PORTLAND, OR (Sept. 19, 2008) The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) has installed a Portland General Electric (PGE) plug-in vehicle charging station in its North parking lot. The OMSI installation is one of five recently completed plug-in vehicle charging stations—enough to charge 12 vehicles—in the Portland and Salem area. The charging station supports the next generation of green cars—the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)—as well as current generation plug-in electrics.

PORTLAND, OR (Sept. 18, 2008) The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will host an installation by artist Jennifer Steinkamp of her piece titled Anything You Can Do. Anything You Can Do is an interactive swing set that visitors can ride to create unique light and sound effects. Anything You Can Do will be on display Oct. 11, 2008-Jan. 3 2009, in OMSI’s Earth Science Hall. The Anything You Can Do OMSI installation was made possible by the generous support of the Hedinger Family Foundation.

PORTLAND, OR (Sept. 5, 2008) The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) invites visitors ages 60+ to experience Senior Science Days, a new ongoing program designed just for seniors. During Senior Science Days, seniors can explore the latest OMSI featured exhibit, take in a lab demo, see an OMNIMAX film, or talk with experts about science and technology issues that affect their everyday lives, all in a child-free environment.

Experience one of the greatest rock bands of all time like you’ve never seen them before in U2:The Full-Dome Experience, now playing at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s Kendall Planetarium. U2:The Full-Dome Experience is an immersive digital experience offering rich computer renderings and abstract visuals choreographed to the band’s award-winning music. Special effects performed live by OMSI presenters guarantees audiences will never experience the same show twice!

PORTLAND, OR. (August 27, 2008) The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will temporarily close its OMNIMAX Dome Theater and Science Store from September 2-26 for renovations and upgrades. A temporary Science Store will be open for business in OMSI’s front lobby during the renovation process.

PORTLAND, OR (August 26, 2008) Start your engines and race with Mario and his friends at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s (OMSI) Mario Kart Wii gaming tournament. Sponsored by Game Crazy, the tournament is for children in grades 1—5 and will take place on September 20 at 1:00 p.m. in the OMSI Auditorium. Admission to the tournament is $7 at the door, $5 for pre-registered players and OMSI members. (Tournament fee does not include OMSI attractions.)

PORTLAND, OR (Aug.7, 2008) — Crawl, creep, and slither your way to one of the largest gatherings of reptiles and amphibians in the Pacific Northwest when the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) presents the Reptile and Amphibian Show, Labor Day weekend, Aug. 30–Sept. 1. Nearly 100 exotic animals will be on display at this popular event, including a large variety of captive-bred snakes, alligators, lizards, turtles, and more.

Take life by the handlebars and celebrate Portland’s favorite form of transportation at Bicycle Day, a new event hosted by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and the Community Cycling Center. Learn about safety, maintenance, and cycling’s health benefits July 26 at OMSI.

Ever wanted to push the buttons on that cool exhibit at OMSI but can’t get a chance because kids are having all the fun with it? Perhaps you’d like to enjoy a glass of wine as you peruse ancient dinosaur bones from China? Or discuss the science of brewing with a local brewer? Now you can do all that and more at OMSI After Dark, a museum evening geared for the 21 and over crowd complete with appetizers, wine, beer, and science fun!

The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) has been awarded Salmon-Safe certification by Salmon-Safe, an independent non-profit organization. Salmon-Safe offers the nation’s first and only peer-reviewed certification program linking land management practices with the protection of urban watersheds. The certification follows an extensive on-site inspection of the OMSI facilities by expert inspectors to verify the property is designed and managed to protect water quality and fish habitat. OMSI is the first science museum in the country to be awarded the Salmon-Safe certification.

PORTLAND, OR (June 9, 2008) OMSI will announce the winners of its first-ever astronomy photo contest during a special reception on Friday, June 20, from 5:00-6:00p.m. outside OMSI's Harry C. Kendall Planetarium. Refreshments will be served, and the 12 winning photos, ¬one grand prize and 11 honorable mentions, will be on display. The 2009 “Stellar Skies” calendar, in which the winning photos appear, will be available at a discount at the event. Following the reception, the calendar will be available for purchase in the OMSI Science Store and online at www.omsi.edu for $13.99