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Museum events

To get regular updates about the latest events and exhibitions, sign up to The Polar Museum monthly e-newsletter.

Please contact us for details of hiring the museum as an event venue.

See also the archive of previous events.

	Bridging Binaries: LGBTQ+ tours Saturdays at 2pm from 19 January - 26 February - Sold Out From same-sex behaviour among penguins to eroticism in the ancient world, explore the spectrum of identities that exist across time, place and culture in the Polar Museum and three other University of Cambridge museums. Join our volunteer guides to discover their personal selection of fascinating stories of non-normative gender and sexual identities through a range of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-related objects. Book your free place and find out about LGBTQ+ tours at other University of Cambridge Museums.
	Operation Survival Selected Saturdays 20 October – 23 March, 10am-12.30pm Take part in a high-energy game about survival across four University of Cambridge Museums with Fire Hazard Games. To face a world in crisis, a competition has been set to create the Foundation for the Future, which could help humanity survive the many challenges facing the environment in the coming years. With cryptic clues and roaming characters your team will have to be curious, cooperative and clever to come out on top with just your mobile phones to help you. Operation Survival is designed for adults (18+). No prior knowledge is required. You'll need to be comfortable moving around at walking pace for a couple of hours and one of you will need a smart phone. The game will run across the Polar Museum, The Museum of Zoology, Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences and Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Book your tickets here
	Teaching a Polar Project? FREE session suitable for teachers of KS1, KS2 or KS3 classes. Wednesday 20 February 2019 11am-1pm Are you looking for activity ideas and inspiration for your polar project? We can help with resources, information, multi-disciplinary ideas, handling collections and activities for your classroom. This session would also benefit teachers who have booked a self-guided visit to the Polar Museum. There will be a 20% discount at the shop for teachers attending the session. For more information or to book a place please contact schools@spri.cam.ac.uk
	Twilight at the Museums Wednesday 20 February 2019, 4.30-7.30 This February half-term, take a leap into the unknown and explore 14 local museums and collections after dark… Experience museums and collections in a different way, discover somewhere new, and unearth some remarkable objects. Twilight at the Museums is a FREE after-hours event for families where museums and collections across the city turn down the lights and open their doors for after-hours fun. With free, drop-in activities and themed trails across the venues, there is plenty for families to enjoy. Find out more on the University of Cambridge Museums page.
	Little Explorers Monday 11 March 2019, 10:00-11:00 and 11:15-12:15 A different Polar story each session with renowned storyteller Marion Leeper. The theme this month is Ice, ice fish and anti freeze. For under 5s only. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please note bookings open on 11 February 2019. Book for 10:00 session here Book for 11:00 session here Part of the University of Cambridge Science Festival, this special science session is free of charge.
	Discover Polar Science - Family Day Saturday 16 March, 10.30am- 3.30pm Join us for a day of discovery as we explore the amazing science from the coldest and harshest environments on Earth! Object handling, experiments and crafts all day and get the chance to meet intrepid polar scientists from the British Antarctic Survey Suitable for the whole family. Drop-in, for all ages. Part of the University of Cambridge Science Festival
	Polar Ocean: the dead end of plastic debris Tuesday, 19 March 2019 at 6 PM – 7:30 PM An estimated 80% of all the litter in our oceans is plastic, with a significant concentration of plastics debris in both polar oceans. The impact of this debris on the sensitive polar ecosystem could be profound. Join us for this fanscinating and highly relevant talk by Pelagic Marine Ecologist Dr Clara Manno from BAS as she explores the current research and existing situation in the polar regions. Suitable for ages 15+, spaces are free but must be booked in advance. NB Bookings open on 11 Feburary. Part of the University of Cambridge Science Festival
	Paradise Planet 6 April 2019, 11:00 and 14:00 Suitable for age: 7 – 11 Places must be booked in advance Running time: approx. 1 hour Q&A and meet the cast after the performance Paradise Planet is English Touring Opera's latest opera for children Paradise Planet is a collection of ocean stories for families and children. This world of musical mayhem follows the adventures of humans who live on the waves, and the animals that live beneath them. This interactive opera celebrates the awesome power of the ocean – but things are not all as they seem and the animals are in danger. As the stories collide it's up to us to save this magical world. This interactive performance uses song, live musicians and sound-design wizardry to show children that they have the power to change the world. Written by artists Hanbury & Groves, the opera is performed by a cast of 4 professional singers. The musical ensemble is cello, clarinet and keyboard. More information and book tickets here