January 25, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Susan Trien, 585-410-6359, strien@museumofplay.org

Secrets of Circles Family Programs
at Strong National Museum of Play®
February through May

Round and round and round you’ll go! Have a ball going round and round in circles at a variety of fun family events presented during the run of the new Secrets of Circles exhibit, which opens Saturday, February 17 at Strong National Museum of Play®. The exhibit celebrates the math, science, beauty, and engineering of this simple shape at 18 lively interactive stations. Special events include an opening weekend celebration, February School-Break family fun, and Circle Saturdays throughout the run of the show. Details follow:

Secrets of Circles Opening Weekend Celebration
Saturday, February 17, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and
Sunday, February 18, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
The Bubble Guy will blow you away with performances of “Circles & Soap, Bubbles & Balls,” “Bubblemania” and “Bubbling, Juggling, and Mime” on Saturday at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 p.m. and on Sunday at 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 p.m.

Secrets of Circles February School-Break Week
Monday, February 19 through Friday, February 23
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Watch as an intricate and colorful sand mandala is created right before your eyes. (The sand mandala is an ancient, unique art created in the shape of a circle. Look for beautiful patterns to emerge!) The Venerable Tenzin Yignyen, an ordained Tibetan Buddhist monk, will work on the mandala on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. He will conduct a brief opening ceremony on Monday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m. and a special dismantling ceremony on Friday, February 23 at 4:00 p.m. (As part of the ancient art, mandalas are ceremonially dismantled upon their completion.)

A less traditional art form will be demonstrated by local artist Patrick Doyle who will create spheres out of popsicle sticks, pencils, license plates, and more. You won’t want to miss his Geodesic Morphling—a whimsical toy made out of circles.

Kids and families can also join in circle crafts, including spirograph art, connectthe- dots, dot art, and spin art.

Circle Saturdays
Every Saturday, March 3 through May 5
Join one of our resident “ringmasters” for a variety of hands-on demonstrations and experiments, sing alongs, movement activities, and circle games in conjunction with the Secrets of Circles exhibit.

The Secrets of Circles exhibit remains at Strong National Museum of Play® through May 6, 2007.

Secrets of Circles was created and is circulated by the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose and is made possible with major funding from the National Science Foundation and corporate support from KPMG, Fujitsu, Computer Products of America, and Marvell Semiconductor. A host of notable museum professionals, math and science academics, and development psychologists served on the project’s National Advisory Committee.

Strong National Museum of Play®, located in downtown Rochester, New York, is the only museum in the world devoted to the study of play as it illuminates American popular culture.

Hours (Beginning September 5, 2006):
Monday–Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.;
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
Admission Fees
General Admission (does not include Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden™):
Adults $9.00; Seniors $8.00; Children (2–17) $7.00; Children younger than two free; Strong members free.
Admission to Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden™:
General Admission fee plus $3.00 per person for members and nonmembers; Children younger than two free.
Due to limited capacity, entry to Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden™ is by timed tickets only. Advance purchase is recommended. Please call 585-263-2700 to purchase timed tickets.