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Museum events

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

See also the archive of previous events.

	Meet the Author Book Signing FREE drop in session Saturday 22 September 2018 11am-1pm Author Joanna Grochowicz will be joining us to talk about her book 'Into the White'. Aimed at older children it tells the story of Scott's journey to the South Pole. Joanna will be signing copies of her book in the entrance hall. Come along and explore a selection of handling objects linked to the story on display in the museum.
	Operation Survival All Saturdays 20 October – 15 December, 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
	Little Explorers - A Symphony of Whales Monday 15 October, 10am & 11.15am sessions Bookings open at 11am on 24 September Join us for an interactive story of the Chukchi people that saved a group of stranded Beluga Whales in the Arctic. Story and craft activity with renowned storyteller Marion Leeper. For under 5s only. Children must be accompanied by an adult. This special Festival of Ideas session is free of charge. Book here for 10am session Book here for 11.15am session.
	How polar maps changed the way we view the World Thursday 18 October 2018, 6pm – 7.30pm Bookings open at 11am on 24 September Since the advent of space exploration, viewing planet Earth from Space has been an inseparable part of the way we imagine and make sense of our place in the universe. Join us for a talk by Dr Michael Bravo and discover how the cosmographers of the renaissance produced new ways of visualising the poles and the world. Drawing from his soon to be published book, North Pole, Michael Bravo explains for the first time the mystique behind polar maps and the idea that we can look down on the Earth from above. For ages 15+ Book here.
	Living in the Arctic: Family Day Saturday 20 October, 10.30am – 3.30pm Join us for a day exploring the Arctic and the animals and people that live there! Crafts and activities for all ages throughout the day as well as a chance to see live reindeer and find out about the people that live and work with them. Special guests from the Whipple Museum, the Museum of Zoology and the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology will be running exciting activities as well. Drop-in event. Please be aware there may be a queue to see the reindeer. Suitable for all ages.
	Teaching a Polar Project? FREE session suitable for teachers of KS1, KS2 or KS3 classes. Wednesday 24th October 2018 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. For more information or to book a place please contact schools@spri.cam.ac.uk
	Frankenstein: Extreme Read Saturday 27 October, 10am – 9pm Join us for our extreme read-a-thon of Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein. Sit back and close your eyes as our dedicated readers take you on an Arctic voyage, a journey across Europe and into the mind of a scientist unhinged! Experience the whole story, or just come along for your favourite section. The museum will be open late and we will also be bringing out Arctic objects from the museum's handling collection from 4pm. You are welcome to bring your own food and drink with you. A paid bar with drinks and snacks will be available from 4pm – 9pm. The read-a-thon will take place in the museum lecture theatre, so you may want to bring a cushion. Book your free place for section(s) of the novel here. Part 1: Introductory Letters and Chapters 1 & 2 10-11.30am Having encountered both the monster and Frankenstein in the Arctic, the story of Frankenstein begins… Part 2: Chapters 3-6 11.30am-1pm Whilst at University, Frankenstein's studies culminate in the creation of a monster. Part 3: Chapters 7-9 1-2.30pm The reality of Frankenstein's monster has unforeseen consequence. Catastrophe, death and mourning follow. Part 4: Chapters 10-13 2.30-4pm The monster encounters humanity and starts to question his own existence. Part 5: Chapters 14-17 4-5.30pm The education of Frankenstein's monster and a re-acquaintance with his creator. Part 6: Chapters 18-21 5.30-7.30pm Frankenstein's tumultuous journey through Europe and his quest to rectify his mistakes. Part 7: Chapters 22-24 7.30-9pm A marriage, a murder and an Arctic journey. Bookings for slots will be available from 11am on 24 September.
	After hours at the Polar Museum Saturday 27 October, 4pm – 9pm Enjoy stories of extreme survival from the World's coldest, windiest, highest and driest places as you enjoy an after hours visit to the Polar Museum. We'll be getting out a selection of rarely seen objects from our museum store, you can enjoy dressing up in expedition gear and our museum team will be on hand to answer your questions about polar exploration. You can also drop in on our marathon reading of Frankenstein. Booking available from 11am on 24 September. Drop ins also welcome.