International Archaeologist to Visit Science Center of Iowa

Tavares will spend a week in Des Moines interacting with schools, members and the public

For Immediate Release — Tuesday, January 24, 2012

DES MOINES, IA: International Archaeologist and Egyptologist Ana Tavares will visit the Science Center of Iowa and Blank IMAX Dome Theater (SCI) February 15-18 as part of a new Scientist in Residence program.

Tavares, Joint Field-Director of the Ancient Egypt Research Associates (AERA), helped develop SCI's current traveling exhibition, Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science. During her time in Des Moines, Tavares will interact with schools, lead workshops for educators and members, present a special Café Scientifique and provide the keynote address at SCI’s Girls in Science Event.

“The Science Center of Iowa strives to provide unique opportunities for the community to engage and explore fields of science and technology,” said SCI’s President & CEO Art Wittmack. “We are thrilled to have Ana Tavares as our inaugural Scientist in Residence. Her experiences in Egypt provide a unique opportunity for the community to learn first-hand about the fascinating career of archaeology.”

Originally from Lisbon, Portugal, Tavares studied Egyptology at University College in London. She began excavating in Egypt in 1987. Tavares has worked at the Giza Plateau with the AERA team since 2002 and is currently co-field director of the Lost City of the Pyramid Builders site.

Public Programming

Opportunities for the public to interact with Tavares, hear about her experience excavating in Egypt and learn about a career in the field of archaeology include:

Café Scientifique – February 17
SCI’s monthly event series engages Central Iowa's adult learning community in contemporary science. In Tavares presentation, “Excavating for Information: Uncovering Egypt,” she will discuss the latest findings at the Giza Plateau site. Cafe Scientifque, presented by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, is free and open to the public.

Following the presentation, Tavares will lead behind-the-scenes tours of Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science. Space is limited for the tours, which cost $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Reservations can be made via email at cafesci@sciowa.org or by calling (515) 274-6868 ext. 234.

Girls in Science Event – February 18
SCI’s new Girls in Science Initiative aims to empower and equip girls in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in order to promote girls’ early engagement in STEM, encourage pursuit of these careers and develop a diverse workforce for the 21st century.

The Girls in Science Event will allow girls the chance to explore the many careers and opportunities for them in science, technology, engineering and math, and celebrate the many women scientists in the community. Tavares will provide the keynote presentation at this event and will educate attendees about careers in archaeology. The Girls in Science Event and Tavares’s presentation are free with SCI admission.

The Science Center of Iowa is an official SciGirls® museum. Based on the best practices in STEM education for girls, SciGirls’ videos, online resources, hands-on activities and professional development work together to address a singular but powerful goal: to inspire, enable and maximize STEM learning and participation for all girls, encouraging greater interest in these careers.

SciGirls is produced for PBS by National Productions and is made possible by the National Science Foundation. Additional support by ExxonMobil.

For additional details on SCI’s Girls in Science program, visit www.sciowa.org/girlsinscience.

For more information about the Scientist in Residence program, visit www.sciowa.org/scientistinresidence.

Theater for live performances, the 50-foot domed Star Theater for planetarium shows and the 216-seat Blank IMAX Dome Theater for engaging films. SCI’s Iowa Learning Center cultivates ties to formal education through educational resources for educators and students, the NAEYC-accredited SCI Preschool, as well as a statewide outreach program.

International Archaeologist to Visit Science Center of Iowa

About the Science Center of Iowa & Blank IMAX Dome Theater

The Science Center of Iowa is a 110,000-sq. ft facility devoted to lifelong learning, featuring dynamic experience platforms and daily interactive demonstrations with SCI staff for visitors to explore and experiment. By placing the power of learning in the hands of the visitor, the programmatic emphasis is not on "what" to learn, but "how" to learn. SCI also features the 175-seat John Deere Adventure Theater for live performances, the 50-foot domed Star Theater for planetarium shows and the 216-seat Blank IMAX Dome Theater for engaging films. SCI’s Iowa Learning Center cultivates ties to formal education through educational resources for educators and students, the NAEYC-accredited SCI Preschool, as well as a statewide outreach program.

Media

International Archaeologist to Visit Science Center of Iowa

Ana Tavares, Joint Field-Director of the Ancient Egypt Research Associates (AERA), helped develop SCI's current traveling exhibition, Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science.