Beyond Bones

The reviews are in, and our virtual summer camp program is a hit for parents and kids alike! This summer we took to cyberspace and gave our beloved camp program a virtual makeover. Now, you don’t have to go farther than your laptop charger to have a summer science adventure. Led by our science experts, […]

They say that “seeing is believing,” but you’d be wise to trust more than just your eyes. Mike Eklund, Research Associate at the University of Texas, recently conducted a training session  in the museum’s fossil prep lab, and he told a story of just how much our eyes can deceive us. A university’s paleontology collection […]

As the holidays draw near, the halls of HMNS bring us Christmas cheer! We may not have a partridge in a pear tree, but with five floors of exhibit halls, the museum offers more than just 12 ways to make your winter break merry and bright. Try to count down the 12 Days of HMNS […]

Most people immediately think eggs when you talk about Fabergé, but the world-renowned jewelry brand has a legacy of crafting a wide range of pieces—from the mundane, like cigarette cases and paperweights, to the luxurious, like the Grand Duchess tiara that just joined the museum’s collection. This aquamarine and diamond diadem was owned by Alexandra […]

Walking into the Cockrell Butterfly Center (CBC), one of the first things you’re likely to notice is the sound of a 50-foot waterfall. The conservatory’s high glass ceiling, forest of lush plants and thousands of fluttering butterflies couldn’t be further removed from the sterile, white walls of a science lab. But just beneath the tropical […]

With their bright, fluttering wings and airy flight, butterflies are revered in cultures all over the world as beacons of hope and peace. It’s one of the many reasons we love the Cockrell Butterfly Center; the peaceful thrum of the butterflies creates a tranquil, tropical oasis. Now, a new piece on loan from Alan Bronstein […]

Sweet Serendipity Brings One of the World’s Top Sapphires to HMNS Hailing from an island of gemstones, the Siren of Serendip is one of the world’s largest blue sapphires. Considered one of the top five sapphires in the world, the Siren of Serendip weighs a phenomenal 422.66 carats and was discovered almost a century ago […]

Did you know that your favorite museum is making your new favorite podcast? Welcome to the Beyond Bones Podcast, a science podcast that’s all about looking beyond the bones and beyond the artifacts to explore the personal stories that inspire our collections. We’re back with Season 2, and it’s going to have more episodes and more […]

We all know that after a trip to the museum, you walk away armed with knowledge, filled with wonder and inspired to learn even more. But, let’s be honest, it’s pretty nice to get a new prof pic out of the whole endeavor. Our new exhibit Death by Natural Causes is packed with information about […]

It should come to no one as a surprise that ancient Rome didn’t exactly have the best track record where animal rights were concerned. From pitting large beasts against criminals for punishment to the integration of animal slaying in the games, animals in ancient Rome were subjected to cruelty that offends modern-day sentiments. One of the […]