Death by Natural Causes
Opens for members March 9, public opening March 12, 2018 | Members see it first March 9-11, 2018
Snakes. Spiders. Sharks. The things you fear are the least of your worries! Death by Natural Causes will introduce patrons to the range of “animal, vegetable and mineral” dangers that lurk in their everyday lives. Through a collection of specimens, text and interactives, visitors can see what can cause a death, either directly or indirectly, from the natural world. Poisonous, venomous and toxic are just a few of the terms that will be clarified, and things you interact with almost daily will be used as examples—mushrooms, snakes, spiders and even common foods! Old wives tales and urban myths will be debunked, as visitors travel through five general areas of rich graphics, compelling visuals and surprising specimens.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science welcomes both adults and children to our special exhibition, Death by Natural Causes. This exhibition features a wide variety of live animals, real poisonous vegetation and a collection of minerals that can cause serious harm, including death. You might want to discuss the contents of the exhibit with your child before entering the exhibition. Enjoy the show and if you have any additional questions, please feel free to ask a HMNS staff member.
Organized by the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Local support provided by the John P. McGovern Foundation.
Death by Natural Causes Members Event
Please log in for member ticket availability.
Children’s crafts, cash bar and refreshments
Snakes.Spiders.Sharks. The things you fear are the least of your worries! Death by Natural Causes will introduce patrons to the range of “animal, vegetable and mineral” dangers that lurk in their everyday lives. Through a collection of specimens, text and interactives, visitors can see what can cause a death, either directly or indirectly, from the natural world.
Friday, March 8, 2018
Lecture – River of Dreams: the Ecology of Coastal Waterbodies by George Guillen
Streams, bayous, rivers, estuaries and the Gulf of Mexico form an intricate network of waterways that are linked by their hydrology, water quality and biology. Dr. George Guillen will explain the hydrology and ecology of the waterways of southeast Texas—and how humans have altered the delicate balance of freshwater inflow, nutrients and sediments that maintain the amazing diversity of life within these systems. Measures to conserve and restore these resources and ecological services that most people take for granted will also be discussed. Dr. George Guillen is executive director of the Environmental Institute of Houston at University of Houston-Clear Lake.
Tuesday, March 06, 2018 – 6:30 PM
Members $12, Tickets $18
Second Saturdays
2ND SATURDAY Is For Members!
Opening at 8 a.m. for Members only.
On the second Saturday of each month at our main location in Hermann Park, HMNS will open one hour early for Members only! See the Museum’s permanent exhibitions—always free for Members—before the crowds. Get exclusive discounted entry to special exhibitions, and enjoy arts & crafts, touch carts and guided tours while you’re here. Also featuring—Kid’s Pass! Bring it back every 2nd Saturday and your child will receive a small prize!
2ND SATURDAY is always free for Members. Make the most of your Membership and join us for 2ND SATURDAY.
And don’t miss out, now 2nd Saturday will now feature family programming from 9 a.m. to noon —with a different theme each month!
- Jan: Come explore the Lunar Eclipse with an educational lunar craft!
- Feb: Learn more about density through our interactive program “Discovering Density”
- Mar: Is it venomous or is it poisonous? Or maybe both? Explore the difference between poison and venom with us!
- Apr: Flowers are blooming early this year! Join us and celebrate our Earth by making a beautiful wildflower from recycled material
- May: Come talk about Energy with us through our interactive program “Exploring Energy”
- June: Make your Dad a great Father’s Day gift while learning about the early printing process!
- July: Join us this month and take home an awesome balloon creation!
- Aug: Love dinosaurs? We do too! Come learn about some of the dinosaurs in our Paleontology hall up close and personal through our program “Dinosaur Discovery”
- Sep: Come make your own interesting and unique pin to take home and show off!
- Oct: Join us this month and take home an awesome balloon creation!
- Nov: It’s that time again! Make an ornament to take home or leave with us – come back in December to see it hanging on the HMNS Member Tree in the Grand Hall!
- Dec: Ever wonder about the weather? That’s great, we love to learn about it! Come explore the atmosphere and our ever-changing weather!