Now Blooming: Passionvine

These gorgeous purple flowers are hard to miss in the Richard T. Bowers Historic Tree Grove at MOSI. Passionvine is growing all over the place including on a large upright trellis near the center of the gardens.

Passionvines (Passiflora spp) are vining plants and several species are native to Florida. Not here just for their gorgeous flowers, these vines are also hosts to the Variegated Fritillary, Gulf Fritillary, Zebra Longwing and Julia Longwing butterflies. If you plant these vines in your home garden expect to see some caterpillars.

For more on butterflies and the plants in our gardens check out the BioWorks Butterfly Garden blog entitled Tales from the Butterfly Garden.

Something Awesome: Bike on a Wire

What a brave young lady! MOSI volunteer Sarah is riding a bicycle over 30 feet above the ground with only a one inch thick steel cable beneath her and she is smiling while she pedals!

So why does Sarah feel so comfortable on this bicycle so far above the ground? Well the net and the five point harness really help but there is no way for the bike to tip over or fall off that wire! Hanging beneath the bicycle is a 350 pound counter weight which keeps the bike right side up.

Even with the weight of Sarah combined with the bicycle, the counterweight weighs much more and will always be pulling the bike back into the upright position even if Sarah were to get very brave and rock the bike back and forth!

So why is the net there? Two reasons: It makes people feel better and shoes can still fall off or get dropped and those don't feel great when they land on someone standing on the main floor!

MOSI's High Wire Bike is the longest High Wire Bike ride in a US museum with a 98 foot long cable and is truly science in motion!

August Volunteer of the Month

The BioWorks Butterfly Garden's very own Naomi May is the MOSI Volunteer of the Month for August 2009!

Since April of 2007 Naomi May has provided an ASTOUNDING 1459 hours of volunteer service at MOSI. She has a special touch when taking care of our caterpillars and gardens alike and Naomi is great helping to get other volunteers oriented and trained in the gardens.

Naomi volunteers faithfully in the gardens every Monday and Friday and spends great swaths of the rest of her week volunteering at her church in the bell choir and in their gardens.

Without volunteers like Naomi, and especially without Naomi herself, there is no way we could get everything done that is necessary to keep the butterfly garden running smoothly. Thanks Naomi and congratulations!

DISABLED ARTIST PAINTS FANTASY ART WITH BRUSH STROKES OF INSPIRATION AT MOSI’s

Disability Awareness Expo
Saturday, July 25 – 10 a.m.-2 p.m.



Tampa, FL (July 21, 2009) – Lora Duguay, a polio survivor whose oil paintings have been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the United States, will showcase her talent at ANIMATION featuring Cartoon Network—MOSI’s newest exhibition that explores how art and technology come together to create cartoon animation—during the Disability Awareness Expo.



On Saturday, July 25, MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry) and the Hillsborough County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities will host the annual community-wide Disability Awareness Expo in commemoration of the 19th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, historic civil rights legislation for persons with disabilities. The Expo, “Building Minds, Building Bodies, Building Communities,” honors disability advocates and features exhibits on technology, employment, sports, housing, and the arts as well as new ideas and ways to make life more inclusive and enjoyable for those who may have a disability.



Lora Duguay will paint one of her acclaimed artworks, which focus on the cultural beauty of Native Americans, Rom Gypsies, fantasy art and nature, at the ANIMATION exhibition. She began oil painting as a hobby which then emerged into a full-time career when she suffered from postpolio syndrome. Lora is currently a Board Member and Artist in Residency with VSA Arts of Florida, encouraging creativity and sharing artistic knowledge with students who have disabilities. For more information on Lora Duguay, visit http://loraduguay.snappages.com/.



Now through August 2, 2009, MOSI is offering one FREE child admission with the purchase a full-priced Adult or Senior MOSI General Admission ticket (must mention offer at box office). In ANIMATION’s stimulating and fun environment, visitors will explore the process of animation from concept to finished product — from storyboarding, character design, and drawing techniques to movement, timing, filming, and sound. Larger-than-life graphics of popular Cartoon Network characters provide a colorful backdrop to the exhibit, which also explores careers in animation with digital slide shows of real artists working in the Cartoon Network studio so visitors can learn about the skills and training needed for a career in animation.

CHILDREN GET FREE ADMISSION THROUGH AUGUST 2

Now through August 2, 2009, MOSI is offering one FREE child admission with the purchase a full-priced Adult or Senior MOSI General Admission ticket! Explore how art, math, science, and technology come together in the exciting world of animation. In Animation’s stimulating and fun environment, visitors will explore the process of animation from concept to finished product.

Offer valid only with the purchase of a full priced adult or senior general admission ticket. MOSI general admission includes ANIMATION featuring Cartoon Network, MOSI’s entire exhibit galleries and one standard IMAX® Dome Theatre film. Discounts may not be combined. Offer ends August 2, 2009.

DAUGHTER OF LEGENDARY MUSICIAN RAY CHARLES RECOGNIZES SENSORY GARDEN IN

Tampa, FL (June 30, 2009) – Sheila Raye Charles, the seventh child of legendary musician Ray Charles, left a special message on a Blog by Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) in response to a new sensory garden planted at the Ray Charles Live Oak in MOSI’s Richard T. Bowers Historic Tree Grove.

“Our father would be so pleased with your consideration and efforts. Thank you for all the good work. Ray Charles’ Children”
—Sheila Raye Charles, posted June 30, 2009, 10:51 a.m.

Thanks to a grant from Fiskars’ Project Orange Thumb, a sensory garden was planted near the Ray Charles Live Oak in honor of Charles’ legacy and to appeal to the use of non-sight senses in someone who is visually impaired. The garden is a collection of fragrant plants including flowers that are unique to touch.

White Fountain Grass (Pennisetum villosum) planted for its soft, feathery tops.
Fragrant Olive (Osmanthus fragrans) picked for the gorgeous sweet aroma of its blooms.
Sweet Almond Bush (Aloysia virgata) chosen for the sweet almond-like scent of its white flowers.
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) selected for the licorice scent when touched.
Chocolate Mint (Mentha piperita) planted for the minty chocolate smell when handled.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) chosen for its minty aroma.
Lambs Tails (Ptilotus exaltatus) selected for its feathered purple flower tops with a dried flower stiffness.
Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria) planted for its powdery foliage.
Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida) picked for its mounding foliage covered in interesting, soft red blooms tha feel like an odd yarn than a plant.
Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) chosen for the honey sweet scent of its white blossoms.

The Richard T. Bowers Historic Tree Grove provides museum guests with a stroll through history by focusing on the stories of 17 culturally significant trees that are associated with notable people and places across America . The Historic Tree Grove is FREE and open to the public during MOSI operating hours (admission required for entry into MOSI exhibits).

MOSI today is the result of 52 years of growth and maturity reflecting both on the institution and the surrounding community. With a total size of over 400,000 square feet, MOSI is the largest science center in the southeastern United States , and home to the only IMAX® Dome Theatre in the state of Florida . MOSI is a not-for-profit, community-based institution and educational resource that is dedicated to advancing public interest, knowledge, and understanding of science, industry, and technology.
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About MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry)
MOSI is a not-for-profit, community-based institution and educational resource dedicated to advancing public interest, knowledge, and understanding of science, industry, and technology. With a total size of over 400,000 square feet, MOSI is the largest science center in the southeastern United States , and home to the only IMAX® Dome Theatre in the state of Florida . Kids In Charge! The Children’s Science Center at MOSI is the largest children’s science center in the nation. Disasterville, featuring WeatherQuest, combines education and 10,000 square feet of interactive exhibits on the science behind natural disasters. MOSI’s newest permanent exhibition, The Amazing You, explores the intricate world of the beginning of life, childhood, and adolescent developmental life stages.

ANIMATION featuring Cartoon Network opens July 10th

ANIMATION featuring Cartoon Network, a new exhibit exploring the science behind the art of animation, will open July 10, 2009. Characters from Dexter’s Laboratory, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, Codename: Kids Next Door, and The Powerpuff Girls will provide a colorful backdrop to the exhibit, in addition to popular Hanna-Barbera characters such as Scooby-Doo and The Flintstones.

ANIMATION features six areas, including Animation Studio, where visitors can develop a storyboard, and create scenes using layered cels and moving backgrounds, and Science Laboratory, where visitors can use Dexter’s Laboratory to delve into the science and technology that make animation possible.

Fun Animation Facts:

Snow White, which premiered in 1937 was the first American animated feature film ever. It cost $1.4 million to produce.

Disney had only two animators working for him when he created Steamboat Willie in 1928

Production of Beauty and the Beast took three and a half years and required the talents of nearly 600 animators, artists, and technicians.