Temporary Exhibitions

Life on Earth! featuring Explore Evolution

Presented by:

Now Showing

Cranbrook Institute of Science explores the vast diversity and mysterious beauty of life forms on Earth, that diversity’s importance to humanity, and how mass extinctions and evolution have shaped its history through geologic time to the present in the Life on Earth! exhibition at the Institute of Science through September 2, 2012. Produced by Cranbrook using its own life science collections, as well as specimens on loan from other museums, universities and private collections, Life on Earth! immerses the visitor in the splendor of life and explores the degree to which the growing human population has transformed the Earth for human welfare.

A Wall of Life displays twenty-eight groups of hundreds of preserved specimens encompassing all known life from mammals to microbes. Highlights include: a Bengal Tiger, a White Rhino and other mammals from the collections of the Wayne State University; spectacular birds, crocs and alligators; fish, amphibians, snakes and lizards; insects, crabs and spiders; various worms and plants and photomicrographs of bacteria and other microbes. Wondrous Forms presents case studies of animal diversity and adaptation, illustrated by captivating visuals of hundreds of alluring butterflies and mollusks from the Institute’s collection. Juxtaposed alongside is The Human Population Explosion featuring a population clock that monitors humanity’s growing numbers in near real time and a simulation of the history of human population growth in time and space projected to the year 2050. Related elements illustrate the mapping of human biomes across the planet and explore the possible role humanity plays in the ongoing extinction of species today including a look at how forest communities have evolved in SE Michigan over the last 12,000 years, as illustrated by specimens from the Institute’s renowned herbarium collections.

The Big Five features snapshots in time of the Earth’s five major mass extinctions; times when 75% or more of known species died out from overlapping stresses or “perfect storms” of factors that disrupted the Earth System. Spectacular fossils and casts illustrate the patterns of diversity through time ranging back 3.4 billion years. Some highlights include: the jaws of Megalodon, a bus-sized prehistoric shark; Burgess Shale fossils from on loan from the Smithsonian Institution; real 35 million year old skeletons of early cat-like and terrible pig predators; the most comprehensive exhibit in Metro-Detroit on the hominid and human fossil record; and a spectacular cast of Latimeria, a type of living fish called a coelacanth, once thought to have been extinct since the end of the dinosaur era and much more!

In the same gallery a complement to Life on Earth!, Explore Evolution examines seven exciting research projects that have made major contributions to our understanding of evolution, including work related to the rapid evolution of HIV, a look at fungus-growing ants and their coevolving partners, and research focusing on the fossils of walking whales. Developed by a consortium of six partner museums, led by the Nebraska University State Museum, Explore Evolution features interactive exhibits giving visitors the opportunity to experience the different types of research conducted by the scientists involved in the project.

Both exhibitions are complemented by “Galapagos Trail,” a children’s play and study area highlighted by a replica of Darwin’s ship HMS Beagle. Saltwater aquarium tanks with live corals and predator fish, and assorted activities help younger visitors better understand evolution and the adaptation of species to their environments.

Related events include a new planetarium program, two special lectures and live animal programs. Natural Selection follows Darwin’s voyage of discovery and airs weekends and at special times during school breaks. On December 9 at 7:30 p.m. Dr Brian Huber of the Smithsonian Institution will speak on the Asteroid Impact at the End of the Dinosaur Era and March 9, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. Professors Robert and Ellen Dawley of Ursinus College will present a lecture on Evolution in the Galapagos. The Bat Zone at Cranbrook will present free live animals programs in the exhibit hall from 1-4 each Sat. through the end of January. Lectures and live animals shows are free with admission. There is a charge for the planetarium.