In April, Nebraska Science Festival fans will learn first-hand how he combined his love of art and biology into a career building natural history and prehistoric life models for such museums as the Smithsonian Institution, The National Geographic Society and Beijing Museum of Natural History.
Staab is among the highlights of this year’s Nebraska Science Festival, which runs from April 10-18 in communities across the state. SciFest fans are invited to attend his:
- Special talk on April 16 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Hastings Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Melding science and art, sculptor Gary Staab builds scientific sculptures of animals and artifacts for museums around the word. He uses a hybrid of techniques that include the latest in 3D printing technologies and traditional work in clay. The subject of his sculptures varies greatly from a flea to a life-size, 75-foot-long dinosaur. His talk will cover the process of making a replica of the Mummy of King Tut and include an update on a current project to recreate the “Iceman,” which will be featured in an upcoming NOVA special.
- 3-D sculpting workshop on April 18 at 10 a.m. Second- through sixth-grade students will have a hands-on experience sculpting a small-scale dinosaur. This workshop will compare living and extinct animals as well as explore some of the considerations artists face as they work with scientists to create sculptures for museum displays. Materials and tools will be provided. The workshop is on the Hastings College campus in the Morrison-Reeves Science Center, Room 131. RSVP to nescifest@gmail.com. Space is limited.
While Staab’s sculptures can be found in museum’s around the world, his first exhibit was at the Hastings Museum – not far from his hometown of Grand Island, Neb., and his alma mater, Hastings College. He and his wife, Lissi, have two boys and live on a lake near Kearney, Mo.
The Nebraska Science Festival is a collaboration of organizations and individuals interested in the advancement of science literacy. The Science Festival is designed to make science accessible, interactive, relevant and fun for kids and adults alike. In addition to UNMC, other sponsors, to date, include Nebraska Medicine, the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, Metro Credit Union, HDR, West Corporation and media sponsors KETV and the Omaha World-Herald.
For the full schedule of SciFest activities and participating sites, visit us on the web: www.nescifest.com. For additional info and updates, visit us on Twitter (@NESciFest) or Facebook (NE SciFest).
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu and follow us on social media.
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