"Walking is controlled falling." That’s one of the epiphanies you'll glean when watching National Geographic's ROBOTS, released summer 2015 and now playing at Fernbank Museum of NaturalHistory. At first, I wondered why a natural history museum would be showing a movie about robots, but quickly reconciled that in my mind. Natural history is the study (particularly observational) of origins, evolution, and interrelationships. In this particular instance, it's an exploration of the progress and potential of robots...created by and for humans. I for one and ecstatic that this is being shared at Fernbank!
National Geographic's "ROBOTS" | Poster courtesy of National Geographic
Have I ever told you that I cried myself to sleep after witnessing the fate of Huey, Dewey and Louie, the robot stars of the sci-fi classic Silent Running? It was a film that my family watched one evening when I was only seven years old. It's true I was a sensitive child, but also I was already an established sci-fi enthusiast!
You can only imagine my excitement for the new IMAX film, ROBOTS, now playing at Fernbank Museum of Natural History!
Building my excitement leading up to seeing the movie, it's narrated by Robo Thespian whose voice is that of none other than Simon Pegg himself—star of Shawn of the Dead (LOVED that one), and even more so as the star, Scotty, in the last two Star Trek films!
You're going to meet robots from all over the world and the film highlights the featured aptitudes of each of those robot. You'll also be introduced to many humanoid robots, including:
"ASIMO": Honda's famed humanoid can jump and run up to 5 mph.
"HERB THE BUTLER": Thanks to this helper, we may never have to clear the table or do dishes again.
"ROBONAUT": NASA’s space handyman helps astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
ANDROIDS: The human face has over 40 muscles to express emotions like fear, anger, surprise, happiness — and these androids are programmed to simulate these human-like behaviors. One day, they may be built to think, act and react like us.
That's only a few of them! And watch the credits for a mention of Georgia Tech as a film advisor!
By the way, the freighter ships in Silent Running were later used in an episode of the original Battlestar Galacica, which was a childhood favorite series and featured the human-created robotic race of Cylons! A quick reminder...as a young child, I wanted nothing more than to be an archaeologist, long before I wanted to be an astronaut. I find it pretty awesome that as an adult I get to write about both fields from time to time.
If you're visiting over a weekend, I invite you to consider adding Martinis & IMAX to your Friday night itinerary. You have the opportunity to enjoy food, drinks, dancing with the dinos AND an IMAX film!
If you're a local, check out Martinis & IMAX and keep an eye on Fernbank Museum of Natural History's website for announcements of new films, events and exhibitions...there's a LOT of fun coming up! ROBOTS is running now through Thursday, October 29.
Humpback Whales | Image: MacGillivray Freeman Films and Pacific Life
I think everyone will enjoy this film, for many reasons. To have a little fun, here are a few geeky connections that contributed to my personally enjoying it:
In Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (Remember, I'm a huge Star Trek fan!), the crew returns to 1986 (also the year the film was released) to save planet Earth by bringing a pair of Humpback Whales back to the 23rd Century when they're extinct. Whale song plays a role in the saving of Earth.
Having served in the U.S. Navy, it was fascinating to learn the Navy's role in the plight to save the Humpback Whale from extinction--which was a real threat. It had to do with whale song.
While my references are sci-fi related, this film is not at all fiction...it's a most sobering film, although beautiful and entertaining, about what we know and don't yet know about Humpback Whales...and how horribly close they came to total annihilation, by humans. There are still serious threats to Humpback Whales.
Watch the movie trailer below for a snippet of how magnificent and majestic these creatures are and what a great treat you're in store for, especially when you see it on an IMAX screen!
Fernbank Museum of Natural History | Dinosaur Plaza
Visitors to Fernbank are greeted at Dinosaur Plaza by a trio of hadrosaurs known as Lophorhothon atopus, which once lived in the region that is now Georgia. I share that with you so that you know that if you don't have time to explore the museum AND take in a movie, you still get a dinosaur experience. But do come back when you have more time to explore...it's a fantastic museum!
Now, to the film...
What you can't see...can fascinate! Mysteries of the Unseen World is a magnificent film that explores things that are too small—really, really small!—as well as things that move too fast or too slow for the naked eye to see. Did you know that what we see—with the naked eye—is a tiny fraction of of what's really going on in our world, and the universe? The film tells us about some of the light spectrum that we don't see, and so much more!
Fernbank Museum of Natural History is open, with IMAX films rolling, seven days a week. But, if you can't make it to Fernbank during the week, consider Martinis & IMAX on a Friday evening, 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (except for holiday weekends). It's a great evening of live music, dancing, food, cocktails and IMAX films! Enjoy the National Geographic MovieMysteries of the Unseen World at Fernbank Museum of Natural History through Thursday, July 16, 2015. Go have fun at Fernbank and see what you've never seen before!
Last Friday night I went to Martinis & IMAX at Fernbank Museum of Natural History and got a quadruple treat! Not only did we get to see Great White Shark on IMAX and later enjoyed live music and cocktails in the Great Hall with other dear friends, but I finally got to meet my favorite dinosaur, Giggy A. Dinosaur, who has his own Facebook page by the way, AND we ran into Rachel, too!
Giggy A. Dinosaur, with Rachel, Fernbank Museum of Natural History
That's Rachel with Giggy. Barry and I met Rachel at Georgia Aquarium when we did the Journey With Gentle Giants experience—we went swimming with Whale Sharks and Manta Ray! If I ever doubted that Barry doesn't forget a face, I never will again. When we first met Rachel she was a tour guide at the Aquarium, but is now in school studying marine biology. She, I think as much as me, totally enjoyed meeting Giggy! Some of you already know that before I wanted to be an astronaut (which I'm not, unfortunately) I wanted to be an archaeologist. Yes, I'm all over the map! But, suffice it to say that I've been a dinosaur enthusiast since I was a little kid. I've been following Giggy for quite some time...since June 2011, in fact. He's the smartest, most clever, and most fun dinosaur I know! What a great sense of humor...who knew dinosaurs were so funny?! The timing couldn't have been better! August is Dinosaur Month at Fernbank! There are lots of activities throughout the month, including a big Dinosaur Birthday Bash on Saturday, August 23, featuring lots of family fun! Do you know someone who would enjoy meeting Giggy?
I've seen quite a few IMAX films over the years and Great White Shark delivers right along with the rest of so many of the IMAX greats. I wasn't sure what to expect—presumably they'd talk about JAWS and the killer reputation of the Great White Shark...but it was something else. Compassion. Great White Shark noted the fact that this creature predates the dinosaurs—sorry, Giggy—and what an incredibly awesome creature it is. And quite surprisingly, it shares the fact that we very often swim in the same waters as they do...most of us just never knew it. As it turns out, many of the populations of the Great White Shark—a creature that can be found around the globe—have been decimated, almost to the point of eradication. The film shows some of the little that we know about them, a little about Great White Shark tourism—yes, there's such a thing! And in the middle of the film is my favorite footage that shows the grandeur and majesty of these creatures. I knew these things were big, but Wow! Shark Week started yesterday...are you watching? Well, there are a whole bunch of reasons to very soon pay a visit to Fernbank Museum of Natural History:
...and everything else there is to do at Fernbank!
Have a great visit!
P.S. I mentioned swimming with the Whale Sharks, which included swimming with other sharks, too...check out the video here: Travis and Barry's Journey With Gentle Giants experience.
Giganotosaurus, Fernbank Museum of Natural History
You thought Night at the Museum was an experience? With the largest meat-eating dinosaur to ever exist in attendance—Gigantosaurus—Fright Night promises to be an experience you won't soon forget. Not to mention there are cocktails, music, food, and the other highly entertaining guests...who knows what'll happen! And of course there are always great IMAX films playing! I can hardly wait to see Hidden Universe.
Martinis & IMAX Fright Night, Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Of course Fernbank wouldn't forget the kiddies...that'd never happen! The kiddies have their own event the very next morning, Saturday, October 26...Fernbank BOO-seum Trick-or-Treat, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. They'll enjoy games and treats and a visit from one of my favorite Atlanta celebrities—Giggy A. Dinosaur!
Fernbank BOO-seum Trick-or-Treat, Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Whatever you do this spooky season—and I do recommend you include Fernbank—have a fun and safe Halloween!
I'm thrilled to announce the first "official"
wanderlust ATLANTA random drawing giveaway!
Courtesy of Fernbank Museum of Natural History, I have
THREE PAIRS OF TICKETS to the Museum’s annual adult Halloween party,
"Martinis & IMAX Fright Night" being held on Friday, October 25,
2013!
How do you win? It's easy!
To enter, "Like" wanderlust Atlanta on Facebookduring one of
the three giveaway time periods:
Thursday,
October 10, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. ET through Friday, October 11, 2013 at 1:00 p.m.
ET
Friday,
October 11, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. ET through Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 1:00
p.m. ET
Saturday,
October 12, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. ET through Sunday, October 13, 2013 at 1:00 p.m.
If you're already a fan, simply message wanderlust ATLANTA on Facebook during the giveaway period(s) to be entered (and thank you for already being a
fan!).
A random drawing will be conducted at the conclusion of each
entry period and the winner announced on the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook page!
You may win only one pair of tickets (allowing others to
share in the wanderlusting fun!).
The prize is for general admission to the "Martinis& IMAX Fright Night" event and does not include a film (which can be
purchased separately). It DOES include live music by Bogey and the Viceroy, a
festive drink menu, and a super-fun costume contest!
Good luck!
Note: This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or
administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
What in the world??? If you've not yet been to see Extreme Mammals at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, you only have until August 18....and we all know what happens if you wait too long—you totally miss out!
"Extreme Mammals" at Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Do I need to say anything beyond this photo? Didn't think so. Go check out the Fernbank Museum of Natural History...during Martinis & IMAX if you're looking for something to do on a Friday evening!
Now then, I can't say that I've seen any of these, but each is very appealing. With cooler weather ahead, I'm hopeful to see these while they're at Fernbank. And to revisit all the dinosaurs too.
My current Facebook Cover Photo is this Pegasus, which I photographed during the "Mythic Creatures" exhibition at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History—one of our most popular museums, and for good reason—it's awesome!
Pegasus from "Mythic Creatures"
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Now then, just to clarify, we have two Fernbank museums. There's this one, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History—a natural history museum, and the Fernbank Science Center, which is part of the Dekalb County Public Schools system, but open to the public—and they have a planetarium and an observatory, but I'll write about that again another time.
The "Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns, and Mermaids" exhibition was here early last year. If you got to see it, you know how it engaged the imagination. And it represents the stature of exhibits this museum provides its visitors.
The current exhibition is a bit more fun..."The Scoop on Poop: The Science of What Animals Leave Behind". While brave and daring, I've not yet seen it, but I'm fully confident that it's educational, entertaining, and rather fascinating—surely in unexpected ways.
I'm beyond excited about the next big exhibition, opening in October this year, "Genghis Khan" will feature "the largest collection of 13th Century Mongolian artifacts ever gathered in a single showing, many which have never been on display to the public."
There's LOTS more to see at Fernbank, a destination I highly recommend, especially if you have kids—they do a LOT for kids. It's also a great destination for grownups...there's the always fun Martinis & IMAX on Friday nights.
Enjoy the pre-sized Facebook Cover Photo above and then head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for more information about Atlanta happenings. Remember to "Like" the Page while you're there and feel free to "Share" any of the posts with your friends!
I arrived on opening day in the afternoon. The parking lot was full, but there were a number of folks who had been there a while and were leaving, so was able to relatively easily get parking.
I noticed, even in the parking lot, the diverse nationalities who were interested in seeing Mythic Creatures, which translated inside as well. The visitors' cultural and national diversity was as well represented as the origins of the many mythical creatures, from all over the globe, in the exhibition…an encouraging sign.
Getting in and obtaining a ticket was as easy as usual…no wait, very nice. The ticket-taking volunteers provided a brochure with a listing of Opening Day Celebration events, which I didn't even know about, but enjoyed immensely.
The Events
Chinese Lion Dance
I walked into the Great Hall just in time for the start of a Chinese Lion Dance by the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu, believed to bring luck and fortune to all those who see it (I should have played the lottery that night!).
If you've not been to an Opening Day Celebration at Fernbank, and to encourage you to attend the next one, some of the events that day were a Kidsville News Guest Appearance by Truman, the green dragon mascot from Kidsville News.
There were also stations for (mythic-themed) temporary tattoos, a game and coloring corner, a Griffin hat craft station, B98.5 games and giveaway, and storytelling sponsored by Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament.
"living and prehistoric animals inspired dragons, unicorns, mermaids and more as you learn how cultures throughout time have created legends of mythic creatures to explain the natural world."
Fernbank has created an exhibit that tells the tales behind many mythical creatures from around the world that roam(ed) the earth, air, and water…creatures that have given hope, that have terrified, that have inspired dreams of what may be. This exhibit is an experience of imagining, learning, and contemplating.
Walking into the exhibit you see a placard, adorned with gargoyles, telling you what to expect, but it doesn't quite set you up for the wonders awaiting you inside.
Travis and the Dragon
Rounding the corner entering the exhibition, the first creature you meet is a "life-size" dragon. The winged-beast's head is close to the floor (an excellent photo opportunity), but is big enough that he/she could easily fit a grown human in its mouth, were it carnivorous like some of its dinosaur neighbors instead of the fire-breathing sort of creature its more commonly known as.
While there at the big dragon I met Cooper and his daughters who a friend and I had just seen at the bowling alley where we were practicing. He and his girls were participating in a daddy/daughter outing. The girls were really excited to have their photo made with the dragon. Atlanta is the smallest big city I've ever known!
Fernbank Visitors
The total exhibit contains relics, artifacts, works of art, and models of various mediums including sculpture, paintings, model animal parts, fossils, costumes, photographs, glass art, masks, statues, pottery, books, carvings, and videos. Suffice it to say that you're going to need ample time to fully explore the marvels of this exhibition.
After the dragon, the next largest "specimen" I encountered was the Kraken. Being a sea creature, its head and multiple tentacles are protruding through the (sea) floor. The tentacles are considerably taller than I am at 6'2"…an impressive red-eyed monster, to say the least.
Pegasus
Mixed between the upcoming Unicorns and Dragons are a multitude of other mythical creatures each coupled with placards explaining the cultures that told, or tell, their stories, as well as the evolution of some of them.
Among the creatures in the exhibit are: the Cyclops (Greece), Nessie (Scotland), Yawkyawk (Australia), Ahuizotl (Aztec), Kappa (Japan), Sedna (Arctic), Big Foot (Canada), Barong Ket (Bali), Son of an Almas (Mongolia),and Chupacabra (Puerto Rico), to name only a few.
Giant Squid tentacle
Coupled with several mythical creatures are real artifacts or specimens to help facilitate the truth about what people have seen, such as Jules Verne's Giant Squid from the book 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
To explain what he wrote about there is a six-foot section of tentacle modeled from a 25-foot Giant Squid caught in New Zealand, now in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The Giant Squid, a real species, can grow up to 70 feet long…so Jules was not totally exaggerating.
Gigantopithecus
Another interesting point convey by the exhibit is that some mythical creatures were based on fossil remains. The Gigantopithecus, a huge ape-ish creature that went extinct about 300,000 years ago (so we don’t know if humans ever actually saw one), was a habitant of certain parts of Asia.
The ancient Greeks created the Monster of Troy based on a fossil skull found protruding from a mountainside (believed). The skull is likely the remains of an ancestor of the modern giraffe, called Samotherium. Cultures' histories around the world are peppered with stories similar to this (and there are a lot more examples in the exhibit).
Another method of perpetuation of the existence of mythic creatures has been commerce or entrepreneurial…or to be more accurate, false advertising.
For example, northern merchants sold the tusks of a small arctic whale called narwhal claiming them to be Unicorn horns that held magical powers. They actually look very much like a Unicorn horn.
Feejee Mermaid
Another example is the Feejee Mermaid, called such for a hoax masterminded by P.T. Barnum (the famous circus showman), which is a "manufactured" mermaid created by sewing the head and torso of a monkey to the body of a fish…a practice more than 400 years old.
From personal experience, I recall living in Wyoming as a teenager, never having been out West and still relatively gullible, being shown and told stories about the "Jackalope," a cross between a Jack Rabbit and an Antelope, and shown specimens of the anomalous creature.
Griffin
It took only moments to reconcile the impossibility of such a creature (but weirder things do exist, right?), but the folklore of the Jackalope remains alive and well. As I would learn during my time in Wyoming, westerners love their practical jokes…which actually are lots of fun!
The Griffin, a personal favorite among mythical creatures, is represented in the exhibit…a tall golden one perched on hind legs, at that. A guard of gold, this particular model is actually gold in color…a remarkable representation.
Unicorn and Travis
A very, very popular photo spot in the exhibition is in front of the life-size Unicorn, a white horse with a single long horn growing from its forehead. The exhibit tells us that the Unicorn is a creature that exists in the history of many cultures, including the qilin, a Unicorn from China.
Even though there were mostly younger persons taking advantage of the opportunity to be photographed with a Unicorn, I myself couldn't resist…I mean, when is this opportunity going to present itself again?
Chupacabra
There is much, much more to see in this exhibition, but I've taken enough of your time. Go see the exhibition for yourself and be taken on a mythical adventure of epic proportions!
I'd like to applaud Fernbank Museum of Natural History for allowing photographs in this exhibit. They've made a lot of kids happy, adults too, by giving us special memories that we can revisit, and share, anytime we wish just by clicking through a photo album…thank you, Fernbank!
The Other Exhibits
The much-anticipated Fernbank NaturQuest exhibit is opening soon (Saturday, March 19, 2011). Created for kids, the exhibit will be a highly interactive fun and learning environment complete with a clubhouse, a tree fort or sorts, and state-of-the-art technology to engage kids in learning in several unique ways.
Lion Dance
And, for grownups, there is the Martinis & IMAX event on Friday evenings, which I'll be attending this coming Friday to catch up friends I knew in Washington, D.C. who live in Atlanta now…looking forward to meeting up with them in such an ultra-cool space.
There's a lot more to see at Fernbank. Some of the attractions that I like to revisit from time to time are the Star Gallery, Fernbank Forest, the rose garden, Reflections of Culture, World of Shells, and of course the dinosaurs! There's always something new at Fernbank whether a new special exhibit, a new IMAX film, or a fun exhibit-related event.
The Return
See an exhibit at Fernbank more than once? I totally want to go back and mingle with the dozens of mythical creatures at Fernbank, learn more about the similarities and differences among cultures when it comes to explaining the world we live in. So, yes, I will definitely go back to see "Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids."
Touring Fernbank Natural History Museum
Date toured: Saturday, February 19, 2011 Location: 767 Clifton Road, NE (directions and map) Parking: Free onsite parking Cost: $15 Adults; $14 Seniors and Students; $13 Children Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday noon-5:00 p.m. Website: http://www.fernbankmuseum.org/
The Fernbank Museum of Natural History is more than dinosaur bones (which the kids love with all the enthusiasm their little hearts can muster) and fossilized leaves. In Atlanta, it's a landmark destination for learning, as well as a one-of-a-kind venue for events and special occasions.
Upon arrival you know you're in for a quite an experience when you meander by the water garden featuring three bronze dinosaurs on your way into the Museum. Fernbank is an excellent destination rain or shine, but be mindful of the weather when you visit so that you know whether to make your photos of this little dinosaur family before or after your Museum visit. I visited on a rainy day, but took a few pictures before going in…the downpour was underway when I was finished touring a few hours later.
Touring Fernbank is self-guided, although the Museum does offer "hands-on, minds-on" field trips for K-12th grade classes. Be sure to pick up a Visitor Guide from the ticket agent or the ticket-taker at the beginning of your tour.
The Grand Hall
Historically speaking, I enjoy starting at the top and working my way down. That's what I did on this particular tour. The Museum's exhibits and other offerings are located on three floors: the upper level, the entry level and the lower level. The Grand Hall, around which these exhibits and offerings are located, is a soaring three stories high…or one story high if the building had been built 245-65 million years ago and you happen to be an Argentinosaurus—the largest dinosaur to ever walk the Earth.
The Upper Level should be called the Learning Level, I think. It's packed with opportunities to discover and acquire information about human life and geological development, just to start with.
Tornado Formation
One of the current exhibits on the Upper Level is "Reflections of Culture." This smaller, densely-packed exhibit teaches how people around the world demonstrate economic, social and political information. The colorful display includes native costumes, jewelry and photographs—you'll surely want to examine each section.
"Fun" is the best way to describe the "Sensing Nature" exhibit, also on the Upper Level. In this highly interactive exhibit, visitors learn about nature and science and have the opportunity to conduct their own television weather forecast. Be sure to look for the "coil" and truly test your senses.
The "Naturalist Center and Curators' Corner" is an area specifically designated for family-friendly activities every weekend, including an "animal encounter!"
The Museum is currently installing a new children's exhibit slated for debut in 2011. The mere mention of a multi-story tree fort makes me wish I was a kid again.
A Walk Through Time in Georgia
On the entry level, be sure to explore "A Walk Through Time in Georgia." It takes you through the Okefenokee Swamp, an underwater habitat and you can literally walk around dinosaurs that lived in what would become Georgia. The exit to this gallery is subtle. Once you're through the coastal life section, there will be a sign on a door on the right that says: "this is the conclusion" of this exhibit, please exit here.
"Conveyed in Clay: Stories from St. Catherines Island" is an insightful exhibit that shows the cultural evolution of Native Americans through their pottery. It's a modest exhibit and worthy of a visit.
Also on the Entry Level are the Museum Store, which you’ll pass when you exit the Museum, and the entry to IMAX Theatre, which features various 45-minute films throughout the year. Fernbank is also home of "Martinis & IMAX" every Friday night (January through November). The evening features live music, an array of cuisine and specialty cocktails, all amidst the former rulers of the Earth.
Giant Clam
On the can't-miss Lower Level, Giants of the Mesozoic feature dinosaurs that lived in Patagonia millions of years ago, including a flock of 21 Pterodaustro flying high over your head. Be sure to look for fossils on the floor. Much of the Museum’s underfoot is covered in limestone that contains mollusk fossils from 180 million years ago.
"The World of Shells" is a gallery featuring shells from Georgia and coastal areas around the world. The Giant Clam is the most impressive in size, but the exhibit is also wildly colorful and displays a collection of mind-puzzling shapes.
"The Star Gallery" is a special event venue at times, but during typical Museum hours, it’s an opportunity to learn about planetary evolution, celestial events and deep space activities—showing while I was there was the "Hubble Top 10" images.
Will I return to Fernbank, you ask? Absolutely. The permanent exhibits are fascinating and there is always something new at Fernbank, whether a recently released IMAX movie, an exhibit debut or an enticing special event—and the parking is free!
Touring Fernbank Natural History Museum
Date toured: Sunday, September 26, 2010 Location: 767 Clifton Road NE (directions and map) Parking: Free onsite parking Cost:
Adults - $15
Students and Seniors (62+) with ID - $14
Children (3-12) - $13 Hours:
Monday-Saturday – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday – Noon – 5 p.m. Website: http://fernbankmuseum.org/
