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KANSAN.COM
ARTS & CULTURE
8
Natural History Museum to host adult field trips
▶ SAMANTHA SEXTON
@Sambiscuit
The Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum is reaching out with mimosas to rekindle scientific interest in the older generations.
"Now, more than ever, it's becoming increasingly important for people to understand the world scientifically and what's going on around them," Bekkah Lampe, the education program coordinator for the museum said. "We want to inspire adults as well as children."
Lampe, along with Teresa MacDonald, the museum's associate director, have developed a new program based on its field trips for children but will be specifically for adults 21 and older. With a light brunch and some alcoholic beverages, the two said they hope to see
interest in the sciences flourish.
it's becoming increasingly important for people to understand the world scientifically."
"We see parents come in with their kids during the field trips and we can tell that they are interested but that they defer to the children and try not to take away from their experience," MacDonald said. "This program will allow for those parents and others who may be interested to further develop their scientific understanding."
The program will include
Bekkah Lampe education program coordinator
three separate events, each focusing on a specific topic with a short class and handson experiments. MacDonald said that while these topics, such as genealogy and the study of DNA, are vast, the classes will be short, sweet snippets to avoid overwhelming or boring the participants.
Field Trip Science for Adults
"We want to reach out to the adults who may not have had a science class or who enjoyed their science classes but might have forgotten a lot since school," MacDonald said. "We want them coming away from this experience feeling more confident in their basic understanding of the subjects."
Whether attempting to keep up with new discoveries, reports in the news or simply wanting to help their kids with school work, Lampe said that adults learning about the world is important.
The Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum will host a new science program for adults 21 and older.
"A lot of the stuff we'll be talking about is pretty fundamental," Lampe said. "DNA, for example is relevant to a lot of news that is coming out, to health, to the environment and more areas that families can relate to."
Contributed Photo adults 21 and older.
While the museum has done adult-only programs before, this is the first time that the structure has been
developed directly from the style of the field trips for kids, helping to ensure the experience is as entertaining as possible.
"Science should be fun and engaging," MacDonald said. "Science is really for everyone and we want more people to realize that it's something they can be apart of."
held on Sundays throughout the fall and will include a DNA focused class this Sunday from 11 a.m-1 p.m. rock and mineral focused class Oct.16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and a cartoon guide to energy Nov. 13, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Each event is $15 to non-museum members. For more information visit biodiversity.ku.edu.
The three events will be
Material Girl tribute band to perform at Oread Hotel
Edited by Missy Minear
Contributed Photo
Lady Gaga and Madonna cover act "Material Girl" will perform at the Oread Hotel on Friday, Sept. 16.
▶ COURTNEY BIERMAN @courtbierman
The Oread Hotel will welcome Material Girl, a Lady Gaga and Madonna tribute band, on Friday, Sept. 16, for a concert at The Nest. The band performs well-known hits from both pop superstars at various locations in the Kansas City area.
"We are excited to have Material Girl play on top of the Oread," said Nancy Longhurst, the Oread's general manager. "They have a terrific sound, and I am sure students would love them."
Material Girl's set list includes songs like Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" and "Born This Way," and Madonna's "Like A Virgin." The band's manager and drummer, Shawn Lothamer, started the band in May of 2013. They started playing only Madonna's music, then the Lady Gaga set was added in the winter of 2014 to give the group a more modern sound.
"I've been told for years that I sound just like Madonna, and she's been my idol forever," Tafolla said.
Vocalist Sara Tafolla signed on in response to an ad Lothamer posted on Craigslist for a singer. Tafolla's sound and looks have often been compared to Gaga and Madonna.
I've been told for years that I sound just like Madonna."
Sara Tafolla Material Girl vocalist
Since its conception, Material Girl has made a name for itself playing venues in downtown Kansas City, Mo.,
and at regional gay pride festivals.
“[It’s a] show that makes you feel like you're at a Madonna or Lady Gaga concert, like you're really there,” Tafolla said.
The band said it's working on learning Lady Gaga's latest single, "Perfect Illusion," which came out last week.
Material Girl's show will be from 8-11 p.m. Sept. 16 at The Nest on Ninth at the Oread. There will be a $7 cover charge at the door.
- Edited by Christian Hardy
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