These are the final press releases for the tour of the Science in the Stacks exhibits. This file is also available for download as a Word document at http://www.montshire.org/stacks/pr/docs

Feathers and Flight

HANOVER--Science museums and libraries offer different avenues to learning. A new collaboration between Montshire Museum of Science and The Howe Library in Hanover has resulted in a new program called Science in the Stacks, which draws on the strengths of each institution. The program introduces eight original tabletop exhibits to Howe Library patrons over the coming months. The first exhibit Feathers and Flight, which includes hands-on components and a collection of supporting materials selected by library staff, appears at the Howe from (dates here).

Feathers and Flight is an inquiry into how birds achieve flight. Videos of high-speed photography allow visitors to examine the subtle movements of bones, muscles, and feathers that together enable a bird to fly. A mounted specimen invites visitors to feel the structure of a wing (and to discover the degree to which a wing is composed mostly of lightweight feathers, not muscle or bone). Layered drawings of the structure of a bird's wing will reinforce this discovery, showing how the feathers, skin, muscles, and bones relate to each other.

Funding for this exhibit and related programs and materials is provided by a grant from The Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, DC. Montshire, along with eight library partners in the region, received a National Leadership Grant from IMLS last year, with The Howe Library of Hanover, N.H. as the principal collaborator. Other participating libraries include The Lyme Town Library in Lyme, N.H.; the Fiske Free Library in Claremont, N.H.; the Lebanon, N.H., Public Library; the Lathem Memorial Library in Thetford, Vt.; the Norwich, Vt., Public Library; The Richards Free Library in Newport, N.H. and the Tracy Memorial Library in New London, N.H. The eight exhibits, each a result of a library/Montshire collaboration, will rotate among all the participants, providing rich opportunities for families to learn more about science together.

-30-

Dividing Time

THETFORD--Science museums and libraries offer different avenues to learning. A collaboration between Montshire Museum of Science and the Lathem Memorial Library in Thetford has resulted in a new program called Science in the Stacks, which draws on the strengths of each institution. The program introduces eight original tabletop exhibits to Lathem Memorial Library patrons over the coming months. The first exhibit Dividing Time, which includes hands-on components and a collection of supporting materials selected by library staff, appears at the Lathem Library from (dates here).

Dividing Time introduces the concept of dividing time into small units. A pendulum swings, marking off seconds and minutes, but a visitor sees that their own heartbeat or other natural rhythms can just as easily be used to divide the passage of time. Participants will be able to compare the time units measured by their heartbeat with those of another visitor, and will be able to see how the second hand on a clock controlled by their own pulse rate measures time in a new way.

Funding for this exhibit and related programs and materials is provided by a grant from The Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, DC. Montshire, along with eight library partners in the region, received a National Leadership Grant from IMLS last year, with The Howe Library of Hanover, N.H. as the principal collaborator. Other participating libraries include Lyme Town Library in Lyme, N.H.; the Fiske Free Library in Claremont, N.H.; the Lebanon, N.H., Public Library; The Norwich, Vt., Public Library; The Richards Free Library in Newport, N.H. and the Tracy Memorial Library in New London, N.H. The eight exhibits, each a result of a library/Montshire collaboration, will rotate among all the participants, providing rich opportunities for families to learn more about science together.

-30-

Shapes in Structures

LYME--Science museums and libraries offer different avenues to learning. A new collaboration between Montshire Museum of Science and The Lyme Town Library has resulted in a new program called Science in the Stacks, which draws on the strengths of each institution. The program introduces eight original tabletop exhibits to Lyme Library patrons over the coming months. The first exhibit Shapes in Structures, which includes hands-on components and a collection of supporting materials selected by library staff, appears at the Lyme Town Library from (dates here).

Shapes in Structures shows how different geometric shapes are used in construction. Visitors will be able to assemble common shapes used in building trusses to discover how well they can hold their own shape, and are then invited to build a bridge utilizing some of the shapes to which they've been introduced.

Funding for this exhibit and related programs and materials is provided by a grant from The Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, DC. Montshire, along with eight library partners in the region, received a National Leadership Grant from IMLS last year, with The Howe Library of Hanover, N.H. as the principal collaborator. Other participating libraries include The Fiske Free Library in Claremont, N.H.; the Lebanon, N.H., Public Library; the Lathem Memorial Library in Thetford, Vt.; the Norwich, Vt., Public Library; The Richards Free Library in Newport, N.H. and the Tracy Memorial Library in New London, N.H. The eight exhibits, each a result of a library/Montshire collaboration, will rotate among all the participants, providing rich opportunities for families to learn more about science together.

-30-

The Colors of Light

CLAREMONT--Science museums and libraries offer different avenues to learning. A new collaboration between Montshire Museum of Science and The Fiske Free Library Claremont has resulted in a new program called Science in the Stacks, which draws on the strengths of each institution. The program introduces eight original tabletop exhibits to Fiske Free Library patrons over the coming months. The first exhibit The Colors of Light, which includes hands-on components and a collection of supporting materials selected by library staff, appears at The Fiske Free Library from (dates here).

The Colors of Light is an investigation into color filters. Visitors will see that color filters admit only certain parts of the light spectrum, and will learn how combinations of filters transmit only the colors that the filters pass in common. Visitors will be able to manipulate small colored filters to view both color chips and images presented on a light box, and will also be encouraged to use filters to view their surroundings and each other.

Funding for this exhibit and related programs and materials is provided by a grant from The Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, DC. Montshire, along with eight library partners in the region, received a National Leadership Grant from IMLS last year, with The Howe Library of Hanover, N.H. as the principal collaborator. Other participating libraries include the Lyme Town Library in Lyme, N.H.; the Lebanon, N.H., Public Library; the Lathem Memorial Library in Thetford, Vt.; the Norwich, Vt., Public Library; The Richards Free Library in Newport, N.H. and the Tracy Memorial Library in New London, N.H. The eight exhibits, each a result of a library/Montshire collaboration, will rotate among all the participants, providing rich opportunities for families to learn more about science together.

-30-

Plumb-Level-Square

NEWPORT--Science museums and libraries offer different avenues to learning. A new collaboration between Montshire Museum of Science and The Richards Free Library has resulted in a new program called Science in the Stacks, which draws on the strengths of each institution. The program introduces eight original tabletop exhibits to Richards Free Library patrons over the coming months. The first exhibit, Plumb-Level-Square, which includes hands-on components and a collection of supporting materials selected by library staff, appears at the Richards Free Library from (dates here).

Plumb-Level-Square looks at the physics and mathematics behind some simple measuring tools. A carpenter's level works because a bubble in liquid rises to the highest point, indicating horizontal. Conversely, gravity pulls the weight of a plumb bob precisely towards the center of the arch, indicating "true vertical." A carpenters square uses the properties of a right triangle to indicate a true 90-degree angle. Visitors will have objects to measure and parts to assemble their own angle-finders and levels.

Funding for this exhibit and related programs and materials is provided by a grant from The Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, DC. Montshire, along with eight library partners in the region, received a National Leadership Grant from IMLS last year, with The Howe Library of Hanover, N.H. as the principal collaborator. Other participating libraries include the Lyme Town Library in Lyme, N.H.; the Fiske Free Library in Claremont, N.H.; the Lebanon, N.H., Public Library; the Lathem Memorial Library in Thetford, Vt.; the Norwich, Vt., Public Library; and the Tracy Memorial Library in New London, N.H. The eight exhibits, each a result of a library/Montshire collaboration, will rotate among all the participants, providing rich opportunities for families to learn more about science together.

-30-

Quick as a Wink

NEW LONDON--Science museums and libraries offer different avenues to learning. A new collaboration between Montshire Museum of Science and the Tracy Memorial Library in New London has resulted in a program called Science in the Stacks, which draws on the strengths of each institution. The program introduces eight original tabletop exhibits to Tracy Library patrons over the coming months. The first exhibit Quick as a Wink, which includes hands-on components and a collection of supporting materials selected by library staff, appears at The Tracy Memorial Library from (dates here).

Quick as a Wink will invite visitors to test the speed with which they can respond to something they see and/or hear. Visitors will be able to measure and compare reaction times using their dominant and non-dominant hand. They'll also be able to measure reaction times when they hear and see the stimulus.

Funding for this exhibit and related programs and materials is provided by a grant from The Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, DC. Montshire, along with eight library partners in the region, received a National Leadership Grant from IMLS last year, with The Howe Library of Hanover, N.H. as the principal collaborator. Other participating libraries include the Lyme Town Library in Lyme, N.H.; the Fiske Free Library in Claremont, N.H.; the Lebanon, N.H., Public Library; the Lathem Memorial Library in Thetford, Vt.; the Norwich, Vt., Public Library; and The Richards Free Library in Newport, N.H. The eight exhibits, each a result of a library/Montshire collaboration, will rotate among all the participants, providing rich opportunities for families to learn more about science together.

-30-

Crankin' Rhythm

NORWICH--Science museums and libraries offer different avenues to learning. A collaboration between Montshire Museum of Science and the Norwich has resulted in a new program called Science in the Stacks, which draws on the strengths of each institution. The program introduces eight original tabletop exhibits to Tracy Memorial Library patrons over the coming months. The first exhibit Crankin' Rhythm, which includes hands-on components and a collection of supporting materials selected by library staff, appears at the library from (dates here).

Crankin' Rhythm shows the relationship between mathematical ratios and how they can be expressed as sounds. The exhibit features six wheels, which are turned by a hand crank. Pegs set into the rims of the wheels trigger sensors, which respond by emitting a sound or flash of light. Adjusting the position of pegs can change the rhythm of the sounds and lights.

Funding for this exhibit and related programs and materials is provided by a grant from The Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, DC. Montshire, along with eight library partners in the region, received a National Leadership Grant from IMLS last year, with The Howe Library of Hanover, N.H. as the principal collaborator. Other participating libraries include Lyme Town Library in Lyme, N.H.; the Fiske Free Library in Claremont, N.H.; the Lebanon, N.H., Public Library; the Lathem Memorial Library in Thetford, Vt.; and The Richards Free Library in Newport, N.H. The eight exhibits, each a result of a library/Montshire collaboration, will rotate among all the participants, providing rich opportunities for families to learn more about science together.

-30-

Resonance

LEBANON--Science museums and libraries offer different avenues to learning. A collaboration between Montshire Museum of Science and the Lebanon Public Library has resulted in a new program called Science in the Stacks, which draws on the strengths of each institution. The program introduces eight original tabletop exhibits to Lebanon Library patrons over the coming months. The first exhibit Resonance, which includes hands-on components and a collection of supporting materials selected by library staff, appears at the library from (dates here).

Resonance introduces the concept of resonance, the principle that applying small forces to an object at just the right time can result in large movements. A set of springy rods of varying lengths resonate according to the small forces gently applied by a visitor to an attached paddle.

Funding for this exhibit and related programs and materials is provided by a grant from The Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, DC. Montshire, along with eight library partners in the region, received a National Leadership Grant from IMLS last year, with The Howe Library of Hanover, N.H. as the principal collaborator. Other participating libraries include Lyme Town Library in Lyme, N.H.; the Fiske Free Library in Claremont, N.H.; the Lathem Memorial Library in Thetford, Vt.; and The Richards Free Library in Newport, N.H. The eight exhibits, each a result of a library/Montshire collaboration, will rotate among all the participants, providing rich opportunities for families to learn more about science together.

-30-