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Color Play: Exploring the Art & Science of Color at The Children's Museum of Memphis

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (August 26, 2008) – The Children’s Museum of Memphis is bringing the traveling exhibit, Color Play: Exploring the Art & Science of Color, to Memphis October 11-January 4. The exhibit invites children to play with colors through 14 hands-on interactives, including whole-body experiences and opportunities for fantasy play. The exhibit's centerpiece is the Color Playhouse. This colorful house with whimsical trompe-l'oeil detailing beckons children to enter its front door and explore.

There's something new in each room of the Color Playhouse. Two different lamps light the Yellow Light Room. A low pressure sodium lamp stays on, while a white light is turned on and off by the visitor and by a timer. The changing light dramatically transforms the paintings on the wall and other colors of the room. Under the monochromatic sodium light, everything is yellow or black. Colors appear like magic when the white light comes back on. The Yellow Light Room is the dress up room, too, where kids don whimsically colorful costumes. These change as dramatically as the walls when the light changes.

Older children enjoy the Stroop Test. It looks easy - reading aloud the names of colors. What makes it fun? They're printed in the wrong colors! The word "red" is printed in green, the word "blue" is printed in yellow. The words are simple to read, but the brain sees the colors, not the words. It's easy when the yellow sodium light is lit, but wait until the white light switches on.

Turn the crank in the Black Light Room to make an ultraviolet spotlight sweep the room, uncovering many surprises. A normally invisible wallpaper pattern, footsteps on the walls and other things hidden around the room appear. Even a plain white shirt literally glows.

The Rainbow Room is next. The 12-light (white light) chandelier in the center rotates, making moving rainbow reflections on the ceiling, since the whole ceiling in this room is covered with holographic refraction material. There is also a graphic showing how real rainbows happen. With comfortable places to sit, the Rainbow Room is also a place to enjoy a variety of books about color.

A row of Color Windows lines one side of the Color Playhouse. Through these windows, the rest of the world outside turns green, yellow, red and blue. Even better, if the neon swirl is located outside these windows, its colors are completely different depending which window you look though. The Neon Swirl is an interactive sculpture that displays many of the bright colors used by neon sign makers. When kids turn a crank the tubes flash on and off in sequence.

On the other side of the house, two windows invite further exploration from outside the Color Playhouse. Bright colors appear like magic when kids hold clear plastic objects between the two polarized filters in the Polarized Window. Kids can use ready-made plastic objects or make their own patterns with pieces of cellophane tape layered on small pieces of clear plastic. Each layer of tape changes the colors when the plastic is seen through the Polarized Window.

Kids lift a bubble frame to make the Soap Bubble Window. The colors in the soap film stand out against a solid black background. Color Dance invites more active play. Red, green and blue theatrical spotlights form sharply defined circles of light about six feet in diameter. Motor-driven, the lights wander. When they cross, new colors form. When all three blend, the light becomes white. Kids dance to the rhythms of the moving lights.

A series of hands-on activities stimulate the sensory awareness that is so important to young learners. A Prism’s Rainbow introduces a basic science concept: white light is made of colors. Kids move a prism into the path of light from a slit lamp, making a rainbow. When they turn a crank that bends a plastic mirror, the rainbow recombines back to white light.

A hands-on exhibit invites children to see themselves in TV Colors. It's a real television set with a large magnifier in the middle of the screen that lets children see the individual pixels of red, green and blue. Placed by the house, under the spotlights of Color Dance, it reinforces the message about what happens when red, green and blue lights mix. The image on the screen comes from a camera focused on the kids. Children can watch themselves, their polka-dotted costumes, their families and each other, and experiment with a color wheel they turn in front of the camera to see how all the colors are generated by the red, green and blue pixels.

Color Creations shows how transparent colored plastic pieces can combine to create new colors. Kids layer tangram pieces on a light table, making abstract shapes, flowers or other pictures. New colors form where the pieces overlap. Picture Printing shows how colored pictures are made. Even younger children enjoy rolling out the cyan, magenta, yellow and black transparencies that are used in four-color printing and watching a full-color picture appear!

Pigment Palette is an artistically done graphic wall display reminding children of the familiar experience of mixing colored paints. Color Spinners is a table of fixed-position tops. Kids spin them by hand to create a variety of color effects. Benham's disks are black and white, but colors appear when they start to spin. Color Mixer is just the opposite - it's a multicolored disk that turns white. Color Combinations create other colors when they spin. Red and yellow make orange. Blue and red make purple. Some disks show how the same two colors can combine in different ways. What makes the difference? The amount of each color.

Kids make a Color Storm when they hand crank the pedals of an upside down bicycle. The bicycle's rear wheel powers a fan that makes a riot of colored feathers fly around inside a clear chamber. The Big Kaleidoscope is big enough that a whole family or a group of kids can see the colorful patterns mix and change when one kid turns the crank. Go to the other end and your face can be in the Kaleidoscope, too.

Afterimages play with the eye-brain connection. What color is the United States flag? Stare at a yellow, blue and black image of Old Glory, and the afterimage of the familiar red, white and blue will appear. Put the Bird in the Cage. Stare at an image of a bird, then look at the empty cage to see the bird appear inside it.

Color Play is a joyful, creative exhibit that engages all ages. Younger children can simply enjoy the rich sensory experiences it provides, while older children can experiment and investigate, encountering concepts that will inform later experience with science and art. The exhibit is included with museum admission. For more information, visit cmom.com.

A private, nonprofit organization, The Children’s Museum of Memphis (CMOM) creates memorable learning experiences through the joy of play in hands-on exhibits and programs. Core values: the intersection of play and hands-on learning; a positive impact on the community; a positive family experience; a complement to classroom education; inclusiveness; excellent customer service; nurturing appropriate partnerships in the community; and following the best practices of the children’s museum field.

Location: 2525 Central Avenue. Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm, and Sunday, 12 noon-5pm. Admission: $9 per person (1-100) and free for museum members and children under one. Information: main line 901-458-2678 or information line 901-320-3170. Website: cmom.com has current information.

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September 2008 Calendar of Events

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Through September 28
Curious George: Let’s Get Curious!: The insatiable curiosity of Curious George - the little monkey who has captured the imagination and hearts of millions of children and adults for 65 years - comes to life in the Van Vleet Gallery. The exhibit introduces young children to Curious George’s world and leads visitors on a fun, meaningful interactive math, science and engineering-based adventure. The immersive exhibit environment takes place in the neighborhood where Curious George lives with his friend, The Man with the Yellow Hat. Inside the exhibit there are several areas: Apartment Building, Sidewalk Produce Stand, Construction Site, City Park, Mini Golf, Space Rocket, Farm and Museum Within the Museum. The exhibit was designed, developed and built by Minnesota Children’s Museum in partnership with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group. All ages. Included with museum admission.

Monday, September 1
The Newbery Club: Join us each week as we read another chapter in a Newbery Award Book. Theme: Mr. Poppers Penguins – Chapters 1 & 2. All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Monday, September 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29
Move & Groove Mondays: Join us to get your heart pumping! All ages. Time: 12 noon. Included with museum admission.

Search Party: Find clues, complete tasks and get a prize! All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Tuesday, September 2
My First Book Club: Explore and investigate our world through story time, crafts and a healthy snack. Theme: Knuffle Bunny Too. Ages 2-4. Time: 10am. Included with museum admission. Reservations required. Call 901-458-2678.

Tuesday, September 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
R&R Storytime: Read and relax while you enjoy a favorite story. All ages. Time: 12 noon. Included with museum admission.

Okie Dokie Karaoke: Sing your favorite tunes on a real stage in The Little Orpheum. All ages. Time: 1pm. Included with museum admission.

Wednesday, September 3
Pint Sized Science: These tidbits of experiments are just the right size. Theme: Slime. All ages. Time: 1pm. Included with museum admission.

Homeschool Lab: Join us as we explore a variety of activities and experiments that are sure to educate and excite you. Labs are strictly for Homeschool families only. Theme: Polymers. Ages 5-9. Time: 2:30pm. Admission: $3 members; $5 non-members. Reservations required. Call 901-458-2678.

Wednesday, September 3, 10, 17 & 24
Wild & Wacky Wednesday: Wednesday just got a little wackier. Join us for some wild and wacky games, puzzles or art! All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Thursday, September 4, 11, 18 & 25
Okie Dokie Karaoke: Sing your favorite tunes on a real stage in The Little Orpheum. All ages. Time: 11am. Included with museum admission.

R&R Storytime: Read and relax while you enjoy a favorite story. All ages. Time: 12 noon. Included with museum admission.

Thursday, September 4
Tales & Tunes: Listen to a story, sing songs and make a craft. Theme: Noisy Nora. All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Friday, September 5, 12, 19 & 26
Creative Corner: Stop by Art Smart to explore your creative side. We might draw a picture or write a poem. Ages 6+. Time: 11am. Included with museum admission.

R&R Storytime: Read and relax while you enjoy a favorite story. All ages. Time: 12 noon. Included with museum admission.

Okie Dokie Karaoke: Sing your favorite tunes on a real stage in The Little Orpheum. All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Saturday, September 6 – Girl Scout Day!
Try-It Art: Mobiles: All ages. Time: 11am. Included with museum admission.

Campfire Story: All ages. Time: 12 noon. Included with museum admission.

Paper Copters: All ages. Time: 3pm. Included with museum admission.

Saturday, September 6, 13 & 20
Okie Dokie Karaoke: Sing your favorite tunes on a real stage in The Little Orpheum. All ages. Time: 1pm. Included with museum admission.

Sunday, September 7, 14, 21 & 28
Art Smart a la Carte: Miss an art activity during the week? Well you can catch up with self-guided crafts in Art Smart. All ages. Time: 12 noon-5pm. Included with museum admission.

Search Party: Find clues, complete tasks and get a prize! All ages. Time: 3pm. Included with museum admission.

Monday, September 8
The Newbery Club: Join us each week as we read another chapter in a Newbery Award Book. Theme: Mr. Poppers Penguins – Chapters 3 & 4. All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Tuesday, September 9
My First Book Club: Explore and investigate our world through story time, crafts and a healthy snack. Theme: Wilbur’s Prize. Ages 2-4. Time: 10am. Included with museum admission. Reservations required. Call 901-458-2678.

Wednesday, September 10
Pint Sized Science: These tidbits of experiments are just the right size. Theme: Chromatography. All ages. Time: 1pm. Included with museum admission.

Wednesday, September 10 & 24
R&R Storytime: Read and relax while you enjoy a favorite story. All ages. Time: 2:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Thursday, September 11
Tales & Tunes: Listen to a story, sing songs and make a craft. Theme: Clifford the Fire House Dog. All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Saturday, September 13
R&R Storytime: Read and relax while you enjoy a favorite story. All ages. Time: 12 noon. Included with museum admission.

Home Grown Science: We’ll experiment with stuff you can find in your home and discover cool science! Theme: Slime & Ooze. All ages. Time: 3pm. Included with museum admission.

Saturday, September 13 & 20
Back 2 School Art: Visit Art Smart to make back-to-school masterpieces! All ages. Time: 11am. Included with museum admission.

Monday, September 15
The Newbery Club: Join us each week as we read another chapter in a Newbery Award Book. Theme: Mr. Poppers Penguins – Chapters 5 & 6. All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Tuesday, September 16
My First Book Club: Explore and investigate our world through story time, crafts and a healthy snack. Theme: Rooster Can’t Cock-A-Doodle-Doo. Ages 2-4. Time: 10am. Included with museum admission. Reservations required. Call 901-458-2678.

Wednesday, September 17
Pint Sized Science: These tidbits of experiments are just the right size. Theme: Slime. All ages. Time: 1pm. Included with museum admission.

Homeschool Lab: Join us as we explore a variety of activities and experiments that are sure to educate and excite you. Labs are strictly for Homeschool families only. Theme: Animation Station. Ages 5-9. Time: 2:30pm. Admission: $3 members; $5 non-members. Reservations required. Call 901-458-2678.

Thursday, September 18
Tales & Tunes: Listen to a story, sing songs and make a craft. Theme: I Am a Police Officer. All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Saturday, September 20 – Emergency Preparedness Day With Grover!
Eco Kids Club: Explore and investigate our world through hands-on fun. Ages 6+. Time: 3pm. Included with museum admission.

Monday, September 22
The Newbery Club: Join us each week as we read another chapter in a Newbery Award Book. Theme: Mr. Poppers Penguins – Chapters 7 & 8. All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Tuesday, September 23
My First Book Club: Explore and investigate our world through story time, crafts and a healthy snack. Theme: Opposite Safari. Ages 2-4. Time: 10am. Included with museum admission. Reservations required. Call 901-458-2678.

Wednesday, September 24
Pint Sized Science: These tidbits of experiments are just the right size. Theme: Polymer Worms. All ages. Time: 1pm. Included with museum admission.

Thursday, September 25
Tales & Tunes: Listen to a story, sing songs and make a craft. Theme: Chocolatina. All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Saturday, September 27 – Child Passenger Safety Day!
Design-A-Seat Belt: All ages. Time: 11am. Included with museum admission.

Safety Storytime: All ages. Time: 12 noon. Included with museum admission.

Home Grown Science: We’ll experiment with stuff you can find in your home and discover cool science! Theme: Egg Drop. All ages. Time: 3pm. Included with museum admission.

Monday, September 29
The Newbery Club: Join us each week as we read another chapter in a Newbery Award Book. Theme: Mr. Poppers Penguins – Chapters 9 & 10. All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Tuesday, September 23
My First Book Club: Explore and investigate our world through story time, crafts and a healthy snack. Theme: Apple Farmer Annie. Ages 2-4. Time: 10am. Included with museum admission. Reservations required. Call 901-458-2678.

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The Children's Museum of Memphis Extends Thursday Family Nights Through August

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (July 30, 2008) – The Children’s Museum of Memphis is extending its CMOM Family Nights through August. The museum is remaining open until 8pm on all Thursday nights in August – dates are August 7, 14, 21 and 28. The operating hours are 9am-8pm on those days. The museum was open all Thursday nights in July, and it was very successful. This was the first time in the museum’s history that it stayed open to the public during night-time hours. Because of this success, the museum decided to extend these special operating hours through August.

Beginning in September, the museum is keeping CMOM Family Nights, but those nights are moving to the first Friday night of each month until further notice. The hours are from 9am-8pm on the following dates: September 5, October 3, November 7, December 5, January 2 and February 6.

Instead of the usual night of television or boredom, the museum is encouraging parents to bring their children for a fun, relaxing and meaningful family outing. Concessions are available. A family movie is shown in the Malco 4 Kids at 6:15pm. Visit cmom.com for details or call 901-458-2678 for further information.

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August 2008 Calendar of Events

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Friday, August 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29
Creative Corner: Stop by Art Smart to explore your creative side. We might draw a picture or write a poem. Ages 6+. Time: 11am. Included with museum admission.

Okie Dokie Karaoke: Sing your favorite tunes on a real stage in The Little Orpheum. All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Friday, August 1, 8, 22 & 29
R&R Storytime: Read and relax while you enjoy a favorite story. All ages. Time: 12 noon. Included with museum admission.

Saturday, August 2, 9, 23 & 30
Vacation Art: Visit Art Smart to make vacation masterpieces! All ages. Time: 11am. Included with museum admission.

Saturday, August 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
R&R Storytime: Read and relax while you enjoy a favorite story. All ages. Time: 12 noon. Included with museum admission.

Okie Dokie Karaoke: Sing your favorite tunes on a real stage in The Little Orpheum. All ages. Time: 1pm. Included with museum admission.

Saturday, August 2
Home Grown Science: We’ll experiment with stuff you can find in your home and discover cool science! Theme: Eruption. All ages. Time: 3pm. Included with museum admission.

Sunday, August 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31
Art Smart a la Carte: Miss an art activity during the week? Well you can catch up with self-guided crafts in Art Smart. All ages. Time: 12 noon-5pm. Included with museum admission.

Search Party: Find clues, complete tasks and get a prize! All ages. Time: 3pm. Included with museum admission.

Monday, August 4, 11, 18 & 25
Art Smart a la Carte: Miss an art activity during the week? Well you can catch up with self-guided crafts in Art Smart. All ages. Time: 9am-5pm. Included with museum admission.

Move & Groove Mondays: Join us to get your heart pumping! All ages. Time: 10am. Included with museum admission.

Search Party: Find clues, complete tasks and get a prize! All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Tuesday, August 5
My First Book Club: Explore and investigate our world through story time, crafts and a healthy snack. Theme: Art. Ages 2-4. Time: 10am. Included with museum admission.

Tuesday, August 5, 12, 19 & 26
R&R Storytime: Read and relax while you enjoy a favorite story. All ages. Time: 12 noon. Included with museum admission.

Okie Dokie Karaoke: Sing your favorite tunes on a real stage in The Little Orpheum. All ages. Time: 1pm. Included with museum admission.

Wednesday, August 6, 13, 20 & 27
Pint Sized Science: These tidbits of experiments are just the right size. All ages. Time: 1pm. Included with museum admission.

The Kid Chronicles: Join us as Read Tennessee presents a story and activity. All ages. Time: 2pm. Included with museum admission.

Wednesday, August 6
Wild & Wacky Line Dancing: Who Let the Dogs Out: Wednesday just got a little wackier. Join us for some wild and wacky games, puzzles or art! All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Thursday, August 7, 14 & 21
Okie Dokie Karaoke: Sing your favorite tunes on a real stage in The Little Orpheum. All ages. Time: 11am. Included with museum admission.

R&R Storytime: Read and relax while you enjoy a favorite story. All ages. Time: 12 noon. Included with museum admission.

Thursday, August 7
Tales & Tunes: Listen to a story, sing songs and make a craft. Theme: Luke Goes to Bat. All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Saturday, August 9
Home Grown Science: We’ll experiment with stuff you can find in your home and discover cool science! Theme: Slime & Ooze. All ages. Time: 3pm. Included with museum admission.

Tuesday, August 12
My First Book Club: Explore and investigate our world through story time, crafts and a healthy snack. Theme: Never Give a Fish An Umbrella. Ages 2-4. Time: 10am. Included with museum admission.

Wednesday, August 13 & 27
Wild & Wacky Wednesday: Wednesday just got a little wackier. Join us for some wild and wacky games, puzzles or art! All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Thursday, August 14
Tales & Tunes: Listen to a story, sing songs and make a craft. Theme: Off to School Baby Duck. All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Friday, August 15
Sock Puppet Theater: All ages. Time: 2pm. Included with museum admission.

Saturday, August 16
J-Rock’s Paint Party: All ages. Time: 11am-12:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Tuesday, August 19
My First Book Club: Explore and investigate our world through story time, crafts and a healthy snack. Theme: Diary of a Worm. Ages 2-4. Time: 10am. Included with museum admission.

Wednesday, August 20
Wild & Wacky Line Dancing: Cupid Shuffle: Wednesday just got a little wackier. Join us for some wild and wacky games, puzzles or art! All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Thursday, August 21
Tales & Tunes: Listen to a story, sing songs and make a craft. Theme: Otto Goes to Camp. All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Saturday, August 23
Eco Kids Club: Explore and investigate our world through hands-on fun. Theme: Urban Outdoors. Ages 6+. Time: 3pm. Included with museum admission.

Tuesday, August 26
My First Book Club: Explore and investigate our world through story time, crafts and a healthy snack. Theme: Too Many Kangaroo Things To Do. Ages 2-4. Time: 10am. Included with museum admission.

Thursday, August 28 – Pirate Party Day!
Pirate Boutique: All ages. Time: 9am-3pm. Included with museum admission.

Sea Song Karaoke: Sing your favorite tunes on a real stage in The Little Orpheum. All ages. Time: 11am. Included with museum admission.

Arrr & Arrr Storytime: Read and relax while you enjoy a favorite story. All ages. Time: 12 noon. Included with museum admission.

Pirate Face Painting: All ages. Time: 2-3pm. Included with museum admission.

Pirate Parade: All ages. Time: 3:30pm. Included with museum admission.

Saturday, August 30
Home Grown Science: We’ll experiment with stuff you can find in your home and discover cool science! Theme: Chemistry! All ages. Time: 3pm. Included with museum admission.

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