February events at Cranbrook Institute of Science include a lecture by University of Michigan Professor Henry Pollack and a Celebration of Darwin’s Birthday.

Henry Pollack Ph. D., U of M Professor and co-winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize will discuss his most current research on climate change and his book, A World Without Ice, at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 12 at Cranbrook Institute of Science. Pollack has been a professor of geophysics at the University of Michigan for more than forty years, travels regularly to Antarctica and was recently at the Copenhagen Energy Summit. He offers a compelling look at the delicate balance between ice and climate, and what the consequences of its disappearance could be. A book signing will follow.

Pollack’s Artology sponsored lecture is free with admission but seating in the auditorium at the Institute of Science is limited to 195 and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Artology: the fusion of Art and Science at Cranbrook, is a collaborative between Cranbrook Institute of Science and Cranbrook Art Museum.  The lecture also complements Cranbrook’s current exhibitions  “Cape Farewell: Art & Climate Change” and “The Changing Earth.” The Cape Farewell project is widely acknowledged to be the most significant sustained artistic response to climate change anywhere in the world and features video, photographic, sculptural and mixed media installations. The Changing Earth immerses the visitor in climate changes across time through fossils and a living coral reef. 

Cranbrook Institute of Science commemorates Charles Darwin’s 201st birthday as part of its Second Saturday Series of free science activities on February 13 from 1-4 p.m. 

Hands-on study and games will include the chance to examine skull castings of some of the most important specimens in the story of human evolution and see and handle the museum’s recently acquired 3.6 billion year old fossils –the earth’s oldest known.  In addition “Freaky Beaks,” offers a game of matching bird beaks with their probable food type based on structure and function.

Institute Geologist John Zawiskie will address Darwin’s concern about the apparent lack of fossils in the Earth’s old Precambrian rock layers at a 2:30 lecture. Darwin considered this inexplicable and a valid argument against his theory of evolution.  Zawiskie will review the evolutionary research of the last 50 years and what scientists have learned about the Precambrian fossil record to reveal the solution to Darwin’s dilemma. 

Second Saturday Science activities are free with admission to the Institute of Science. 

Please note. On Friday, February 19, the Institute of Science will be closed to the public for a private function until 5 p.m. in the evening after which it will be open until 10 p.m.

Cranbrook Institute of Science is located at 39221 Woodward Avenue in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Cranbrook Institute of Science is open daily 10am-5pm with extended hours on Friday until 10pm. Museum admission is $9.50 adults, $7.50 children 2-12 and senior citizens (65+); children under 2 and members admitted free. Friday evening admission 5-10pm, $5.50 Adults, $4.50 children ages 2-12 and seniors 65+, children under 2 and Members are free.  Planetarium and bat program tickets are $4 general admission; $3 for CIS and OBC members; $1 for children under 2.  Non-members must also pay museum admission. For more information about becoming a member of Cranbrook Institute of Science call 248 645.3200 or visit http://science.cranbrook.edu.

The exhibition “Cape Farewell: Art & Climate Change” was created in partnership with the Natural History Museum, London. The exhibition is now embarking on a world tour with Barbican Touring Arts. The presentation at Cranbrook is its North American première.