Special Events
PLEASE ALSO SEE BODY WORLDS 2 FOR OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS.
Come learn about health, wellness, and the innerworkings of the human body at The Franklin Institute's Wellness Weekends!
Every weekend, from now through February 21, 2010, come to The Franklin Institute for special Wellness-themed programming, to coincide with the special exhibition BODY WORLDS 2 & The Brain.
Activities Include:
Plastination Cart - Dr. Gunther von Hagens, creator of BODY WORLDS 2 & The Brain, invented the plastination process to help people understand their own anatomy. Join us at this hands-on cart to learn more about plastination and see polymer science in action.
Why We Get Sick Show - Mucus, fevers and sneezes, oh my! Appropriate for all ages, this live science show explores our body's immune system. Come find out just why we get sick.
Brain Bar - Learn about different areas of your brain and test some of its abilities through various activities. Real and model brains of different species can also be viewed.
Heart Bar - Examine various medical devices, models, and hearts from different species. Featuring plastinated dolphin and horse hearts!
Heart Dissection - Watch the dissection of a real sheep's heart and learn more about how your own heart works.
Eye Dissection - Learn how your own eyes work as you watch the dissection of a real cow's eye.
Wellness Weekend activities are included in Sci-Pass admission. BODY WORLDS 2 & The Brain exhibition requires an additional ticket.
Schedule subject to change. Be sure to check the program guide upon arrival for updates and changes.
Night Skies in the Observatory
2010 Night Skies in the Observatory Schedule
February 11 - Back to the Moon? On to Mars? or Beyond?
March 11 - Got Time? Got Time! (An exploration of daylight saving time and why we spring forward and fall back.)
April 8 - Exoplanets: Finding Earths Beyond Earth
May 13 - Space Tourism 2012
June 10 - The Astronomy of the Pyramids (In conjunction with our new exhibition Cleopatra: The Search for Last Queen of Egypt, opening June 5, 2010)
July 8 - Solar Eclipses: Seen One Lately?
August 12 - Perseid Meteor Shower Peak! - D. Pitts
Topics to be announced for the following events:
September 9, October 14, November 11, and December 9.
Schedule subject to change.
About Night Skies in the Observatory
Hosted by Chief Astronomer at The Franklin Institute, Derrick Pitts, the Joel N. Bloom Observatory is open late to the public and offers 5 different telescopes for you to view celestial objects in the sky, including stars, planets, nebulae, and if conditions are right, a galaxy or two. The evening includes a Fels Planetarium show and a lecture or presentation (appropriate for all ages) on an astronomical or space science topic. The Observatory is staffed with knowledgeable observers and free star maps are provided. Meet some BIG STARS on the second Thursday of each month at The Franklin Institute! The event is held from 6-9pm all months expect June & July when the event is held 7-10pm! Admission is $5.00. Members are free.
To learn more about the Joel N. Bloom Observatory click here.
Saturday, February 13 is Heart Health Day!
Learn What it Takes to Keep Your Heart Beating Strong!
Visit the Famous Giant Heart Exhibit
Free Health & Nutrition Screenings*
Live Shows and Demonstrations
Make and Take Activities for Kids, including the popular Make Your Own Stethoscope activity (12PM-2PM while supplies last) and a Make Your own Valentine station
Learn more about the American Heart Association.s Go Red for Women Initiative
Vote for Main Line Health's "Queen of Hearts."
Sponsored by:
*Screenings and activities included with Museum Admission.
PLUS: See BODY WORLDS 2 & The Brain - Limited Time Only!
Game-Changing Advances in Medicine:
Unlocking the Genetic Secrets of Autism and Congenital Blindness
February 24, 2010
7 PM
Franklin Theater
The Philadelphia region is home to some of the top medical research in the country, and two recent studies have captured the world's attention. Meet with cutting-edge researchers as they explain and answer questions for the public about their extraordinary investigations—and inform us of the far-reaching ramifications of their studies.
Dr. Katherine High of the Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics at CHOP and Dr. Jean Bennett, Kirby Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, present the exciting research behind the gene therapy work that has improved or restored vision to the congenitally blind—and may be the first step in medical science's goal of using gene therapy to cure disease.
Autism gene research was named one of TIME's Top Ten Medical Breakthroughs of 2009—research led by Dr. Hakon Hakonarson, director of the Center for Applied Genomics at CHOP and associate professor of Pediatrics at Penn School of Medicine, and Dr. Gerard Schellenberg, professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine explores the meaning of his team's work in understanding the complex genetic structure of autism spectrum disorders—and their recent discoveries around the genetic risk of autism.
Event is free with registration. Please call 215.448.1254.
Larry Kane's Ticket to Ride
The Franklin Institute is pleased to present "Larry Kane's Ticket to Ride," every weekend in March. This special multimedia theater event revisits the cultural revolution that accompanied the arrival of the Beatles in America. Reserve your tickets now, as seating will be limited.
Calling All Astronomers!
Rittenhouse Astronomical Society Monthly Meetings!
Bring all of your out-of-this-world questions!
Join The Rittenhouse Astronomical Society on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30PM in the Fels Planetarium. The society offers all persons an opportunity to participate in the activities of an astronomical group at the layman's level. They aim to spread knowledge, awareness, and enjoyment of astronomy and astronomical issues. It is a popular science club that keeps its members up-to-date on the latest developments. No experience is necessary to attend the FREE meetings. Come with your astronomy questions! www.rittenhouseastronomicalsociety.org