EXHIBITS

MEASUREMENT  RULES  – Opens March 11!

Through May7

Learn the language of measurement and work with others to become a measuring wizard! Measurement is an essential part of our lives, but not always easy to understand. Gauge height, distance, mass and time using traditional and not-so-traditional tools and units. Sponsored by PA Leadership Charter Schools.

Opening Weekend Activities – Saturday, March 11, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Abacus Making – Join us for the opening weekend of our new exhibit and experience firsthand how MEASUREMENT RULES by creating your own abacus.

Pi Day – Tuesday, March 14, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Button Making –Celebrate the power of 3.14159265 by creating your own wearable piece of flare. Use scraps of paper and your own imagination to create one of a kind buttons inspired by all things Pi.

ICE  STATION  ZEBRA

Through May 28

This project entertains, informs and engages children across geographical, political and historical borders in creative play on the topic of the Cold War.

It consists of three theatrical sets:

• A three-chambered U.S. Submarine 509 in the Museum’s Theater
• A reconstructed ice station in Kirkenes, Norway
• The relocated ice station at the Nikel Art Center in Russia

All three sites will be connected via an original spy gadget, the ZebraCom, which will come online in mid-March 2017.  With maximum potential for sneaking, lurking, surprising and chatting, the project flips the conventional logic that spying is bad, and shows that spying can be fun, friendly and intelligent.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS & EVENTS

All programs and events are free with Museum admission unless otherwise indicated.

Guest Artisans: Society for Creative Anachronism Fiber Guild

March 5, Noon – 3:00 pm

The BMDL Fiber Guild is a part of the Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands, a local group of the Society for Creative Anachronism, an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating skills of pre-seventeenth century Europe. The group is enthusiastic about all aspects of fiber arts in the middle ages, from spinning and felting to weaving and embroidery! The artisans will demonstrate medieval weaving techniques. They’ll also show how to make fabric used to make clothes along with trim to decorate them and the way to make stretchy fabric without the help of today’s tools and technology.

Live Music: Lee Robinson

Friday, March 10, Noon – 1:00 pm

Enjoy live jazz music throughout the museum by saxophonist, Lee Robinson. Robinson has been an active participant on the Pittsburgh Jazz scene for over 30 years. Performing on the clarinet since the age 9 set Lee on the path of improvisation. Lee concentrates his energy in playing tenor and soprano saxophones, which he considers his musical “voices.”

National Plant a Flower Day

Sunday, March 12, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Celebrate the coming of spring and National Plant a Flower Day by planting a garden of your own to take home, care for and watch grow.

Sensory Friendly Afternoon

Tuesday, March 14, 1:00 – 5:00 pm

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Sensory Sensitivities can enjoy a fun, friendly experience in a comfortable and accepting environment. Announcement and exhibit sound volume will be reduced, and sound reducing headphones will be available.

Special programming includes:

• 2-3pm Meet and greet in the Art Studio, with a musician from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra – listen to music, learn about being a musician, and meet Fiddlesticks, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s feline musical ambassador! (Fiddlesticks the cat is pictured above.)

Regular admission rates apply. Learn more about accessibility at the Museum and download a guide to help prepare for your visit. Contact us with any questions or for more information.

Studio Programs

To celebrate the opening of the Museum’s newest exhibit, Measurement Rules, the Art Studio will explore the countless ways we use measurement in art!

Drawing Perspective

Wednesday – Friday, March 1 – 3

How do you show size, scale, and distance in a 2D form? Come on down to the Studio and try your hand at drawing perspective.

Play with clay on the Pottery Wheel

Friday, March 3, 2:00 – 3:30 pm

Work one on one with a ceramic artist and learn the art of clay on our accessible pottery wheel. Sessions are 15 minutes. Artwork will be ready to pick up in three weeks. Your final product will be food, microwave and dishwasher safe. All ages welcome! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited. Sign up begins in the Gift Shop at 10:00 am on the day of the program. Included with Museum admission.

Patterns

Monday – Friday, March 6 – 10

A pattern is a decorative design that repeats over and over again! Join us as we explore different forms of pattern making!

HANDBUILDING WITH CLAY

Friday, March 10, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Join our ceramic artist to learn the art of Handbuilding in this unique small group format. Explore clay while creating your very own ceramic masterpiece. 30 minute sessions begin at 2pm and 2:30pm. Artwork will be ready to pick up in three weeks. All ages welcome! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Included with Museum admission. Space is limited. Sign up begins in the Gift Shop at 10:00am on the day of the program.

Paper Planes

Saturday & Sunday, March 11 & 12

Try your hand at making a paper plane. There are many different ways you can fold, cut and tear paper to help it soar through the air. Try your paper plane out on our run way and watch it go the distance.

Maps

Monday – Friday, March 13 – 17

Explore map making all week long in the Studio. Make a map of the room, your house, your favorite place – real or imaginary.

MAKESHOP Programs

This March, join MAKESHOP Teaching Artists and Educators as they explore making around the theme of Measurement.

Scratch

Wednesday & Thursday, March 1 – 2

Computers are very good at doing the same thing over and over again, exactly the same way – but they need directions! Explore, play and create programming using apps like Scratch. Scratch is a program developed by MIT which is an introductory, kid-friendly programming language that allows users to create interactive games and stories.

Weaving

Saturday & Sunday, March 4 – 5

People around the world have found ways to make useful objects by weaving flexible things together: strings, reeds, found materials, all kinds of things! Come by MAKESHOP to see different styles of looms and weaving, and work on a small project of your own or contribute to a larger, collaborative scarf that will stay in our exhibit space.

Scale, Tiny and Large

Wednesday – Saturday, March 8 – 11

Experiment with size and scale. Use rulers and recycled materials to create a model, reconstruct large things small and small things large! What will you measure? And how will you build it?

Woodworking

Monday – Thursday, March 13 -16

Explore wood and its properties. Join us as we learn more about ways to change, shape and manipulate wood- using real tools! This activity is free and there are no age restrictions. Adults must accompany children and participants of all ages are expected to follow safety guidelines.

Early Childhood Programs

Recommended for children 5 years old and younger, Tot programs are growing with both morning and afternoon options to best suit your needs – and all are free with Museum admission. Check the Calendar of Events for the weekly theme. Click here to learn about all of our TOTS Programs. 

STORY TIME: Studio

Wednesdays, 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Join us as we read stories and create art together in our multimedia art Studio. Afterward, let your creative vision loose and learn new art forms through open-ended art activities.

STORY TIME: MAKESHOP

Thursdays, 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm 

Join us in MAKESHOP as we read stories and work on making things together.

TOT MOVES

Thursdays, 11:30 am – Noon

Start Moving! Designed to bring out each child’s creative side, tots dance, play and express themselves through a variety of movement and music activities. Join us in the Nursery for this special program for toddlers 18 months through 3 years old. Sessions are free with Museum Admission.

TOT SPOT 

Monday – Wednesday, 11:00 am – Noon; Fridays, 2:00 pm – 2:30pm

This weekly program for toddlers and their care givers help children learn through play and hands-on activities.  Join us in the Nursery as we explore, tinker, sing, dance and enjoy a story time inspired by each week’s theme. Included with Museum admission.

• I Spy…: Wed. March 1 (11:00am)
• Tunes ‘n Tales: Wed. March 1 (2:00pm)
• Nature Collage, Mon. March 6 (11:00am)

HOURS, PRICES & LOCATION

Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm

Admission Prices: $14 for children 2-18 and senior citizens, $16 for adults. Children under two are free.

All programs and events are free with Museum admission unless otherwise indicated.

Parking: $4 for members, $6 for non-members. On-street, metered parking is also available.

Children’s Museum Pittsburgh is located at 10 Children’s Way, Allegheny Square on Pittsburgh’s historic North Side. For more information, please call (412) 322-5058 or visit, www.pittsburghkids.org.