinner, an Omnimax movie, a laser show, a science workshop, and more. Drop your kid (or kids) off as early as 5 pm, and pick them up at 10 (or 11 for just $10 more).

{For kids ages 6-12}

Upcoming dates:
Feb 9
March 9
April 13
May 11

To register, call 412.237.1637.

You can also register here.

Cost: $35 members, $40 non-members

Munchkin Mondays

Munchkin Mondays is back, beginning January 28th at Carnegie Science Center!

Bring your smallest scientists to the Science Center for Munchkin Mondays, full of themed activities just for early learners ages 2-6! Your preschoolers will get up close to exciting science concepts, while having tons of fun with hands-on activities and socializing with other little learners.

Free with Science Center admission; no registration required.

Activities include: Story time or sing-alongs, make-and-takes, scavenger hunts, and planetarium and live demo shows just for preschoolers. Great for families and daycare groups!

Add an Omnimax movie!

Take your little learners to meet baby orangutans and elephants with Born To Be Wild in the Rangos Omnimax Theater-the biggest screen in Pittsburgh! General admission does not include Omnimax films. Click for prices and schedules. Click here to watch the trailer.

Hubble @ the Imax

Experience the gripping story of the Hubble Space Telescope—a testament of hope, crushing disappointment, dazzling ingenuity, bravery, and triumph— as you journey through distant galaxies to explore the grandeur and mysteries of our celestial surroundings, and accompany space-walking astronauts as they attempt some of the most difficult and important tasks in NASA's history. Narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, this film will offer an inspiring and unique look into Hubble's legacy and highlight its profound impact on the way we view the Universe.

Want to become part of Mission Control? Get tons of Hubble bonus materials, including games, webisodes, and resources. www.imax.com/hubble

Cost: $8 adult | $7 member | $6 child

Now playing at Carnegie Science Center. Check here for show times.

Breakfast Express @ Carnegie Science Center

Saturdays, December 8, 15 and 22

9am-1pm.

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Climb on board for a piping-hot breakfast, The Polar Express: An IMAX Experience, loads of family fun, time in the Miniature Railroad & Village^®, and a chance to meet a special guest.

It's a holiday tradition!

$25 member / $30 non-member (adult)
$20 member / $25 non-member (child or senior)
$10 (all children 1–2 years)

 

Register by calling 412.237.3400, then press 7.

Preschool fun @ Carnegie Science Center

Many young kids have vivid imaginations. They want to be superheroes, have special powers, and rule the world! But, do they know the keys of success and the importance of lifelong learning? Childhood development research has revealed that preschool-aged children are in their prime for forming habits, learning basic skills, and gaining knowledge about the world around them. That's why it's especially important to give early learners ample opportunities to inspire their curiosity, cultivate a love for learning, and teach them basic science concepts. Preschool classes and workshops at the Carnegie Science Center are specifically designed around suitable themes for little scientists. They'll dig into important science topics, enhance their social skills, and have tons of fun! Many of their exhibits, planetarium shows, and Omnimax movies are great for early learners. In addition, special offerings for early learners include: Preschool Semesters Kids attend a 2-hour class, once a week, for five weeks. Discover more! Preschool Adventures for Parents and Kids Hour-long classes Choose one or as many as you like! Discover more! Munchkin Mondays Starts Sept. 10, 2012 Munchkin Mondays are full of themed activities just for early learners ages 2-6. Discover more!

Polar Bears @ Carnegie Science Center

To The Arctic                Oct 05, 2012  - 7pm - 9pm An extraordinary journey to the top of the world, "To The Arctic" tells the  ultimate tale of survival. Narrated by Oscar® winner Meryl Streep, the film takes audiences on a never-before-experienced journey into the lives of a mother polar bear and her twin seven-month-old cubs as they navigate the changing Arctic wilderness they call home.

Be one of the first to see To The Arctic at the Rangos Omnimax Theater and come for an interactive presentation with Florian Schulz, the author and photographer of the companion book to the film.

Born in Germany, Schulz is a professional wildlife photographer with a strong conservation vision. In a constant search of breathtaking images, Florian hopes to inspire individuals to take action to protect endangered ecosystems and wilderness areas.

Experience a view of the Arctic through his lens!

Plus, enjoy hot beverages and cookies, compliments of Carnegie Science Center.

Cost is $10 per person.

 

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Polar Play Day

 

Oct 6, 2012

10am-4pm

{Free with Admission}

Join the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium and play the Polar Plunge game! Touch real skulls, claws, and fur. Plus, meet a zoo keeper, and hang out with the polar bear mascot.

Activities are included with General Admission. Tickets to see the Omnimax film, To The Arctic can be purchased at the Admissions Counter.

Holiday Camps at Carnegie Science Center

Holiday Camps

Nov. 23 and 26

Full Day: 9 am – 3 pm
Half Day: 9 am – noon

Just for kids ages 4–10, Holiday Camps are a great way to get kids to use their brains. Your kids will have so much fun they won't even realize all of the exciting science they're learning, even when school is out! They'll experience all the Science Center has to offer in one fun-filled day including an Omnimax movie, a planetarium show, a science workshop as well as time to explore the exhibits. Call 412.237.1637 to register, or visit our website for more info.

 

Full Day (ages 6-10)
Cost: $36 members, $40 non-members

Half Day (ages 4-5)
Cost: $20 members, $23 non-members

 

Register online here.

A day at the Carnegie Science Center

Ever wonder how many events the Carnegie Science Center can pack into one day?

 

Just check out today's calendar:

 

10:00 am USS Requin USS Requin Submarine 11:00 am The Sky Above Mister Rogers Neighborhood Buhl Digital Planetarium   Taste the Rainbow Kitchen Theater 11:15 am Born to be Wild Rangos Omnimax Theater 12:00 pm One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure Buhl Digital Planetarium   Fruit Flambe Kitchen Theater   Illumination Sensation Kitchen Theater 12:15 pm Tornado Alley Rangos Omnimax Theater 1:00 pm Stars Over Pittsburgh Buhl Digital Planetarium   Science in a Scoop Kitchen Theater   Freeze! Works Theater 1:15 pm Born to be Wild Rangos Omnimax Theater 2:00 pm Infinity Express Buhl Digital Planetarium   High Voltage Works Theater 2:15 pm Tornado Alley Rangos Omnimax Theater 3:00 pm Classic Rock Laser Show Buhl Digital Planetarium   Fruit Flambe Kitchen Theater 3:15 pm Born to be Wild Rangos Omnimax Theater 4:00 pm Two Small Pieces of Glass Buhl Digital Planetarium 4:15 pm Tornado Alley Rangos Omnimax Theater Exhibit / Exhibition Miniature Railroad & Village®     Highmark SportsWorks®     Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked the World     Roboworld   Theater Show The Dark Knight Rises Rangos Omnimax Theater

There's something for everyone - go and check it out!

Adults only: Carnegie Science Center

I recently attended the inaugural 21+ night at CSC.

That's right - no kids allowed!

Have you ever considered the thought of being at the Science Center and actually reading about an exhibit instead of worrying if you have enough food & drink for the duration of your stay, or know where every bathroom is, and spending time somewhere other than the ball factory? :) 

Than this is the night for you!

Take in every detail of the Touring Exhibition of The National GUITAR Museum.

 Yes, we did spend time in the train room. It was rather....peaceful. :)

  What? You thought the 4th floor would be empty?

Nope, there were plenty of adults trying their hand at:

Constructing working electrical circuits

Playing the laser harp and the PVC pipe organ

Engineering dams, locks, channels and flood plains to control the flow of a river

 And don't forget about splashing at the water table!

Yep, we all need some kid's fun sometimes.

 Check their calendar for more upcoming 21+ nights!

I attended with our university student from China who is staying with us for the month of August. She gave it a thumb's up! We especially enjoyed a short show at the Buhl Digital Planetarium!

Free Guitar Lessons - Sundays in August

As part of Carnegie Science Center's Guitar Exhibit, Empire Music will offer small-group, 45-minute sessions on the Sonic Acoustic Stage.

{Free with General Admission.}

Try out a guitar or just listen in on some informal instruction. At the end of the lesson time, each person may have the chance to play with the instructor and a drummer! Call to reserve your spot: 412.237.3400, then  press 7.

Check out all the special events as part of the Guitar Exhibit here.

As a former elementary music teacher and current piano teacher, I love seeing kids learning about music and getting instruments into their hands!

SALE on membership for Carnegie Museums

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is currently holding a sale for one year memberships!  One price gets you & your family access to four great museums all year long! $15 off a family membership, $25 off a premium membership when you join by Sept. 15th. 

Go here to purchase your discounted membership - $15 off a Family Membership, $25 off a Premium Membership. 

{Discount available until September 15, 2012 and NEW membership purchases only.}

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The 4 museums include.............

Carnegie Museum of Art

Carnegie Museum of Natural History 

Carnegie Science Center

The Andy Warhol Museum

 You can also use your membership for other science centers and museums across the country for FREE!! More details here. What a great deal! 

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The Carnegie Science Center has many amazing exhibits for kids from the 

Miniature Railroad & Village  

Highmark Sports Works  

Exploration Station

 Roboworld 

+ much, much more!

Get in on the fun & the discount!

(just in time for the winter months that will be here before we're ready.)

Guitar Exhibit - Carnegie Science Center

GUITAR:

THE INSTRUMENT THAT ROCKED THE WORLD

CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER – June 16 – Sept. 30, 2012

"GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World" is an exciting and engaging experience that gives visitors the chance to interact with the guitar not only from the perspective of its history, evolution, and design, but through the music it has created and the technology that continues to enhance it.

The guitar is the single most enduring icon in American history. This fully immersive exhibition explores all facets of the world’s most popular instrument, from its history as an instrument of popular culture over the past 400 years to the science of creating sound with wood and steel. Visitors will experience the science, sound, history, and cultural impact of the guitar in an exhibition that contains more than 60 instruments—ranging from the rare and antique to the wildly popular and innovative—along with hands-on interactives, models, touchscreens, performance video, audio, and stunning photographs.

Head to the (nice, cool) Carnegie Science Center to see this great exhibit while it's here!

Special upcoming events:

How much is your guitar worth?
Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22 , noon – 4 pm
Carl Grefenstette, founder of Pittsburgh Guitars based in the South Side, will provide free guitar appraisals. Sponsored by 3WS.
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Free Lessons

Aug. 5, 12, 19, and 26, 11 am - 4 pm Want to try your hand at the guitar? Empire Music will offer small-group sessions on the Sonic Acoustic Stage. Try out a guitar or just listen in on some informal instruction. At the end of the lesson time, each person may have the chance to play with the instructor and a drummer!

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Munchkin Matinees

Acoustic performances for early learners (ages 6 and under) will be held on select Mondays from June 18 – Sept. 24. (Free with admission.)
July 2 at 11 am: Bill PurseJuly 9 at 11 am: Music Together with Karen Lee Sloneker
Sep 3 at 11 am and 1 pm: Music Together with Karen Lee Sloneker

Check the website for more upcoming dates and details.