Note: The following Science Center Galleries are open:
Dino Dig (weather permitting)
History of Technology
Science of Art
Space
Weather

Stay tuned for information regarding the reopening of other science galleries.

Visitors of all ages will not only learn concepts and make connections to STEM careers but will have fun together doing it!



When you visit, you may notice that the Science Galleries look a bit messy. These spaces are in "trial stage", which means signage and label content is still being developed by our educators and shaped by our visitors. After we test various ideas and gather feedback, content will be finalized and printed professionally. Share your thoughts with a staff member in the gallery or at Ticketing during your next visit.

 

SPACE GALLERY SPONSORS:
The Space Gallery is supported in part by the Iowa Space Grant Consortium under NASA Award No. 80NSSC20M0107. 


 

STEM INITIATIVE CONTRIBUTORS:

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR INDIVIDUAL STEM LEARNING CENTER CAMPAIGN (RAZOO):
Barbara H Lowe, Wendy Schuldt, Douglas L Rick, Allison Castle, David Bergert, Lindsey M Kennedy, Nixalite of America, Luke Fernandez, Susan Matt, Mark A Davidsaver, Drue K. Curry, Nichole Myles, Barbara Matt, Christy A Doornink, Alice Loff, Patricia Mapley, Stephen Mapley, Matt Hayes, Timothy J Murphy, Susan S. Skora, Christine L Chandler, Theodore B. Ewing, Christina Kastell, Meia S. Teague, Linda Cook, Kelly MacIntyre, Elizabeth Matt Turner, Rian D. Waterman, Jonah Cohen, and anonymous

Faces of the Past is an original Putnam exhibit that explores portraiture around the world and across time as a reflection of self-identity, popular culture, mythology, and ritual.

Throughout the world, people see themselves in different ways. Cultures demonstrate how they view themselves through artwork. Whether depicted solely with human features, a blend of human and animal characteristics or something completely supernatural, the masks, wood carvings and pottery in the exhibit characterize a great deal about the cultures that made them. Visitors can expect to see faces representing 20 countries and 35 cultures including a Pre-Columbian face jug, Japanese Noh and Kyogen theater masks, dance masks from Africa and more.



The Putnam believes in strong community collaboration is proud to be partnering with the Figge Art Museum on their For America exhibit from the National Academy of Design. We hope visitors will get a chance to see both exhibits and are able to compare and contrast portraits from cultures around the world. 

Located in Kornder Hall, entrance to the exhibit is included with general admission and will remain open through mid-2021. Plan your visit today!

Sponsors:

Open now through summer 2021!

Did you know? The number of birds in the U.S. and Canada has fallen by a staggering 29% since 1970! Each of us can play a role in bird restoration efforts. 

Birds and You examines the role we all can play in protecting and preserving the birds we see every day in our backyards and fields. Visitors can expect to see a variety of taxidermy mounts, eggs, and nests from the Putnam’s collection while learning about the issues facing birds today and the simple things they can do to help.

The exhibit includes a variety of birdhouses loaned by community members and will feature activities including identifying birds by their silhouettes and creating your own origami passenger pigeon.

Birds and You will also be the starting place for a self-guided bird watch at the Putnam. Visitors will learn about various local species in the exhibit and receive a checklist for a "bird count" in Black Earth Big River which features hundreds of taxidermy animals, including birds, in a natural setting complete with a cave system, woodlands, and river tributary. Putnam partner and President of Quad Cities Audubon Society, Jody Millar, hopes the experience will introduce visitors to birding as a hobby and encourage them to participate in regional Audubon Society bird counts. "A walk through the Black Earth Big River area should be fun," she said. "Many birds have been placed here in a life-like setting. While folks walk through and search for birds, they will have an opportunity to learn more about birds and to sharpen their birding skills."

For a preview of the exhibit, watch this video tour! Plan your visit here. 


 

Click Here To View Spanish Translations to exhibit labels

Sponsors:

Sponsors:

The fossil and mineral annexes, located off our main entrance, feature rotating displays from our rock, mineral and gem collections as well as our paleontology collections. 

Currently featured in the fossil annex is a collection of Mazon Creek fossils from Illinois, including a Tully Monster (the Illinois State fossil), and a number of other strange animals from that site. The Mazon Creek area is world-renowned for its preservation of soft-bodied animals. Iowa's unofficial State fossil, the crinoid, is also currently featured. In aditional to a crinoid slab from Le Grand, Iowa, the display also includes part of one of the earliest donations made to the museum from outside the immediate Quad Cities area, a collection of crinoid stem pieces collected from Burlington, Iowa, that were acquired in January 1868.

The mineral annex currently features minerals from Iowa--Yes, there's more to Iowa's rocks and minerals than coal and gravel. There is also a selection of some of the birthstone material found in our mineral collection, including a wonderful amethyst specimen from Thunder Bay, Ontario. If you're interested in mineral identification, some of the tools of the trade can be found here as well.   

You'll also see our sluice interactive in this area. Mine rough is available for purchase in the Museum Store. 

The Colors of Culture is an original Putnam exhibit, now open in the Putnam’s new World Culture Gallery. The World Culture Gallery celebrates the diverse cultures of our community by featuring artifacts from our international collection including objects from the world travels of some of the museum's founders such as the Putnam, Palmer, and Figge families.



In its inaugural exhibit, visitors will learn about the symbolism of color in adornment, home and celebration. The exhibit is a partnership with World Relief Quad Cities, including artifacts loaned by families in the organization's refugee resettlement program.



The exhibit includes bilingual signage and is accessible with general admission. It will remain open through 2021. Plan your visit today!

Sponsors:

Sponsors:

Step into an ancient Egyptian tomb, discover how ancient Egyptians lived and what they required for a pleasant afterlife. Through a collection of breathtaking authentic Egyptian treasures and the magic of CT (Computed Tomography) imagery, explore two mummies − inside and out! Find out how forensic anthropologists reconstruct facial features and take in our amazing collection of authentic Egyptian treasures!