Mysteries of Science: Memorial Day Weekend at the Science Mill

Description

This Memorial Day Weekend, put your detective hat on as you dive into the strange, the unexplained, and the seriously cool at the Science Mill’s Mysteries of Science event! From the mysterious red waters of Antarctica’s Blood Falls to the invisible pull of black holes, explore some of science’s most fascinating mysteries through hands-on activities, brain-bending challenges, and interactive fun. Exercise your creative and critical thinking at this weekend of curiosity for scientists of all ages, whether you’re 5 or 95. Are you ready to unlock the secrets of the universe…one mystery at a time? Included with regular museum admission. 

ACTIVITIES 

• Bleeding Glacier - Nature can be full of mysteries! Are you ready to become a detective? Become a polar explorer and uncover the mysteries of Antarctica's Blood Falls! Examine fascinating facts and observe samples under the microscope to reveal the secrets behind this icy, red-hued wonder. Record your observations in your detective notebook, then use your data to solve the mystery behind this famous "bleeding" glacier known as Blood Falls. STEM fields: glaciology, biology, chemistry 
• Fingerprint Detectives - We’ve got a mystery at the Science Mill, and we need YOU to crack the case! Someone has walked away with a banana from our Banana Piano! This sneaky thief left behind a couple of clues that just might help you solve the case: a banana peel and one fingerprint. All you have to do is study the different types of fingerprints to figure out which one matches the Banana Bandit! So put on your detective hat, grab your magnifying glass, and let’s solve this slippery mystery! STEM fields: forensics, chemistry 
• Journey Through Space & Numbers - Something strange is happening at the Science Mill. A black hole has mysteriously appeared, pulling everything into it. Can you fight its pull and find your way out? Meticulously measure your surroundings and collect mathematical clues hidden along your path to guide your escape. Only those who can crack the final cipher will uncover the truth and escape the gravitational pull of this mysterious black hole. STEM fields: math, astronomy 

SPECIAL GUEST on Monday, May 26: Meet Forensic Anthropologist Sophia R. Mavroudas, PhD 

Sophia is a biological anthropologist who specializes in bone biology, forensic anthropology, and humanitarian forensics. She is the Associate Director of the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State (FACTS) where she has worked since 2011. She received her BA and MA from NYU and her PhD from Texas State. Her research focuses on estimating age-at-death from skeletal remains and understanding how the microstructure of bone changes during life and after death. At FACTS she is responsible for the Willed Body Donation Program, Workshops, Outreach, and getting our students certified to serve on our Forensic Anthropology Team. As a leader of the team she brings students to conduct skeletal recoveries from surface scattered remains and clandestine burials for local, state, and federal agencies. She also works on humanitarian forensic work internationally in Greece with the University of Crete. She will be at the Mysteries of Science event on May 26 (Mon).