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Children’s Museum Gala will feature moon science, moonshine

Posted at 3:05 pm December 1, 2020
By [email protected] Leave a Comment

Molly McCanta and her University of Tennessee students are analyzing moon rock from NASA’s Apollo 17 mission in 1972. She will discuss this moon science at the Children’s Museum Gala on Friday. (Submitted photo)

 

Moon science and moonshine will each be featured at the December 4 virtual Gala hosted by the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. The Gala theme, “MoonShine on the Mountain,” celebrates the region’s mountain heritage with humor, stories, and music, as well as the Museum’s own Rocket Room that encourages play in a space-like setting, a press release said.

Sugarlands Distilling Company, the Gatlinburg-based producer of award-winning moonshine and other spirits, will add its expertise and storytelling to the event, supporting the Gala in a variety of ways.

As for moon science, Molly McCanta will be a guest at the Gala, explaining how she and her University of Tennessee students are analyzing moon rock from NASA’s Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The UT professor is participating in a three-year project with researchers at two other facilities as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing in 1969. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Front Page News, Museums, Top Stories Tagged With: Children's Museum Gala, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Molly McCanta, Sugarlands Distilling Company

Children’s Museum Gala will be virtual

Posted at 3:00 pm November 18, 2020
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Sam Venable

Appalachian tales and mountain music will be presented at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge 19th annual Gala on Friday, December 4.

It will be the museum’s first virtual gala, and it will celebrate East Tennessee’s great mountain heritage with the theme “MoonShine on the Mountain,” a press release said. It will also feature Children’s Museum STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) mixed in with the entertainment.

Sam Venable, humor columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel, will bring his storytelling magic to the Museum, presenting Southern Appalachian Tales for the Gala audience, the press release said. Author of 14 books, Venable writes on outdoor and humor themes.

In recent years, Venable’s popularity has grown as a comedic entertainer, the press release said. His topics include how to speak “hillbillyese” and coping with the nutty life in which we live. He has teamed up with entertainers Bill Landry, a TV personality; Elizabeth Rose, singer and storyteller; and Jim Claborn, hillbilly funnyman, on the “Talk is Cheap” comedy tour at venues throughout the region.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Front Page News, Museums, Top Stories Tagged With: Children's Museum Gala, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Chip Bailey, Sam Venable

Children’s Museum offers scaled-down summer camps

Posted at 12:30 pm June 11, 2020
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

A lab station activity at a STEM Carnival fascinates a young child. Oak Ridge Associated Universities hosted the carnival at the Children’s Museum. (Submitted photo)

 

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will offer a scaled-down version of Imagination Station Summer Camp beginning June 29, with new safety precautions in place because of COVID 19.

Art, nature, clay, and Star Wars-themed camps—as well as STEM themes, backyard games, Japanese culture, and Oak Ridge history—will be among the camps.

“Our staff has been busy redesigning our exciting Summer Camp program in light of COVID-19 and the need for social distancing and other precautions, as advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” said Beth Shea, Children’s Museum executive director. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Front Page News, Top Stories Tagged With: Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Imagination Station Summer Camp, Summer Camps

Children’s Museum re-opens June 2 on three-day-a-week schedule

Posted at 1:54 pm May 26, 2020
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Children enjoy the Healthy Living exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge before it closed in mid-March. (Submitted photo)

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will reopen on a three-day-a-week schedule and welcome visitors beginning Tuesday, June 2, now that museums across the state are allowed to re-open.

The Museum will take precautions recommended as a result of COVID-19, including social distancing and increased cleaning of the facility, to protect the safety of visitors and staff, a press release said.

“Children’s Museum visitors will be expected to practice social distancing, and visitors ages 5 and older will be required to wear a mask. Masks will be optional for visitors ages 3-4,” said Beth Shea, executive director of the Museum. “All staff and volunteers in public areas of the Museum will wear masks, and the Museum will be vigilant about cleaning and visitor safety protocols.”

The Museum’s new schedule will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday until further notice, and the staff hopes to eventually expand the schedule, the press release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, COVID-19, Front Page News, Health, Museums, Museums, Slider Tagged With: Beth Shea, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, COVID-19

Children invited to enter Children’s Museum coloring contest

Posted at 2:24 pm April 25, 2020
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Charlie the Curious Bear, the Children’s Museum mascot, clowns around with a helper at a past Children’s Museum Gala. (Submitted photo)

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is inviting children to participate in its first coloring contest featuring the Museum’s mascot, Charlie the Curious Bear. Children from one-year-old toddlers through fourth graders are invited to submit entries by April 30.

Families may print the official coloring page from the Children’s Museum’s home page at https://www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org. Once the page has been colored and the form at the bottom of the page is completed, the original artwork may be mailed to the Children’s Museum at 461 W. Outer Dr., Oak Ridge, TN, 37830. Original artwork is preferred, but entries may also be scanned and emailed to [email protected].

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Education, Front Page News, K-12, Museums Tagged With: Charlie the Curious Bear, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, coloring contest

Museums, national park center closed

Posted at 11:34 am March 18, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The American Museum of Science and Energy is pictured above on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Museums and the national park welcome center in Oak Ridge are closed because of COVID-19, the respiratory illness that has infected more than 200,000 people in at least 144 countries around the world and killed more than 8,000 people.

The museums closed in Oak Ridge are the American Museum of Science and Energy, Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge, K-25 History Center, Oak Ridge History Museum at Midtown Community Center (Wildcat Den), and Y-12 History Museum at New Hope Center.

Also closed is the Manhattan Project National Historical Park Welcome Center at the Children’s Museum.

The AMSE bus tours are also not operating now.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, COVID-19, Federal, Front Page News, Government, Health, History, Museums, Museums, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: American Museum of Science and Energy, AMSE bus tours, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, coronavirus, COVID-19, Explore Oak Ridge, K-25 History Center, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, museum, Oak Ridge History Museum, Y-12 History Museum

Panhellenic Alumnae Association contributes to flat top exhibit at Children’s Museum

Posted at 11:42 am March 8, 2020
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Beth Shea, left, Children’s Museum executive director, receives a check from Panhellenic Alumnae Association President Joan Vicary to help restore and maintain the original Oak Ridge flat top house at the Museum. (Submitted photo)

 

After hearing plans for an exhibit featuring an original Oak Ridge flat top house, the Oak Ridge Panhellenic Alumnae Association decided to support efforts by the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge to restore and maintain the house.

Joan Vicary, Panhellenic Alumnae Association president, recently presented Children’s Museum Executive Director Beth Shea with a check for $1,800 to help complete the exhibit.

“The decision was unanimous that we wanted to support this project,” Vicary said. The association holds fundraisers and selects an Oak Ridge organization to support each year, a press release said. Members of the group visited the flat top on the museum’s grounds, heard plans for the history exhibit, and decided to help with funds raised in 2019, she explained. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, History, Museums Tagged With: Beth Shea, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, flat top house, Joan Vicary, Panhellenic Alumnae Association

Experience world cultures at Children’s Museum International Festival

Posted at 4:28 pm February 20, 2020
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Folk dancers representing many cultures around the world will be among entertainers at the International Festival on Saturday, February 29, at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge.

The family-friendly International Festival will present entertainment, crafts, and cuisines from many countries, with musical and dance entertainment on stage throughout the day and crafts for children to make and take home. The festival entertainment will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Februar 29 at the Children’s Museum at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.

Entertainers include the Oak Ridge International Folk Dancers; Spice of India Dancers; Kinetics Wellness Studio, with instructor Katrien Sevrin and students presenting contemporary Egyptian dance; Pasión Flamenca, performing flamenco and Spanish folk dances; the Meriaki Greek Dancers from St. George Greek Orthodox Church; the Tennessee Irish Dancers; Debka and the Oasis Dancers; National Martial Arts, demonstrating martial arts with audience participation; and the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee, along with the University of Tennessee Japanese Program. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Arts, Community, Crafts, Dancing, Entertainment, Festivals, Food, Front Page News, Museums, Music, Top Stories Tagged With: Arts Fund for East Tennessee, Children's Museum International Festival, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Knoxville Area Model Railroaders, Oak Ridge Amateur Radio Club, Oak Ridge International Folk Dancers, Tennessee Arts Commission

Learn about women in the Manhattan Project on Dec. 21

Posted at 6:24 pm December 12, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Close up of welding in prefabrication shop 1944 (Photo courtesy National Park Service)

What was life like for women and women scientists during World War II and the Manhattan Project?

You can join National Park Service staff on Saturday, December 21, as they discuss the social changes that occurred during World War II and how that affected women in the Manhattan Project. The Manhattan Project was a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic weapons during the war, and it included Oak Ridge.

The December 21 program is free to the public, but if you would like to explore the Children’s Museum, you will need to pay admission at the front desk. The Children’s Museum is located at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Federal, Front Page News, Government, History, Museums Tagged With: Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, National Park Service

Children’s Museum benefit to feature anthropologist Bill Bass, radio’s Frank Murphy

Posted at 9:58 pm September 13, 2019
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Frank-Murphy-Dr.-Bill-Bass

Frank Murphy, left, and Dr. Bill Bass will appear together at a fundraiser on Sept. 28, 2019, at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

Dr. William “Bill” Bass, founder of the “Body Farm” at the University of Tennessee, and radio personality Frank Murphy have appeared together many times since Murphy began interviewing the renowned forensic anthropologist each time a new Jefferson Bass novel was published.

“I’ve worked on four different radio stations in Knoxville and have interviewed him on all four,” said Murphy, afternoon show host on Classic Hits 93.1 WNOX.

Bass and Murphy will appear together again on Saturday, September 28, at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge as Bass discusses the science behind the Jefferson Bass novel “Bones of Betrayal,” a collaboration between Bass and co-author Jon Jefferson. Set in Oak Ridge, the novel explores the murder of a physicist, involved in the Manhattan Project race to build the bomb, whose body is discovered in a frozen swimming pool.

Bass will speak at 7 p.m., and Murphy will emcee the benefit presentation hosted by the Children’s Museum at 461 West Outer Drive. An earlier VIP reception begins at 5:45 p.m. Food may be purchased from Lanai Food Truck and Razzleberry’s Café, and beverages, including beer, wine, water, and soda, may also be purchased. Doors open at 5:30pm. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Community, Education, Front Page News, Museums, Nonprofits, Top Stories Tagged With: "Bones of Betrayal", Body Farm, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Dr. William Bass, Frank Murphy

Arts Council asks for help funding arts, music, ballet

Posted at 9:51 am July 31, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Arts Council of Oak Ridge is asking for your help funding arts, music, ballet, and other organizations.

The Arts Council organizes the United Arts Fund Drive. That helps member organizations that include Oak Ridge Civic Music Association, Oak Ridge Civic Ballet, Oak Ridge Arts Center, Oak Ridge Community Band, Oak Ridge Philharmonia, and Music Arts.

There are also two affiliate organizations, Tennessee Mountain Writters and Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge.

The funds raised through the United Arts Fund Drive go directly to the member organizations you designate, a press release said.

“It is through your support that these organizations can continue to grow and thrive,” the release said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Arts, Community, Dancing, Entertainment, Front Page News, Museums, Music, Nonprofits, Top Stories, Writing Tagged With: Arts Council of Oak Ridge, Charles Chin, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Music Arts, Oak Ridge Arts Center, Oak Ridge Civic Ballet, Oak Ridge Civic Music Association, Oak Ridge Community Band, Oak Ridge Philharmonia, Tennessee Mountain Writers, United Arts Fund Drive

Forensic anthropologist Bill Bass, founder of ‘Body Farm,’ to speak at Children’s Museum

Posted at 5:00 pm July 23, 2019
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Bill Bass

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will host a benefit presentation this fall by William “Bill” Bass, author, renowned forensic anthropologist, and founder of the “Body Farm,” the Forensic Anthropology Research Facility at the University of Tennessee.

Bass will speak at 7 p.m. Saturday, September 28, at the Museum, discussing the science behind the novel “Bones of Betrayal,” set in Oak Ridge, and answering questions from the audience. Frank Murphy, host of the afternoon show on Classic Hits 93.1 WNOX, will serve as emcee at the event.

The novel by Jefferson Bass, a collaboration between Bass and co-author Jon Jefferson, is a murder mystery set in Oak Ridge featuring a forensic anthropologist searching for clues to the death of a prominent scientist, a press release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Community, Education, Front Page News, Museums, Top Stories Tagged With: "Bones of Betrayal", Bill Bass, Body Farm, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, forensic anthropologist, forensic anthropology, Frank Murphy, University of Tennessee

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Classifieds

Public Notice: Comment period extended for Draft EA for Lithium Processing Facility at Y-12

EXTENSION OF THE COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE LITHIUM PROCESSING … [Read More...]

Public Notice: Draft Environmental Assessment Available for Lithium Production Facility at Y-12

AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE LITHIUM PROCESSING FACILITY AT THE Y-12 … [Read More...]

Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment for the Oak Ridge Enhanced Technology and Training Center (ORETTC) (DOE/EA-2144), Finding of No Significant Impact, and Wetland Statement of Findings

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

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