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Chico State

‘From Here to There,’ ‘American Wolves’ are the Newest Exhibits at the Gateway Science Museum

A Chico State student works with a pulley display at the Gateway Science Museum's newest exhibit.
Photo by Eddie Aldrete / Student Photographer

The Gateway Science Museum is close to finishing setting up a new exhibition called “From Here To There”. This exhibit showcases how motion works and how things move. Meaghan Sheerin interacts with the “levers” display and pulls on a lever to lift wieght on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 in Chico, Calif. (Eddie Aldrete/Student Photographer)

From things that float on water and in the air to those that roll on land, our world is in constant motion. And science is behind all of it.

How things move is the focus of one of the newest exhibits at California State University, Chico’s Gateway Science Museum. Looking through the lens of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), “From Here to There” will be shown in the North Gallery and explore the science behind the forces that fuel movement in our world, including wind, water, heat and mechanics.

“Visitors will have the opportunity to launch a hot air balloon, ride a hovercraft and float a boat, among other activities,” said Gateway director Adrienne McGraw. “This exhibit will really appeal to all of the ‘train brains’ and ‘gear heads’ in your family.”

A second display, “America’s Wolves,” will also be featured, and both exhibits will run from Jan. 26 through May 12. The Gateway will host an opening celebration for both on Saturday, Feb. 2, from noon to 4 p.m.

In “America’s Wolves: From tragedy to inspiration,” in the James W. Cornyn Valley Gallery, visitors will be able to take a closer look at the wolves that have roamed our country, like the red wolf, the gray wolf, the Mexican wolf and the Eastern wolf. The exhibit features educational and thought-provoking content and will encourage interactivity through games, myth-busting quizzes, discussion points and steps humans can take to help save wolves.

“The story of the wolf is compelling,” said Gateway educator Kurt Geiger, “and when you think about their relationship to our own dogs, their story becomes even more fascinating.”

“From Here to There” is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation and was developed by the Rochester Museum and Science Center (Rochester, New York) and the Sciencenter as part of the Traveling Exhibits At Museums of Science (TEAMS) collaborative. “America’s Wolves” was created and is being toured by Paly Foundation.

Another exciting spring opening at the Gateway is the Glenn E. and Ruth Gray Cunningham Memorial Exhibit, “The Foothills.” Coming to the Gateway Gardens in early 2019, the journey begins inside with an informative permanent exhibit and continues outside on the east side of the garden. “The Foothills” features plants from four habitats: riparian areas, savanna, oak woodland and chaparral. Interpretive hands-on panels tell the story of the foothills ecosystem, including the geology, flora and fauna, and the role that fire naturally plays in the landscape. A water feature mimics a riparian habitat and offers a pleasant experience for visitors. Dozens of plants from these habitats are labeled, helping to educate visitors about native species.

Additionally, Investigation Stations will continue to be offered on Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m. These drop-in activities included with museum admission and topics range from building a wind-powered car and traveling like an animal to brain games and celebrating Galileo’s birthday.

The Gateway Science Museum is located at 625 Esplanade, and is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admissions is $7 for adults, $5 for children and students, and free for museum members. For more information, call 530-898-5130 or visit www.csuchico.edu/gateway.

Those who require an accommodation in order to visit the Gateway Science Museum or who have questions about accessibility may contact the Accessibility Resource Center at 530-898-5959.