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New draws at Natural Science Center: Baby wolves, Titanic, body exhibits

Friday, March 4, 2011
(Updated 3:53 pm)

GREENSBORO — The “Bodies Revealed” exhibit at the Natural Science Center is coming down Sunday, but staffers expect to see continued record-breaking attendance with three upcoming attractions.

Maned wolf pups, a comprehensive health exhibit and a display of artifacts from the Titanic are expected to draw visitors statewide.

The maned wolf pups — two females and a male — were born on Super Bowl Sunday. Maned wolves, an endangered species, are rare. Just nine pups were born and survived in 2010, and there are only 86 total in captivity in the U.S.

“We’re finally excited to be a leader in the maned wolf conservation process,” said the center’s executive director, Glenn Dobrogosz.

Small groups of science center members will be able to view the pups from the boardwalk at select times next week. The exhibit will be open to the public March 12.

Dobrogosz said there is a caveat: “They are still little puppies. People may or may not see them (awake).”

They are expected to be more active by April.

The male was named Packer; a staffer will name one of the females. And there will be a public contest to name the other female.

HealthQuest, expected to open in early June, gets up close and personal with body issues.

Imagine sticking your arm through an intestine.

Or stepping up to a microphone that amplifies the sounds in your belly.

Or learning about flatulence through a machine that emits gas when a button is pushed.

Vomit is expelled through a tube, then emptied onto a containment bladder on a table.

Dobrogosz expects adults to enjoy the center’s newest permanent exhibit as much as the kids.

“It’s science and the gross-out factor combined,” he said.

HealthQuest also includes two fully plastinated, or preserved, bodies, as well as digestive, spinal and respiratory systems.

“Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition,” opening July 30, will include objects recovered from the shipwreck. Visitors will receive a replica of a boarding pass from the ship. Other features include room recreations of first- and third-class cabins. Visitors can also press their palms against an iceberg while hearing stories of heroism and humanity.

An added bonus is the chance to enter a drawing for a free, seven-day Western Caribbean cruise valued at $1,300.

Dobrogosz reported annual record-breaking attendance already this year. In just two months, the center has drawn one-third of last year’s total number of visitors. Dobrogosz said it turned away about 1,000 visitors every weekend in February during the run of “Bodies Revealed.”

There wasn’t enough space for everyone to park. This prompted science center leaders to speed up plans for parking expansions. Work begins soon on an extra 130 spaces in the parking lot near Country Park. He hopes this will be completed by the time the Titanic exhibit opens. Tram service also is available through the summer from Country and Military parks to the science center.

Dobrogosz said the science center has proved it can increase tourism in Guilford County, and he expects the trend to continue with the upcoming permanent and traveling exhibits there.

“We put our time, effort and money where our mouth was. Everything is really coming to a head now, full fruition,” he said.

Contact Tina Firesheets at 373-3498 or tina.firesheets@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

Courtesy of the Natural Science Center

Photo Caption: A baby maned wolf born on Super Bowl Sunday.

Additional Photos

Coming soon

* Three maned wolf pups, on exhibit March 12 * HealthQuest, a comprehensive health exhibit, in early June * “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition,” featuring objects recovered from the wreck, July 30. Cost: $12-$13, in addition to the cost of general admission.

Comments

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Aeolius

March 4, 2011 - 7:14 am EST

Absolutely Outstanding! I was saying just the other day that I hoped the success of "Bodies Revealed" would draw larger exhibitions. Now we get "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition"

Panacea

March 4, 2011 - 8:06 am EST

I took my students to see Bodies Revealed. Not as good as Body Worlds, but well worth the price of admission. They loved it, and it helped clarify some concepts I was trying to explain to them.

debbie7

March 4, 2011 - 8:28 am EST

The line up sounds interesting. I did see the Body Revealed. It is great to have the Natural Science Center, however, the cost is prohibited. I understand why they need to charge what they do, it is just frankly too much.

histrion

March 4, 2011 - 9:07 am EST

Yes, the Body Revealed exhibit was pricey on top of standard admission, but the standard NSC ticket price is $7 for city residents. People will happily pay $9 to go sit in a movie theater for two hours, plus $4 for a bag of stale popcorn and an equal price for a little corn syrup in bubbly water. $7 for an opportunity to see and interact with tigers, monkeys, peacocks, turkeys, burros, goats, sheep, otters, meercats, fish, birds, snakes and other assorted animals, plus explore the state's geology, ecology, and natural history? For something like $70, a family of three can go all year long, any time they want to go -- and get free or reduced admission at hundreds of other zoos and museums, to boot. I think it's a bargain.

spartan2001

March 4, 2011 - 11:39 am EST

Just a piece of advice, a NC Zoo Society membership gets you free or discounted admission to all sorts of places in our state and others, including the Science Center (free admission, though I'm sure you'd still need to pay for admission to special exhibits).

tghdobro

March 4, 2011 - 1:45 pm EST

The NC Zoo membership gets you into the Science Center for half price and vice versa. The Science Center membership gets you into the NC Aquariums at no cost, provides free or discount rates at about 140 zoos across the country and free or discount rates at hundreds of museums across the country. The NSC is BOTH zoo and museum accredited thus providing both options.

spartan2001

March 4, 2011 - 2:11 pm EST

I have an NC Zoo membership (the individual +1 kind). I and a guest get into the Science Center, NC Zoo and NC aquariums free. At out-of-state zoos and aquariums, I get 50% discounts on admission. It costs about $40/year. Have had it for more than 10 years. Use it at the Science Center at least twice per year.

tghdobro

March 4, 2011 - 3:57 pm EST

Please do not expect free at the NSC in the future. The agreement both ways is 50% off.

spartan2001

March 4, 2011 - 5:02 pm EST

I see. I assume you're the director of NSC and have instructed or will soon instruct volunteers to be sure to know what to do with NC Zoo membership cards, as they've apparently not known in the past (as recently as 3 months ago). Good to be consistent. Thanks.

delamy

March 5, 2011 - 3:05 pm EST

I also went a few weeks ago and was allowed admittance to the NSC for half price, they do not offer free admission to AZA (Zoo society members) card holders.

in the schools

March 4, 2011 - 11:59 am EST

The NSC is a great thing for Greensboro. I was fortunate to attend the Bodies Revealed which was fantastic from not only a scientific and educational perspective but also, and perhaps even more so, from an artistic view. Truly an amazing experience. I understand the argument about price, and since I was with a school group and didn’t have to pay, I can’t wager an unbiased opinion. That being said, it was well worth, and I would have paid the $21 if needed. The Titanic exhibit is owned/promoted by the same company that owns/promotes the Bodies Revealed and it is actually their most famous exhibit. One correction on a previous post: the cost of a family membership is $75 for 2 adults and 2 kids. You can also add a “nanny pass” I think it’s called for $10 that can be used by an additional adult if they bring the kids--great idea for the Summer. I got all this from the website a few weeks ago so things may have changed. Check for yourself-- www.natsci.org

Panacea

March 4, 2011 - 5:04 pm EST

As a school group, my students got a reduced rate for Bodies Revealed. They thought it was a bargain since it also allowed them to visit the rest of the NSC for the rest of the day, including the zoo.

I take my niece and nephew at least once a year, and spend less for a whole day than I would to take them to the movies.

ItIsMe

March 5, 2011 - 9:00 am EST

It is a great place, but they are slow with the membership cards. They cashed my check weeks ago but haven't sent me my cards yet. I want my cards! I wanted to go there today!

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