Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

with Nico Spadafora, Paleontologist, Founder of The Fossil Team

Image credit: artist Hodari Nundu

Please note this event takes place on Wednesday due to Election Night.

We’ve all heard the phrase, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Turns out, nature seems to agree! From the fossil record to the animals living around us today, evolution has a funny habit of coming up with the same solutions again and again. Different animals can end up looking remarkably alike and sometimes even behaving alike despite evolving completely independently. This fascinating phenomenon is called convergent evolution.

In this fun and fascinating pub talk, paleontologist Nico Spadafora will take you on a journey through the weird, wonderful, and oddly repetitive world of convergent evolution. We’ll explore how it happens, why evolution keeps repeating itself, and what these evolutionary “reruns” can tell us about the incredible diversity of life on Earth.

Science Pubs are a casual lecture series located in fun venues across the region, recommended for ages 10 and over.

Zoom Option
If you are unable to join us in person, you can watch on Zoom. You must register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Nico Spadafora is the founder of The Fossil Team, an education company and traveling museum dedicated to bringing the wonders of natural history to life. He has spent more than two decades studying paleontology, zoology, and the natural sciences, diving headfirst into the scientific literature and developing a deep knowledge of both living and extinct animals. In his teens, Nico earned an internship at the Oregon Zoo where he studied the anatomy, behavior, and traits of elephants, lions, rhinos, and many other animals. He later took his knowledge into the wild as a professional tracker and wilderness educator with Trackers Earth, following the trails and sign of bears, cougars, elk, and other wild animals. Today, Nico specializes in dinosaurs and prehistoric mammals and loves sharing the strange, spectacular, and sometimes downright bizarre stories hidden in the natural world. When he’s not studying, tracking, or obsessing over animals in the wild, he enjoys movies and games cuddled up with his house panthers Puma and Rufus.

A gaming-themed, adults-only night at OMSI with the museum floor open after hours. The program pairs curated vendors and themed lectures with the interactive exhibits and planetarium shows, drawing on the science and engineering behind games, simulation and play. Food and drink are available for purchase and a happy hour runs from 5:00 PM ahead of the 6:00 PM start. Attendees must be 21 or older; government-issued photo identification is required at the door and no minors are admitted. A good crossover evening for the Portland game development, hardware and science communities. Held at OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland. Ticketed, with advance purchase recommended as these evenings regularly sell out. https://omsi.edu/events/omsi-after-dark-game-on/

The Museum

1945 SE Water Ave.

Portland, OR 97214

• Wheelchair Accessible
• Aira Visual Interpretation Services
• Motorized Scooters Available On Site

21+ Only | A valid government-issued ID is required for entry for all attendees

The perfect texture for running you say? We couldn’t agree more. OMSI After Dark: Chill Out dives into cold weather science and how to relax during the slow, dark months of winter. Slip into your flannel pajamas and cozy up for a night of hot cocoa and snowflakes.

What to Expect: OMSI After Dark is a monthly event for guests 21 and over to explore the museum with a beverage in hand. On top of being able to roam the museum without minors, the added bonus of these events are the curated vendors, lectures relating to the monthly theme, and the Planetarium will be hosting four shows. This month’s vendors and lectures will relate to winter science but there will not be an exhibit about it. Check out the list of vendors below to see who is coming!

Visit the Theory Restaurant during happy hour! Happy Hour is from 5-6pm for ticket holders in the Theory Restaurant. Grab a beverage or a bite to eat and once the doors to the event open at 6pm, you’re free to leave Theory and explore the event! This is for folks who pre-purchased a ticket for the event. Last entry to Happy Hour is 5:45pm.

OMSI After Dark General Admission
$30.00 per person
Includes access to:
-The Featured Exhibit
-OMSI’s Natural Sciences Hall and Turbine Hall
-Planetarium Shows
-Lectures in the Empirical Theater
-Local Vendors

Turbine Hall

A dynamic, hands-on exhibit space where visitors explore real-world science through interactive challenges like building, testing, and designing solutions to environmental and engineering problems.

Natural Sciences Hall
OMSI’s renovated Natural Sciences Hall is open! This hall has been turned into a dynamic space aimed at deepening public understanding of climate related challenges and community-level actions.

Vendors | See below for a full list of artisan food and beverage vendors, as well as themed vendors that will be tabling around the museum.

OMSI Photo Booth

Planetarium Shows

TBD

Check back in for science lectures in the Empirical Theater!

Still mixing the hot cocoa. Check back later!

They’re all on the mountain right now. More to come!

Our Theory restaurant will be open from 5-10pm! Happy Hour is open from 5-6pm for ticket holders. Grab dinner or a drink before the event begins at 6pm. Enjoy wine, beer, cider, and non-alcoholic beverages. Our bars will close at 9:30pm, and alcohol samples given by vendors will end at 9:45pm.

Questions? Email [email protected].
Ticketing questions call 503.797.4000 x0

Questions? Email [email protected] or call 503.797.4000 x0.

Yes, you must be 21+ to attend. Minors are not allowed. Everyone must present a valid government issued ID.

Yes. If your plans change, if you are feeling sick or have been potentially exposed to COVID please stay home. To request a refund email [email protected] or call 503.797.4000 x0. We will give refunds until 5pm the night of the event.

Yes, our restaurant, Theory will be open and selling salads, sandwiches, pizza, and more. Plus, we will have bars with beer, wine, cider and non-alcoholic drinks. We also typically have a couple artisan vendors giving out free samples of alcohol or snacks.

Interested in exploring the area? Check out WonderLove, the food cart pod just down the street from OMSI. They are offering OAD ticket holders 20% off with the code: SPOOKED. A special complimentary offer at the WonderLove bar and WonderCat Pizza cart. Whether you’re pre-gaming or celebrating afterward, we have local food carts, drinks, and room to hang out. (Not valid during Happy Hour).

Parking is $2 plus fees for after-hours events.

The Museum

1945 SE Water Ave.

Portland, OR 97214

• Wheelchair Accessible
• Aira Visual Interpretation Services
• Motorized Scooters Available On Site

OMSI is committed to making science-fueled fun available for all in our community. We are proud to offer admission assistance, financial aid, and accessible services throughout the museum. Explore access resources and amenities for guests visiting the museum.

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