Carnival-style exhibit now open at Museum of Nature & Science. Fun carnival games + basic math principles = the new Math Midway exhibit at the Museum of Nature & Science. The fair-inspired, highly-interactive show opened January 22, 2011 and runs through May 10.

1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Jennifer Whitus,
Communications Manager
214-426-4629
jwhitus@natureandscience.org
Math Midway Adds Fun to Learning
Carnival-style Exhibit Now Open at Museum of Nature & Science
DALLAS, Texas (January 24, 2010) – Fun carnival games + basic math principles =
the new Math Midway exhibit at the Museum of Nature & Science. The fair-inspired,
highly-interactive show opened January 22, 2011 and runs through May 10.
Math Midway is made up of several brightly-colored tents, each featuring a math-
based game, skill test or craft. A tricycle with square wheels, adjustable fun-house
mirrors and a ring of “fire” (that’s actually lasers) are among the exhibit highlights. A
monkey on a tightrope teaches number groups, while an organ grinder demonstrates
functional math through music – just a few examples of the games Math Midway has to
offer. Every activity is designed to teach and demonstrate basic math skills such as
geometry, probabilities and number systems.
“If people tend to think of math as boring and dull, this exhibit will be a mind-
changing experience for them!” says Steve Hinkley, director of education for the
Museum of Nature & Science. “Math Midway demonstrates math entirely through its
application – more specifically, mathematics is experienced through a series of hands-on
games that reveal a different - FUN - side of the discipline. In order to understand
science more fully, math needs to be understood. Therefore, we believe it’s important to
engage visitors in math and to show them it can useful and enjoyable. Math Midway is
accomplishes this wonderfully.”
(cont.)

2. (Math Midway, page 2)
The exhibit opened with a special party for Museum members and supporters on
Saturday, January 22. In keeping with the carnival theme, the event featured clowns, face
painting and balloon animals as well as free hot dogs and popcorn.
Math Midway is presented by Texas Instruments and has been brought to the DFW
Metroplex in partnership with Sci-Tech Discovery Center in Frisco.
“At Texas Instruments, we focus, work and invest to improve math and science
education, and this exhibit is a great fit for that,” said Andy Smith, TI’s director of
corporate philanthropy. “This unique collaboration between the Sci-Tech Discovery
Center and the Museum of Nature & Science will get students excited about math and
improve their math skills. We’re glad to be part of making this happen.”
The Math Midway exhibit is also made possible through sponsorship by Time
Warner Cable, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
“Time Warner Cable is excited to partner with the Museum of Nature & Science to
bring the fun and interactive Math Midway exhibit to students and parents in our local
community,” says Gary Underwood, vice president of communications for Time Warner
Cable in North Texas. “We are proud to support organizations that share our vision of
inspiring students to pursue education and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering
and Math (STEM).”
“Raytheon is thrilled to be a part of Math Midway. Math can be fun and obviously
has applications beyond the classroom,” says Scott Whatmough, Raytheon NCS’ vice
president of engineering and technology. “I’m happy Raytheon is able to help students
see just how exciting math can be.”
“Lockheed Martin is honored to help address a critical national priority by
supporting Math Midway,” said Hannah Stone, community relations manager for
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “It is vital that we continue to improve math
and science education by working with students throughout our communities.”
(cont.)

3. (Math Midway, page 3)
Admission to Math Midway is free with the purchase of a general admission ticket to
the Museum of Nature & Science. Regular general exhibit admission is $10 for adults
18-61; $9 for seniors 62+ and students 12-17; $7 for children 2-11; children under 2 are
free; MNS members of all ages are admitted for free.
Advance tickets are currently available online or at any MNS box office during
regular Museum hours (Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m.)
Math Midway is a traveling exhibit that will be on display in the Museum of Nature
& Science’s Nature Building at 3535 Grand Ave. in Fair Park through May 10, 2011.
Further information is available by calling 214-428-5555 or visiting
www.natureandscience.org.
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About the Museum of Nature & Science
The Museum of Nature & Science – the result of a unique merger in 2006 between the
Dallas Museum of Natural History, The Science Place and the Dallas Children's Museum
– is an AAM- accredited non-profit educational organization located in Dallas's Fair
Park. In support of its mission to inspire minds through nature and science, the museum
delivers exciting, engaging and innovative visitor experiences through its education,
exhibition, and research and collections programming for children, students, teachers,
families and life-long learners. The facility also includes the TI Founders IMAX® Theater
and a cutting-edge digital planetarium. The Museum of Nature & Science is supported in
part by funds from the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, the Texas Commission
on the Arts and HP. The Museum of Nature & Science also is building a new $185-
million museum on a 4.7-acre site in Victory Park to complement the Fair Park facilities.
To learn more about the Museum of Nature & Science, please visit natureandscience.org.