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 Calendar of Events
SEPTEMBER—Climate Change
We’ve all heard that burning fossil fuels like coal and oil increases carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other gases in the atmosphere. Scientists believe these greenhouse gases are causing Earth’s surface temperature to rise, contributing to global warming.
Discover how Field Museum scientists study the effects that these atmospheric changes have on the diversity and survival of life on Earth.
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 FEATURED SCIENTIST
Jennifer McElwain, Ph.D.
Geology Department
Curator, Fossil Plants
Fossil plants allow paleobotanist Jennifer McElwain to reconstruct the Earth’s past climate—from 400 million years ago to the present. By studying the shape and size of a fossilized leaf, she can determine the average temperature and precipitation of the atmosphere in which it grew. By looking at the number of stomata, or tiny pores, on its surface, she can determine the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere at the time.
Utilizing the more than 80,000 fossil plants in The Field Museum’s collections, McElwain is looking at how levels of atmospheric CO2 have changed over time—and how these atmospheric changes have affected Earth’s biodiversity.
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PUBLIC PROGRAMS
| Sun, Sept. 21 |
Kick-off Day: The Year of Biodiversity and Conservation
Opening Day for new exhibition “Polar Thaw”
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| 8:45 a.m. |
Race to Stop Global Warming
For All Ages
Adults $; 18 & under, $12; children’s events, free
Pre-registration Required
Arvey Field adjacent to The Field Museum
Put on your walking or running shoes and come out to show your support for a cleaner and cooler planet. Race to Stop Global Warming is the environment’s premier awareness raising series of 15K & 8K runs and 5K fitness walks. Sponsored nationally by Nike, Toyota, and Aveda, the event will be held in eight cities in 2003 including Chicago, where it is being presented in partnership with The Field Museum.
The event kicks off at Grant Park’s Arvey Field, just next to The Field Museum at Roosevelt Road and Columbus Drive and connected to Chicago’s Museum Campus by a pedestrian underpass.
More than a walk and run, Race to Stop Global Warming is an event that brings together thousands of people who are ready to do what it takes to preserve our planet. Awards will be presented to top contestants in main events. Children’s fun run, toddler trot, and diaper dash are free. For more information, including details about registration deadlines and requirements, visit www.racetostopglobalwarming.org or phone 866-STOP-CO2.
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| 10 a.m. |
Lincoln Park High School Choir Performance
Adult and Family Program
Free with Museum Admission
American folk songs are featured in this wonderful choral performance.
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| 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Gallery Program: “Renewable Energy Carts”
Adult and Family Program
Free with Museum Admission
Play the Energy Game and learn about alternative and renewable sources of energy, like the sun. |
| 10 a.m. – 2 p.m |
Foundation Theater Group Performance
Adult and Family Program
Free with Museum Admission
An interactive production, this performance features 10 costumed characters representing plants and animals from wetlands and prairies. |
| 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Scientists at the Field: Surangi Punyasena and Michael Fortwangler
Adult and Family Program
Free with Museum Admission
Stanley Field Hall
Paleobotany graduate researchers Surangi Punyasena (University of Chicago) and Michael Fortwangler (Northwestern University) will have fossil plants on display and talk about their research on how changing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide have influenced the Earth’s plant life. |
| 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Artists at The Field
Family Program
$10, members $8
Registration Required (312) 665-7400
Bring your art supplies and join other visual artists and scientific illustrators to sketch or paint endangered species displayed throughout The Field Museum.
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| 2 p.m. |
Lecture: “Expedition to Greenland”
Featured Scientist Dr. Jennifer McElwain
Adult and Family Program
Free with Museum Admission
Featured scientist Jennifer McElwain will show slides and talk about her recent National Geographic Society-funded expedition to Greenland, where she and colleagues collected 200-million-year-old plant fossils to learn more about a major extinction event in the Earth’s history.
The fossils date back to a geological time period known as the Triassic-Jurassic boundary, when 95 percent of all plant species and 70 percent of coral reefs disappeared.
Researchers have shown that rapid increases in the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide contributed to this mass extinction—a time when global temperatures rose by 42 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit greater than the present!
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Year-round
Thursday & Fridays
12:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday
11:30 a.m.
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Gallery Tour—All Things Living: Explore Biodiversity
All Ages
Free with Museum Admission
Explore fragile ecosystems as you learn about Field Museum scientist’s latest research.
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FEATURED EXHIBITION
 Polar Thaw: Global Warming in the Artic and Antarctic
This spectacular photographic exhibition features over 30 striking photos focusing on the environmental consequences of a steadily warming Earth—the result of rising concentrations of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gasses in the atmosphere.
Award-wining photographer Gary Braasch’s beautiful images show the effects on these icy landscapes and their inhabitants, including polar bears, caribou, penguins, and people.
Open September 21 – November 16, 2003.
This exhibitions was developed by Gary Braasch in collaboration with The Field Museum and with the support of the Natural Resources Defence Council. Local support has been provided by the City of Chicago, Richard M. Daley, Mayor and Department of Environment, N. Marcia Jimenez, Commissioner.
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Introduction | Investigate Biodiversity | YBC | Meet the Scientist | Explore Global Diversity | Events and Programs | Take Action! | Teaching Biodiversity | Biodiversity Exhibition | Credits
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