Pirates will invade the Saint Louis Science Center when the blockbuster exhibition Real Pirates opens on May 1. The exhibition, the world’s first exhibition of authentic pirate treasure, explores early 18th-century piracy and includes more than 200 artifacts recovered from the first fully authenticated pirate ship discovered in American waters.
The exhibit, organized in part by National Geographic, tells the true story of the Whydah, a real pirate ship that sank off the coast of Cape Cod, Mass., nearly 300 years ago. It showcases chests of gold coins, jewelry, cannons, pistols, knives and a life-size replica of the ship’s stern that visitors can board. St. Louis is one of just 10 cities the exhibition will visit.
The Whydah, the ship at the center of the exhibit, was located in 1984 by underwater explorer Barry Clifford, who is still actively excavating the wreck site and continues to bring treasures to the surface every year. Real Pirates relates the stories of four members of the Whydah crew, including John King, the youngest known pirate on board the ship, who was believed to be younger than 11 at the time of the shipwreck.
As part of the exhibit, a dozen multimedia galleries showcase the reality of the slave trade in West Africa and the economic prosperity in the Caribbean in the early 18th century, the Whydah’s journey, the ship’s capture, the violent storm that sank the ship, its discovery by Clifford and the recovery and conservation of its artifacts. More information about the exhibit can be found at www.slsc.org.
At this free art program for ages 3-6 the focus is on the process of making art rather than the finished product. Dress to get messy!
Science Tots is designed for children ages 18 to 36 months. The class provides opportunities to support brain development and learning. Toddlers and their grown-ups will explore STEM topics through songs, stories, hands-on exploration and play.
Explore the Saint Louis Zoo in the evenings at the new Animals Aglow exhibit. Bring your family to experience the luminous glow of 50 towering lanterns depicting animals, plants and traditional Chinese elements. Don't miss this celebration of culture and art!
Toddlers and their grownups can learn, create and play during Toddler Thursday at Mastodon State Historic Site. Each session explores a different topic related to nature and includes activities and a craft.
Dinoroarus is back for a limited time at the Saint Louis Zoo. This engaging attraction for all ages features 14 groupings of animatronic and stationary dinosaurs - colorful, prehistoric creatures that move realistically, some roaring and spiting or placidly munching on lush vegetation.