Join us for "Escape to the Smithsonian: A Sneak Peak at the New Ocean Hall" on Thursday, July 31.

What: Learn about the challenges of putting together a new look at the world's ocean and how they impact life on the Earth. Learn how a major museum exhibit is put together with a particular focus on one of the major challenges of Ocean Hall - the exhibition of two giant squid specimens, one in excess of 40 feet in length. Learn how Smithsonian and Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) teamed together to replace flammable formaldehyde with new non-flammable preservation technology. Presentations will include explanation of scripting as well as a bit about giant squid themselves from one of the world's foremost authorities on the topic. Also learn about the overall Hall and the Smithsonian and NOAA's Ocean Initiative. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period.

Date & Time: Thursday Evening, July 31st
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Buffet Dinner, Networking and Browsing Ocean Hall
($20 per person, RSVP here by July 29)
7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The New Ocean Hall and the Challenges of the Giant Squid!

Where: Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History
10th & Constitution Avenue Entrance
(closest Metro stop: Federal Triangle)

Who: Jill Johnson, Smithsonian Ocean Hall Exhibit Developer
Hans Sues, Associate Director, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Research and Collections
Clyde Roper, Zoologist Emeritus, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, World Renowned Authority on the Giant Squid and cephalopod expert
Joaquin Delgado, Vice President and General Manager, 3M Electronics Markets Materials Division, developer of the Novak fluid used to preserve the giant squid
Michael Vecchione, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service