'Sunday Scientist' program to explore volcanoes and hotspots Jan. 16

Released on 01/14/2011, at 2:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011

WHERE: NU State Museum, Morrill Hall, south of 14th and Vine Streets [map]

Lincoln, Neb., January 14th, 2011 —
"Sunday with a Scientist"logo.
UNL geologist David Loope pounding on concretions in a Utah canyon.
UNL geologist David Loope pounding on concretions in a Utah canyon.
State Museum educator Cindy Loope investigates an iron-rich spring at the
State Museum educator Cindy Loope investigates an iron-rich spring at the "Chocolate Pots" along the Gibbon River in Yellowstone National Park.

The University of Nebraska State Museum will present a Sunday with a Scientist program for children and families about volcanoes and hotspots 1:30-4:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Morrill Hall.

Museum visitors will learn about plate tectonics, new discoveries in geology and the supervolcano at Yellowstone National Park. Morrill Hall is south of 14th and Vine Streets on the UNL City Campus [map]. Museum Sunday hours are 1:30-4:30 p.m.

The program, "Volcanoes and Hotspots," will be led by Cindy Loope, State Museum educator; and David Loope, professor of geology in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. The scientists will share information about the EarthScope program and the latest discoveries resulting from recent data collected from hundreds of seismic stations across the American West. By piecing together the Earth's tectonic plates and exploring Yellowstone's geologic record, visitors will determine the direction the North American plate is moving. They will investigate the boundaries where the plates meet, monitor volcanoes and earthquakes in real time and discover the ties between Yellowstone's volcanic past and the fossil record of Nebraska mammals.

Sunday with a Scientist is a series of presentations that highlight the work of State Museum scientists and those from other UNL departments and institutions, while educating children and families on a variety of topics related to science and natural history. Presenters will share scientific information in a fun and informal way through demonstrations, activities, or by conducting their science on site. Sunday with a Scientist programs are 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Morrill Hall on the third Sunday of each month.

Upcoming Sunday with a Scientist Topics: Feb. 20 -- Parasitology; March 20 --Lasers and Photonics; April 17 -- Fruit; May 15 -- Extreme Weather; June 19 -- Tissue Mechanics; July 17 -- Fish; Aug. 21 -- Climate Change; Sept. 18 -- Plants; Oct. 16 -- Fossils; Nov. 20 -- Viruses; Dec. 18 -- Minerals.

For updates on the Sunday with a Scientist schedule through the year, visit the museum's website, www.museum.unl.edu.

Established in 1871, the University of Nebraska State Museum is celebrating its 140th anniversary with public events and educational programming throughout the year. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays, and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5 for adults (19 and over), $3 for children (5-18 years, 4 and under are free), and $10 for families (up to two adults and children). UNL staff, faculty and students are admitted free with valid NU ID. There is an additional charge for planetarium shows. Parking is free. For further information, telephone the museum at (402) 472-3779, visit its website, or contact Kathy French, education coordinator, at (402) 472-6647 or by e-mail.

WRITER: Dana Ludvik, Public Relations Coordinator, NU State Museum, (402) 472-3779