Child's Play: Explore the genius of Da Vinci at science center

The Maryland Science Center is offering a rare look at Leonardo da Vinci - arguably the greatest genius of all time - in a special traveling exhibit direct from Italy, "Da Vinci - The Genius."

 

The brilliance of da Vinci from aeronautics to medicine, artistry to weapons of war - all on display in this extraordinary exhibition's first visit to the East Coast in only the third venue in the United States.

Included are a sampling of da Vinci's machines, inventions, paintings, sculptures, writings and drawings.

Highlights include large-scale machine inventions; Leonardo's mysterious alphabet, writings and his anatomical drawings; and secrets of "The Last Supper" and "Mona Lisa" revealed in 3D animation.

Created to museum-quality standards including interpretive information by international museum curators, there are more than 200 exhibits on display along with interactive and 3D elements. A truly unique combination of culture, history, art and science.

The exhibit is open through Jan. 31. There is an additional charge to view "Da Vinci - The Genius." Science center admission plus this exhibit is $20.95; $14.95 for ages 3 to 12.

The Maryland Science Center is at 601 Light St. It is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

For information, visit www.marylandsciencecenter.org or call 410-685-2370.

The secrets of 'Mona Lisa' revealed

Pascal Cotte was granted unprecedented access by the French government and The Louvre Museum to conduct an extensive scientific evaluation of the "Mona Lisa."

He did so under strict security and supervision, taking her out of her frame and away from the protective glass enclosure. His photographic examination and findings have startled the art world - making revelations including identifying her original pigment colors, proving she indeed did have eyebrows and eyelashes and producing the world's only 360 degree walk-around replica.

Learn how to stay healthy

Begin each month on healthy note with a visit to Port Discovery for Healthy First Saturday, this month on Nov. 7.

Among the health-related activities and information planned this month:

* "Cook & Tell" with Wegmans at noon and 1 and 2 p.m.
* Special Circle Time sponsored by Barnes & Noble at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.
* Kinderfit - Wellness Songs for Healthy Kids with The Kindersinger, Pam Minor, at 1:30 and 2 p.m.
* CoMMotion Dance School at 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.
* Johns Hopkins Mobile Care Unit from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
* Health Corner with Baltimore Health Care Access from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
* UMBC Health Fair from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Check out the "Cool Things To Do" schedule when you arrive for the list of the day's participants.

Or you might want to check out the Wildlife Adventures, a special ticketed program offered at 1 and 2 p.m. Nov. 8.

This fun-filled program is a combination of live animals, fun props and audience volunteers. Through hands-on experiments children will learn how animal's features help it survive.

Extra cost is $3; children under age 2 are admitted free. Port Discovery is at 35 Market Place in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Admission is $12.95 for ages 2 and up. For more info, visit www.portdiscovery.org or call 410-727-8120.

Furry friends

Preschoolers ages 3 to 4 can learn about what makes animals furry and how they prepare for winter from 10 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Patuxent Research Refuge's Visitor Center, located on Powder Mill Road between the Baltimore Washington Parkway and Route 197 in Laurel. This program includes stories, song and crafts. For registration and information, call 301-497-5887.

Tree hike

Children ages 8 and older can take a hike to learn about trees from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 7 at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, 1361 Wrighton Road in Lothian. The hike concludes with a craft. For more information, visit www.jugbay.org.

Mom and Me Tea

Annapolis Recreation and Parks will host a Mom and Me Tea from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Annapolis Recreation Center, 9 St. Mary's St. Moms, aunts and grandmothers can bring their girls ages 4 to 12 to an afternoon of tea and sweets. The cost is $20 per pair for Annapolis residents and $23 per pair for nonresidents. The cost is $10 for additional visitors. For registration and information, call 410-263-7958 or visit www.annapolis.gov/recreation.