The blog is where we'll post news, updates, information about objects in our collection, #betterworkstories, profiles of staff members and visitors, pictures and videos, and really anything we think you'd find interesting. We hope you enjoy.
If there's a topic you'd like us to do a post about, or a post that you think needs a sequel, just let us know!
Extreme Science Outreach
Otago Museum is taking its commitment to science outreach to the extreme again this year, travelling 3500 kilometres to Niue and the Cook Islands to deliver the Far from Frozen science showcase. With the support of the United States Embassy and Air New Zealand, a team from Otago Museum will travel to Alofi, Niue this Friday for a week of school sessions, shows and workshops that will engage nearly 500 students as well as community members. The showcase includes interactive displays, demonstrations and virtual reality experiences all designed to communicate the science behind climate change. Craig Grant, Director Science Engagement and Visitor...
New Species of Body Snatching Hairworm Discovered in Otago
When MSc research student Zachary Tobias arrived at the University of Otago from the United States, little did he know that he’d end up discovering a new species of hairworm. However in March 2016 he and his then fiancé (now wife), Brenah Hearne, made a unique find while collecting specimens for Zac’s research at the Rock and Pillar Range, near Dunedin. “We had been collecting these parasites all summer, but to the naked eye this particular specimen didn’t seem a whole lot different from the others. However, after having a look at the genetic data, it was obvious it was special....
Memories of Otago Museum
As the Otago Museum prepares to mark its 150th anniversary this September, planning is well underway for a superlative exhibition to celebrate. Now Dunedin locals will have a chance to add their own memories to the eclectic collection over a century in the making. Museum staff are calling for those who have stories to tell or pictures to share of their experience of the Otago Museum, from any time in the past century and a half. Head of Design Craig Scott explains, “We’ve created space in the exhibition design so we can include our community’s stories – the community is after all...
40 Years of Philanthropy
Dr Marjorie Barclay trustees Euan Wright, Nerissa Barber and Paul Barnett are delighted to announce that, 40 years after the death of Dunedin philanthropist Dr Marjorie Barclay, the charitable trust that bears her name has distributed grants now totalling over $6 525 000. A cocktail event at Otago Museum on Friday 20 July, with Mayor Dave Cull presenting the 2018 grants, celebrates the life of Dr Marjorie Barclay and acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the professionals and volunteers specified as beneficiaries in Dr Marjorie Barclay’s will. The beneficiaries of the Dr Marjorie Barclay Trust are: Otago Museum ($50 000), the...
2018 Otago Wildlife Photography Exhibition People's Choice
With the 2018 Otago Wildlife Photography Exhibition closing this Sunday, the time has come to announce the winner of this year’s People’s Choice Award. Museum visitors and photography fans submitted over 2800 votes this year, which resulted in the first ever tie for first place. Carolena Booth, who captured Skateboarder Basil, and Jemma Bezuidenhout with her entry Flying Pup, will take home canvas prints of their photos, created by Jonathan’s Photo Warehouse. Both winners were entrants in the Pet – 14 years and under category. With an ever increasing number of entries, both photographic (2332) and video (53), the Otago Wildlife Photography Competition...
Rare Discovery: New Long-legged Fly Found at Aramoana
Spending time on the mudflats around Aramoana over the summer led to a unique find for Associate Professor Steve Kerr, a neurotoxicologist at the University of Otago.
Things Change: Martin Phillipps and The Chills at Otago Museum
Combine an iconic Dunedin band, an award-winning documentary company, and a group of Otago Polytechnic Communication Design students, and you have the makings of a unique exhibition opening at Otago Museum on Saturday 23 June.
2018 ServiceIQ New Zealand Museum Awards
The most engaging, visionary, resourceful and innovative exhibitions, programmes and museum projects were celebrated this evening with a gala at event at Christchurch Art Gallery.
Lab in a Box, taking science to the nation
Lab in a Box is a fully equipped, mobile research lab designed to engage and enthuse New Zealanders about science. Conceived by University of Otago’s Professor Peter Dearden, the portable research lab within a 20ft shipping container has hosted over 300 sessions across 52 schools since late 2015.
2018 Otago Wildlife Photography Competition closing soon
Otago Museum’s 19th annual Otago Wildlife Photography Competition draws to a close this month, with entries closing at midday on Friday 23 February 2018.
Amateur photographers and videographers from around Otago are encouraged to enter their best Plant, Animal, Pets, Night Skies or Human Impact on the Environment shots, or videos of Wildlife in Action. They will be in to win great prizes and the chance to feature in the Museum’s 2018 Otago Wildlife Photography Exhibition.
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Our blog aims to keep you informed of the latest happenings at the Otago Museum, through posts about our collections, our people and our work.
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The views expressed here are those of our individual contributors, and are not the views of the Otago Museum.
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All content of this blog is Copyright Otago Museum, 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the Otago Museum, except for the purposes of private study, research, criticism, review, or education, as provided for in the New Zealand Copyright Act 1994.