Valentine’s Day Events at the Exploratorium
February 2010

This Valentine’s Day, the Exploratorium celebrates romance with activities designed to explore the science of love. Explore flowers – some of the most beautiful sex organs on the planet – dissect a cow heart, and learn the latest information about human sexual reproduction. All events happen in February 2010, and are included in the price of admission to the Exploratorium. The schedule of events is listed below.

Thursday, February 4
After Dark: Sexplorations
Exploring Nature’s Reproductive Strategies
6-10pm

This event is recommended for adults only.

Sex involves the exchange of genetic information resulting in evolution and specialization—and is the reason you have your father’s nose. To these ends, Nature has evolved some surprising strategies. Anticipating Spring’s fecundity, we delve into the whys and wherefores of sex, and investigate the ways Nature is both conservative and creative in its pursuit of the procreation of life. This event is included in the price of admission to the Exploratorium. Or become an After Dark/Exploratorium member and receive admission to the whole season for under $25. To sign up for the Exploratorium’s After Dark email list and receive event details, contact afterdark@exploratorium.edu.

Explore flowers, some of the most beautiful sex organs on the planet, and learn about interspecies shenanigans through the pollinating habits of the birds and the bees, as well as bats. We’ll also uncover the sexual makeup of our own species. When was the last time you learned anything about what’s “down there”—health class in junior high? A few things have changed about what we know about human sexual reproduction: it’s time to bone up with a quick refresher on where to find everything, how it all fits together, and how to stay sexually healthy.

We’ll also provide a variety of sperm from across the plant and animal kingdoms for you to peruse under our video microscopes, as well as insect peep shows, films, and more!

Saturday, February 13
Heart Dissection Family Investigation Workshop
Noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day then by learning about the organ associated with love? In this class, each family will dissect a cow heart. Explainers will demonstrate cuts so that parents can help out younger children. Through both the dissection and other activities, this class will focus on noticing the details and discussing the function of each part of the heart.

Join us for behind-the-scenes investigations of the Exploratorium demonstrations. Families will have the chance to do hands-on explorations together, while learning skills that can be used at home. Each workshop will feature one of the activities from our award-winning Exploratopia publication, and will focus on practicing the Exploratopia “Tools for Exploration.”

Open to families with children ages 7 and up. Limited to 2 children per adult.
Prices are per family of up to 4 people. $14 for each additional family member.
Workshop only: $55
Workshop and a copy of Exploratopia: $75
You must be an Exploratorium member to register for this event.
To download the registration form, visit http://www.exploratorium.edu/membership/workshops.html.

Saturday, February 13
Valentine’s Day Kids’ Night Out
5:30-10pm

Give your kids—and yourselves—a night to remember. Children ages 6 and older are invited to spend an evening enjoying special activities, group games, and free time in the Exploratorium while parents have a fun time elsewhere! This Members-only event costs $40 for one child plus $25 for each additional child under the same Membership. An optional pizza dinner will be provided for $5 per child. A Family level Membership allows participation for up to 4 children, so feel free to bring a friend along! Pre-registration is required and must be completed by February 5. For more information, please visit http://www.exploratorium.edu/membership/events.html or call (415) 674-2879.

Sunday, February 14
Valentine’s Day Events

This Valentine’s Day, explore affairs of the heart, hand and mind through heart dissections, films about nonverbal communication, and a special tour designed to test the perceptions of you and your date.

The Ultimate Date Tour
2pm, 3pm, 4pm

Whether you’re on a first date or with your significant other, what better way to learn about each other than by exploring your perceptions together at specially chosen exhibits? Find out how hot your date is at Heat Camera or hold hands at Finger Tingler to feel for a spark. You can ask burning questions at Emotion Tracer, practice communication skills at Listening Vessels, preview potential offspring at Everyone is You and Me, pick up advice from the plant kingdom at Tricks of Love, and more. Led by the Field Trip Explainers, this tour is tailored to anyone who never wants to suffer through another bad date.

Heart Dissections
Noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, on the Mezzanine

Explainers will change things up a bit and perform cow-heart dissections during the afternoon.

Valentine’s Day Films: Between Friends and Family
2pm

From Saturday to Sunday (2008, 5 min.) by Christian Bruno and Natalija Vekic. This cine-poem celebrates the dual perceptions of two young travelers as they record the sights that surround them and the affection they feel for each other. Natalija Vekic and Christian Bruno first shot From Saturday to Sunday on two Super-8 cameras. The films are then projected side by side, creating a call and response between their different visions of Mexico City, Paris, New York, Budapest, and Northern California. Featuring music by Erik Satie, Ramon & Jessica, and East Ghost/West Ghost.

All Animals (2009, 16 min.) by Robert Arnold and Cynthia Mitchell. On a California back road, a conflicted father negotiates the future with his deaf daughter in this dramatic and touching film about two people struggling to communicate. The subdued performances are deepened by beautiful cinematography and an evocative, original sound composition.