Sugar Rush: From Masterpiece to Mad Science
February 17-21, 10 am–5 pm
Food innovation and food science is fascinating. Cotton candy in particular offers an intriguing history and a unique sensory experience. So I am looking forward most of all to the Cotton Candy Science station.—Jenny Powers, Family Engagement Coordinator
Springfield Museums presents Sugar Rush: From Masterpiece to Mad Science, February 17 to February 21, 10 am–5 pm. During school vacation week, the Museums offer family-friendly art and science activities inspired by the special exhibit Sweet: A Tasty Journey.
“Food innovation and food science is fascinating,” said Jenny Powers, Family Engagement Coordinator for the Springfield Museums. “Cotton candy in particular offers an intriguing history and a unique sensory experience. So I am looking forward most of all to the Cotton Candy Science station.”
Powers and her Family Engagement Team devote their efforts to edutainment—which is fun way to say education plus entertainment. They will staff a number of exploration stations throughout the museums for hands-on art and science activities. For their theme, they chose candy. “Our museums are dedicated to creativity and innovation—and the candies in Sweet: A Tasty Journey demonstrate yet another way creativity and innovation mix.”
Cotton candy, which is sugar that has been melted and then spun into strands—has its origins long before the Big E. Renaissance chefs in Europe, for instance, pulled melted sugar into strands using forks and drying them on broom handles! The originator of American cotton candy—variously called candy floss or fairy floss—was a dentist by the name of William Morrison in 1897. A machine based on the one Morrison invented to heat and spin sugar is being used by scientists today to help grow new tissue in a lab. (Veronique Greenwood, BBC FUTURE)
“You never really know where innovation might lead,” Powers said.
Visitors to Sugar Rush will also have opportunity to explore hands-on science at the Smithsonian Spark! Lab, an innovation space where any one can be an inventor. And they have access to Dinosaur Train: The Traveling Exhibit, which features math and science as well as imaginative play.
All activities are free with museum admission.
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE (Please check online for dates)
Members-Only Giveaway, 10 am-5 pm
Museum members get a free scented pen and bookmark. One set per family while supplies last.
Meet Buddy, 11 am-2 pm
Meet Buddy the dinosaur, the star of the hit PBS Kids series and our latest special exhibit Dinosaur Train. Snap a pic and give the lovable young T Rex a high five or a hug.
BeanBoozled Challenge, 11 am-3 pm
Spin the wheel to compare tasty jelly bean flavors with the craziest ones from a popular candy company. Will you get a sweet treat or a nasty surprise? Line closes at 2:30 pm.
Sweet Trees, 11 am-3 pm (Friday only)
Maple syrup is one sweet treat that comes from trees! Join Professors Knows A. Lot to learn about maple from sap to syrup, including how it’s collected and processed, and maybe even try a taste, too.
ONGOING ACTIVITIES
Cotton Candy Science, 11 am-3 pm
Learn about the science of cotton candy, see how it’s made, and enjoy a sample of this sweet treat.
Sweet Mad Science, 11 am-3 pm
Will a chocolate bar float or sink? What happens to a marshmallow in a vacuum? How about when you heat up some bubble gum or add vinegar to a sour candy? Make your hypothesis and help one of our friendly museum educators run tests on popular candies.
Sweet Scavenger Hunt, 11 am-3 pm
Unwrap the origins of our candy cravings in this special exhibit!
Marshmallow Engineering, 11 am-3 pm
Can you build a tower using just mini marshmallows and toothpicks? How can you create a solid base and sturdy structure to make your tower as tall as possible? Practice STEAM skills and bring your marshmallows to new heights.