The Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) offers a March lineup that spans the globe. Visitors can reflect on our environmental footprint through the ATACAMA aerial photography exhibition or test their wits in our new, immersive Sleuths & Secrets escape room style adventures. The month also features a “genius” and tasty Pi Day celebration at HMNS at Sugar Land, and a hands-on CSI: Blood Spatter forensics class. From environmental art to crime-scene science, HMNS offers a diverse world of exploration for every curious mind this month.

Exhibition: ATACAMA

HMNS Hermann Park | Now through Wednesday, August 26

Renewable Energy and Mining in the High Deserts of Chile

ATACAMA, a seminal exhibition by photographer Jamey Stillings, explores the evolving nexus between renewable energy and mining in Chile’s Atacama Desert. Through his distinctive aerial perspectives, Stillings captures dramatic large-scale energy projects, vast mining operations, and the stark natural beauty of a desert often scarred by human activity.

Why are Chile and the Atacama Desert significant? The copper and lithium in our computers, cars, and smartphones likely come from Chile. As the global leader in copper production and the second-largest producer of lithium, Chile’s environmental practices are directly tied to our daily lives.

Stillings’ interest in the human-altered landscape and his environmental concerns are principal pillars of his work. His imagery elicits a critical dialogue about meeting society’s needs and desires while seeking an equilibrium between nature and human activity. ATACAMA shows how photography can serve as a source of inspiration, motivation, and information, while reminding us that a carbon-constrained future is crucial to a responsible, sustainable approach to life on Earth.

Please Note:

Access to this exhibition is included with admission to HMNS Permanent Exhibit Halls.

Event: Sleuths & Secrets

HMNS Hermann Park | Now Available for Booking

A most curious, mind-tingling late night adventure at HMNS.

Are you good at solving mysteries? Can you untangle a web of clues, evidence, history and mystery? Are you looking for an out-of-the-ordinary adventure for you and your family, friends, co-workers or group? Then HMNS Sleuths & Secrets is for you! It all starts when you unlock a series of clues, riddles and objects found in a one of our HMNS Hermann Park exhibit halls for an escape room style experience. We currently have two options listed below to choose from!

In the Morian Cabinet Of Curiosities, you can explore the hall belonging to Ferrante Imperato, a 16th Century resident of Naples, Italy. While many believe he was merely an apothecary who liked to display his collections of unusual specimens, others speculate that in reality he was a dedicated alchemist. Did he solve the mysteries of transformation? Did he, in fact, turn a lowly base metal into pure gold? Will his specimens lead you to a hidden treasure?

In the Hall of Ancient Egypt, can you save the paranoid archeologist from the famed curse of the Mummy? After the discovery of King Tut’s Tomb in 1922 the media popularized the idea of ancient Egyptian curses. Egyptomania swept the globe! Can you escape the curse of the mummy and save the world while working together through puzzles and clues left behind by the archeologist who triggered the curse? Perfect for Young Professionals, family reunions, birthday parties, scout groups, teams, science clubs, student councils, sorority and fraternity councils and friends. Great for corporate team-building!

Egypt Education at HMNS is generously supported by Apache Corporation.

Event: Pi Day

HMNS at Sugar Land | Saturday, March 14 | 10:00 am – 2:00 p.m.

Pi is an irrational number, but there’s nothing crazy about celebrating Math (and Einstein’s birthday). Welcome to Pi Day during Spring Break and learn how Pi is all around us. 

Indulge your inner geek with fun math-related activities on this special date—3.14! We’ll even have pi (with an “e”!) to munch on. It’s a genius idea!

Event: Class – CSI: Blood Spatter

HMNS Hermann Park | Wednesday, March 25 | 6:30 p.m.

Delve into the world of forensics. Explore the techniques crime scene investigators use to collect and examine blood spatter evidence. In addition to the classroom presentation, this hands-on class offers you the opportunity to perform blood spatter experiments and pattern examinations in order to better understand the science.

Class taught by Kat Havens, Director of Curriculum and Content.

Ages 15+ NO EXCEPTIONS. All minors must be accompanied by a ticketed adult. No refunds.

Eligible for CPE credit.

For more information and to sea full schedule of events and exhibitions, please visit hmns.org.