Exhibit Press Kit

Press Release
Exhibit Webpage

Science Up Close, a dynamic exhibition series, showcases the Florida Museum of Natural History’s research and collections in a whole new way. Take a look behind the scenes, interact with scientists while they work and explore some of the Museum’s coolest specimens to discover why they are relevant for people today.

In the second themed installment, Incredible Insects, encounter insect specimens and fossils, a live bug zoo, and an immersive multimedia experience. With an estimated 5.5 million species, insects are the most diverse group of animals on the planet. Learn how these extremely valuable creatures impact our lives and culture, from the food we eat to the plants around us. Engage one on one with Florida Museum and University of Florida entomologists in the working lab and learn about all they do! Visitors will have opportunities to encounter live bugs from Florida, view a busy ant colony at work and learn all about the insects that live among us. Relax in the library nook with games and books or see how you measure up against record-holding bugs. Live programming, touchable objects and interactive technology offer engaging experiences for all ages.

Admission:

• $7 for adults
• $6.50 for Fla. residents, seniors & non-UF college students
• $4.50 for children ages 3-17
• $3 for Electronic Benefit Transfer recipient cardholders
• Free for UF students with valid Gator 1 card, Museum members and children 2 and under

High resolution versions of each image with captions are available for download below.

Live encounters with native insects, like this lubber grasshopper, await guests in the “Science Up Close: Incredible Insects” exhibit. ©Florida Museum/Jeff Gage

Live encounters with native insects, like this grasshopper, await guests in the “Science Up Close: Incredible Insects” exhibit. ©Florida Museum/Jeff Gage

A blue calamintha bee. ©Florida Museum/Kristen Grace

Guests can meet entomologists, researchers, students and other scientists to learn about the work they do in the “Science Up Close: Incredible Insects” exhibit. ©Florida Museum/©Florida Museum/Jeff Gage

Interactive experiences showcase how researchers study insects in the field, like a digital light sheet that illustrates how nocturnal bugs are observed and captured. ©Florida Museum/Kristen Grace

Take a selfie in the special bug-themed photo nook. ©Florida Museum/Jeff Gage

Check out a variety of objects and specimens from the Florida Museum’s and UF Entomology and Nematology Department’s collections. ©Florida Museum/Jeff Gage

Gain a new appreciation for insects by stepping into a larger-than-life 270-degree theater with high-resolution macro images showcasing their beauty and diversity. ©Florida Museum/Jeff Gage

Museum objects, like this pitcher plant diorama, showcase the often-unseen world of insects and their ecological importance. ©Florida Museum/Jeff Gage