In the Dark
Start seeing things at Ironworld's next exhibit, In The Dark. This totally touchy-feely exhibit features the creatures of nature's nightshift in five walk-through areas, enabling visitors to see and experience some dark and largely unseen worlds as well as the ways people have reacted to darkness throughout history.The $2 million nationally traveling exhibit is on loan to Ironworld from the Cincinnati Museum Center.
In the Dark's walk-though areas include "The Darkness of Night," detailed in dioramas of the Great Smoky Mountains, the Sonoran Desert and a Louisiana cypress swamp.
"Darkness Within the Soil" is an area of the exhibit that helps answer the question What lurks beneath the soil of your own backyard? This section includes interactive games such as "The Nose of a Mole," where visitors can touch a computer pad that simulates the vibrations a mole may sense within its underground habitat. In "Robomite," visitors are invited to "become" a termite and investigate the underground colony.
Other components of the exhibit are: "Darkness Deep Within Caves," "Darkness of the Deep Sea," and "Darkness and Humans."
IN THE DARK PROGRAMMING
Saturday, August 30 & Sunday, August 31: How to Make Candles Demonstration (Homestead)
Before electric lights, candles were necessities, not merely decoration as they are often treated today. Join northwoods- living interpreter Barb Walters of Side Lake and learn how candles are made through a simple process of dipping hot wax.
Thursday, September 11: Sky Observation Night 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
(Outside on cement south of the Perpich Memorial)
Representatives from the Paulucci Planetarium and the Hibbing Community College Astronomy Club will be stationed outside of the museum to demonstrate how to use telescopes to see various objects in the evening sky.
Thursday, October 2nd: Film Series: Seeing in the Dark 7 p.m. (Theater)
Embark on a spectacular cinematic and learning experience into stargazing and the wonders of the night sky with America's Writer Laureate of astronomy, Timothy Ferris. Based on his third book, Seeing in the Dark introduces viewers to the wonders of the night sky, making casual stargazing or serious amateur astronomy a part of their lives. (60 minutes)
Thursday, October 9th: Film Series: Crank: Darkness on the Edge of Town 7 p.m. (Theater)
Methamphetamine, also called "crank", counts more users than cocaine and heroin combined. Meth leaves in its wake: addiction, crime, burn victims, neglected children and toxic properties. CRANK: DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN measures meth's shocking impact on one Tennessee town, examining the deadly drug phenomenon, the legislation aimed at controlling the sale of meth-precursor cold medicines and the hard lessons families learn about addiction. (60 minutes)
Thursday, October 16th: Teachers Day
Teacher Workshop: 2 to 4 p.m. ($20 pre-registration required, $15 for members)
"Storytelling: a teacher's secret weapon"
In a world with increasing expectations for students and teachers, educators need to use every tool in their toolbox. Since the beginning of history, famous teachers, like Aesop, Socrates, Helen Keller and Gandhi have used stories to teach lessons, inspire creativity and strengthen problem-solving skills. Learn easy ways to find, learn and tell effective educational stories in the classroom in the minds-on interactive workshop. Participants will walk away with at least one story to tell at school on Monday.
Performance: 7 p.m. (Theater)
"Furry Heroes and Toothy Villains: Wolf Tales From Around the World"
We've all heard of "Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf" but that's just one side of the story. In countries like Finland, Russia and Japan, wolves are heroes in folktales and books. In Egyptian, German and American stories, wolves act like fools. Join award-winning author and storyteller Kevin Strauss, M.S. Ed. For an evening of wolf hero and villain stories from around the world. Get ready to be entertained, get ready to be entranced, get ready to be surprised. You'll be telling these stories the next day, guaranteed.
Friday, October 17th: Kids Day
"The Nature Ranger"
Meet "Kevin the Nature Ranger" in this interactive song and story program for families and children age preschool-grade 3. Learn songs and hear stories about spiders, frogs, bears and wolves. At the end of the program, Junior "Nature Rangers" will have a chance to touch animal fur, antlers and other nature props.
"Northwoods Animal Tales"
Have you ever wondered why bear's have short tails or why wolves live in the forest? Find answers to these and other questions at this interactive storytelling program for kids and adults. After the program, Kevin, naturalist and former "Northwoods Naturalist" for the Timberjay Newspaper, will also answer your animal questions and give you a chance to see and touch animal fur, antlers and other nature props.
Saturday, October 18th: Genealogy Conference:
Out of the Dark: Shedding Light on Your Family History($35, $17.50 for members)
A full day series of workshops designed to help you research and tell the stories of your family history. Keynote Presentation "How to Be Your Family's Storyteller" by author and storyteller Kevin Strauss.
Thursday, October 23rd: Film Series: Life's Greatest Miracle 7 p.m. (Theater)
Explore the darkness of life inside the womb in this remake of Lennart Nilsson's world famous film "Miracle of Life." This completely updated edition tells the inside-the-womb story of human life from conception to birth using the latest technological advances in microscopy and medical imaging. (60 minutes)
Thursday, October 30th: Film Series: The Undertaking 7 p.m. (Theater)
FRONTLINE profiles Thomas Lynch, a poet and undertaker whose family has cared for the dead in a small town in central Michigan for three generations. In The Undertaking, a critically acclaimed book, Lynch offered unique and profound insight into what he called the "dismal trade." In an intimate and revealing film, Lynch helps makes sense of the ways Americans cope with death, grief, and life. (60 minutes)
Sunday, November 2nd: The Facts About Seasonal Affective Disorder: Less Oprah, More Science by Steven Carter, PsyD LP
1p.m. (Theater)
With the end of daylight savings time on November 2nd, there is no avoiding the cold and dark reality of winter in northern Minnesota. This results in a "winter blues" experience or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) for many individuals. What exactly is this disease and how can it be treated? Discover the facts from Dr. Steven Carter, licensed psychologist, Virginia.
Thursday, December 4 through Sunday, December 7 Festival of Lights
Join us for this holiday event with trees, decorations, music and food.
Ironworld's community gallery will feature works that explore the role of darkness in our region.
Call Jennifer Rian, 218-254-7959, with questions about programming.