Buffalo Museum of Science

09/21/2024

😋 Check out Maritza Vega of the Hispanic Heritage Council leading demonstrations of traditional Latin cooking from Puerto Rico!

Smelled and tasted delicious!

09/20/2024

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for our press conference announcing our new sports-themed exhibit in partnership with the Buffalo Bills and Sabres! 🦬

We especially wanted to thank our Board of Managers, Assemblymember Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Senator Sean Ryan, Councilmember Zeneta Everhart, and all elected officials who had representation at the event today. We thank you for your support of the Museum and our community!

And of course, thank you to the support of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, we can't wait to show you what we've come up with for this exhibit.

Learn more about the announcement here: https://www.sciencebuff.org/buffalo-bills-sabres-partnering-with-buffalo-museum-of-science-for-new-exhibit/

09/20/2024

We’re ready to share our secret! A new sports-focused exhibit is coming in fall 2025 in partnership with the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres organizations!

The exhibit will encourage visitors to explore the science behind sports. Interactive exhibit displays will highlight physics, sports health, technology, and fandom culture. Some of the highlighted experiences include a “Shout” chamber to measure the decibel level of a fan’s cheer, a media desk for guests to translate sport statistics, and a design-your-own mascot display!

Learn more about this exciting coming attraction at the link: https://www.sciencebuff.org/buffalo-bills-sabres-partnering-with-buffalo-museum-of-science-for-new-exhibit/

09/20/2024

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Sunset Sips this evening! It was a beautiful evening to match the beautiful sunset over the Buffalo skyline ✨

We wanted to say a special thank you to the Philanthropy Circle members who were able to join us at tonight’s event. We appreciate all that you do year-round to support the Buffalo Museum of Science and Tifft Nature Preserve!

Interested in becoming a Philanthropy Circle member? Learn more at our website: https://www.sciencebuff.org/giving/philanthropy-circle/

09/18/2024

West Herr Auto Group knows cars! 🚗 That's why we could think of no one better than Scott Bieler and the West Herr team to come try out our newly refurbished test track in our In Motion science studio. A big thank you to Scott and West Herr for your support of the Buffalo Museum of Science!

Make sure to stop by and test out your model car the next time you visit!

09/17/2024

We know that if we say "eclipse" one more time, we have to put a dollar in the jar, but if you happen to look outside tonight, maybe it will be worth it? 🤓

A partial LUNAR eclipse may be visible tonight (Sept 17) during the Super Harvest Moon. A Super Moon occurs when the Moon is closer to the Earth (or, perigee) and appears larger in the sky. While we won't be plunged into darkness like during the total solar eclipse back in April, this unique event may give us some cool hues and views of the Moon!

Around 10:44 p.m. tonight, take a peek outside and send us any cool photos you get!

Learn more here:

In addition to being a slightly larger-than-average "supermoon," September's full moon will also experience a partial lunar eclipse when it rises on the evening of Sept. 17.

09/17/2024

Lots of fall long weekends coming up and the Museum is here to help with childcare! 💪

We’d love to see your aspiring scientist at any or all of our 1-Day Discovery Camps coming up this fall. Camps take place from 9am-4pm on Oct. 14 and Nov. 5, 11, and 27 for students in grades K-2 or grades 3-5.

Learn more at https://www.sciencebuff.org/programs/discovery-camps/

09/16/2024

We love celebrating a local science leader 🦬 If you haven’t met her already, meet Dr. Ellis Gomez!

Dr. Ellis Gomez is a family medicine physician and the site medical director at Neighborhood Health Center’s Mattina location on Buffalo’s lower west side.

Gomez grew up in the Bronx in a working poor family of Dominican/Puerto Rican immigrants. She came to Western New York for medical school at the University of Buffalo, and did her residency in family medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania. Dr. Gomez returned to Buffalo in 1993 to work at the Niagara Family Health Center and was the only provider to stay on when it became Neighborhood Health Center in 2011.

Over the years, Dr. Gomez has declined offers that might be viewed as more prestigious or more financially lucrative. She loves the community and patients she serves on the west side of Buffalo. Dr. Gomez has served the Buffalo community for over 30 years in primary care. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with medical residents and helping them deepen their understanding of diverse patient populations.

Dr. Gomez is married to a well-known podiatrist and has four adult children. Beyond her vocation, she enjoys traveling with her husband, cooking, hiking, and Latin dancing.

Dr. Ellis Gomez is among the number of people we are recognizing this Hispanic Heritage Month for their contributions to science here at the Museum.

Photo by Buffalo Business First

09/15/2024

We join our cultural friends at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens in grieving the loss of their President and CEO Mark Mortenson and former President and CEO of the Buffalo Museum of Science and Tifft Nature Preserve.

Mark's energy and vision was the catalyst for the transformation of the museum's permanent exhibits and the expansion of the Darling Education Center at Tifft during his leadership from 2007 to 2015.

Mark has left an indelible impact on the Buffalo Society of Natural Science's history as well as the WNY community. Our thoughts and hearts are with his family, friends, and all who were fortunate to be inspired by him.

09/14/2024

Another bubble-tastic BubbleFEST in the books!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for one of our favorite traditions here at the Bubble-o… Buffalo Museum of Science!

We wanted to give a big shout out to Five Star Bank for making this such a memorable BubbleFEST and Sensory Night: BubbleFEST! We appreciate your support and we’re glad you could be a part of such an awesome day.

And of course, a special thank you to all of our volunteers, staff, and partners who truly make this event possible. We couldn’t have done it without you!

09/13/2024

'Twas the day before BubbleFEST, when all through the Museum,
All the staff members were stirring, so excited to see you!
The bubble solution was stored in containers with care,
In hopes that our BubbleFESTers would soon be there!

The children were gathering their towels and Keds;
While visions of giant bubbles danced in their heads;
And Grandma packed snacks and I put out my cap,
”After BubbleFEST, I vote we all take a nap!”

See you tomorrow for BubbleFEST presented by Five Star Bank! Breeze through the line tomorrow by purchasing your tickets online: https://www.sciencebuff.org/event/bubblefest-presented-by-five-star-bank/

09/10/2024

Sensory Night: BubbleFEST is almost here! This event is perfect for children and families who love bubbles but would prefer a calmer environment to experience the Museum and all of our fun and bubbly activities.

During Sensory Nights, we turn down the exhibit sounds and limit capacity to provide a comfortable and fun evening of learning and exploration! Our staff will offer hands-on bubble sensory activities like foamy fun, bubble wands, slime bubbles and more!

Sensory Night: BubbleFEST presented by Five Star Bank will take place on Friday, September 13 from 5-8pm. Tickets are available here: https://www.sciencebuff.org/event/sensory-night-bubblefest/

09/09/2024

We write really cool Museum event titles, not tragedies 🎩

Cue the most iconic string pizzicato song opening in history: “Oh, well imagine, as I’m pacing the exhibits in the Museum corridor…”

On October 18, join us for four floors of freakish fun at Science After Hours: Panic! at the Museum from 6-9pm. Our adults-only spooky evening just got a little grosser: new for 2024, we are excited to offer cow eyeball dissection sessions for as an add-on to admission.

If eyeballs aren’t your thing, there will still be plenty of frights and delights offered by our Museum staff and community partners! And, as always, we’ll have liquid courage available at our cash bar (credit cards accepted). Adults 21+, ID required.

Ready to face your fears? Register here: https://www.sciencebuff.org/event/science-after-hours-panic-at-the-museum/

09/06/2024

Excitement is bubbling for BubbleFEST 2024 🫧 Here are some of our favorite moments from last year’s event as we get excited for September 14!

Here’s what we have to look forward to:
🎉 Buffalo Foam Parties Foam Zone (weather dependent)
🎉 Bubblemania shows with the Bubble Man Doug Rougeaux (add-on ticket)
🎉 Bubble pools, bubble walls, bubble windows, foamy fun, giant bubbles, slime bubbles, bubble art, boo bubbles, and more!

This year, we are excited to offer a Sensory Night on Friday Sept. 13 with limited exhibit sounds and special sensory activities. Tickets for both events are available at sciencebuff.org!

BubbleFEST 2024 is presented by Five Star Bank

09/05/2024

Gary Siddall the GOAT 🐐

Thank you to Buffalo Spree magazine for publishing this great interview with Gary on the Museum and Tifft Nature Preserve! Read it here:

Gary Siddall was twelve when he became a volunteer at Aquarium of Niagara. Born in Lewiston, Siddall’s family relocated to Houston before his last year of high school, but he

09/05/2024

You’ve been to the fourth floor of the Museum, but have you been to the secret fourth floor? 🤫

There’s so much that you haven’t seen before in our 4th floor collections department that is usually closed to the general public. We open it up sometimes for Collections Live and for special behind-the-scenes tours but few will ever get to see it!

Find out what’s lurking in our Vertebrate Zoology collection on our next Cabinet of Curiosities tour on September 18 from 6-7:30pm.

Ages 18+, register here: https://www.sciencebuff.org/event/behind-the-scenes-collections-tours-cabinet-of-curiosities-3/

09/04/2024

Looking for a “relaxing” skill to learn? 😆

Come to our Insect Pinning SciNight on Sept. 11 from from 6-7:30pm!

We’ll cover the ins and outs of the relaxing process (aka, making dry specimens pliable again so they don’t shatter when pinned) and you’ll create your own pinned specimen that you can take home.

Ages 18+, register here: https://www.sciencebuff.org/event/scinight-insect-pinning-2/

09/03/2024

Go Team BMS! 👏

Today, our staff participated in a cleanup of MLK Park organized by our amazing DEW Team (Diversity Equity Work Group)! It’s a privilege that our Museum sits in an Olmsted Park and we were proud to show that park some love today. Carolyn even managed to match the shovel, that is dedication 😂

Thank you to our DEW team and all who came out to clean! And thank you to for being such great partners and neighbors!

09/03/2024

A blast from the past and fascinating flora! 💐

Our new Collections Live offerings for September and October are here. During these free, drop-in programs, you’re invited to get up close and personal with items in our Museum collections and have a chat with our collections staff about the work they do behind-the-scenes at the Museum every day.

Here’s what’s coming up for September and October:

📸 Processing Historic Images (Mondays, 12:30-3:30pm)
🪻 Herbarium: A Botanical Legacy (Thursdays, 12:30-3:30pm)

Collections Live! is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Included with Museum admission and free for members. No pre-registration required!

09/02/2024

We are open on Labor Day, September 2, for normal business hours 💙

Enjoy your day off exploring the Museum with family or friends! Purchase tickets online at sciencebuff.org or at the door.

08/24/2024

Science Saturday 🧪 - But first, coffee!

Whether you’re a Tim Hortons or Starbucks stan, you’re familiar with the Arabica coffee plant! Arabica is a hybridization between two other species of coffee (C. eugenioides and C. canephora) but recent research shows that this cross happened naturally and without human intervention. In an April 2024 study, researchers (co-led by Dr. Victor Albert, UB Dept. of Biological Sciences!) found that the Arabica coffee plant evolved between 600,000 and 1 million years ago after the two aforementioned coffee plants randomly crosspollinated in what is modern day Ethiopia.

Why is this important?? By studying its genome and history, scientists learned that Arabica had low genetic diversity. This discovery, along with the fact that Arabica is only cultivated in a few places in the world, makes it extremely vulnerable to diseases and pests. “A detailed understanding of the origins and breeding history of contemporary varieties are crucial to developing new Arabica cultivars better adapted to climate change,” said Dr. Albert in an article published in UB Now.

If you love your morning coffee, raise a mug to Dr. Albert and the UB Department of Biological Sciences!

Image Credit: The Arabica coffee plant (skaman306 via Getty Images)

08/22/2024

Throw your child the best birthday ever at the Buffalo Museum of Science! 🎉

Here’s what you get when you book a birthday party with us:
🎁 General Museum admission for all partygoes
🎁 Exclusive use of the party room for 2 hours
🎁 45min to 1hr of facilitated and themed activities
🎁 Themed group science activity
🎁 Basic decorations, including tablecloths
🎁 Gift storage
🎁 and party clean up!

Check out our website for more information: https://www.sciencebuff.org/plan-a-visit/birthdayparties/

08/16/2024

If you’ve visited our Bug Works science studio, you’ve seen our beautiful Bug Works sign made of pinned insect specimens, but have you ever wondered why we pin insects? 🪲

Because most insects are so small and the distinctions between species can be so miniscule, specially pinned specimens are needed so that they can be observed carefully under a microscope while preserving their characteristics.

If you want to learn more about our Bug Works sign and how to pin insects, join our SciNight: Insect Pinning workshop on September 11 from 6-7 pm. You’ll receive your own pinning board, spreading materials and specimens to take home!

Ages 18+, register here: https://www.sciencebuff.org/event/scinight-insect-pinning-2/

08/15/2024

It’s National Relaxation Day! 😮‍💨

Did you know that the Museum has a Comfort Room that is available for guests on the first floor? This room is open during regular Museum hours and is perfect for nursing, diaper changing, or just escaping from the noise.

This room has a changing table, sink, lots of chairs and couches, as well as quiet activities like books and puzzles.

Check it out the next time you’re at the Buffalo Museum of Science!

08/13/2024

This isn’t your grandma’s cabinet 👵

Unless your grandma’s cabinet has lots of taxidermy animals. In which case, we would like to be friends with your grandma.

Come explore the Museum’s fourth floor collections during our next Cabinet of Curiosities tour on August 21 from 6-7:30pm! This is a guided tour where we let you take a peek at some of our most unique Vertebrate Zoology Collection items. You never know what you’ll encounter in the Cabinet!

Ages 18+, register here: https://www.sciencebuff.org/event/behind-the-scenes-collections-tours-cabinet-of-curiosities-2/

08/12/2024

We’re excited to be offering a BubbleFEST Sensory Night on September 13 from 5-8pm!

Limited exhibit sounds will provide a comfortable and fun evening of learning and exploration! Plus, all guests may enjoy hands-on bubble related sensory activities such as foamy fun, bubble wands, slime bubbles, and more!

A limited number of sensory backpacks including sound dampening headphones, visual communication cards, and fidgets will be available upon request, along with dedicated quiet areas on the 1st and 4th floors and balcony.

Space is limited to the first 200 tickets reserved; pre-registration strongly encouraged. Register here: https://www.sciencebuff.org/event/sensory-night-bubblefest/

08/09/2024

Meet your Planetarium Show guide, our Astronomy Coordinator Holly Cohen! We asked her a few questions on what guests can expect for a Planetarium Show:

✨ What can I expect at a Planetarium Show?
"Expect a new experience, since our planetarium is mini-and portable! There are no bad seats, the audience is small, and there is a gentle breeze (because it inflates with a fan)."

✨ What's your favorite thing that the Planetarium can show?
"I love the constellations - bringing up ancient heroes, monsters and mythical creatures people from all over the world have imagined in the sky is awe-inspiring."

✨ Why should I come to a Planetarium Show?
"Our shows are completely live and interactive, so every one is different. The things we cover are chosen by our audience, so YOU get to decide what wonders we uncover!"

Register for our next show on August 24 here: https://www.sciencebuff.org/event/planetarium-shows-2/

08/06/2024

Experience the magic of having the night sky at your fingertips at Twilight at the Museum! 🌌

This Friday (8/9, 8-11pm) is Twilight at the Museum: Magnificent Moonset! Sneak a peek at the mountains and valleys of a crescent moon as it follows planet Venus to set in the west. After dark, learn the basics of naked-eye stargazing, then take a closer look through our scopes at stars of every size, distance and color. Rooftop access is weather dependent.

All four floors of the Museum will be open for you to explore. All ages welcome, register here: https://www.sciencebuff.org/event/twilight-at-the-museum-magnificent-moonset/

08/05/2024

Showing off some of our favorite get well cards for our hissing cockroaches! 💙

Recently, our cockroaches have been feeling a little bit under the weather so we turned to our guests to make them cards while they recover.

Learn more about what goes into taking care of our living arthropod collection and get up-close-and-personal with them at SciNight: Arthropodapalooza on August 7 from 6-7pm.

Ages 18+, register here: https://www.sciencebuff.org/event/scinight-arthropodapalooza/

08/02/2024

Our BMS Collections team (namely Abbey and intern Annika) recently hit the road to learn stream survey techniques with Canisius professor Dr. Robin Foster. They also helped with a monitoring project for endangered species!

Abbey said “I’m proud to be involved with ‘boots on the ground’ conservation work that will benefit the ecosystem as a whole. It’s also great to be able to get our interns out for amazing opportunities, too!”

This research trip was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-253193-OMS-23.