A couple weeks ago some coworkers and I (remember: I work in Oil & Gas in Houston) took a long lunch field trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science to check out the newly renovated Wiess Energy Hall. I don’t usually mix work and blogging (except recently I’ve been scouting Downtown Houston building geology at lunch and sharing the self guided walking tours here), but I thought the exhibit was so neat I wanted to encourage my industry colleagues and geology loving friends to visit.
Moving the Weiss Energy Hall from the first floor to the fourth floor allowed HMNS to expand the exhibit from 8,500 square feet to 30,000 square feet! Remodeled in 2017, there are now more interactive displays, huge models hanging from the ceiling, and generally allows for more comfortable walking space. The museum proudly claims the exhibit is the most contemporary, comprehensive and technologically advanced exhibition on the science and technology of energy anywhere in the world…and I would agree.
While there’s still a large hydrocarbon movie on loop near the entrance, now there’s the addition of foram (single celled/micropaleo sea creatures…think diatoms, etc.) models and additional displays on hydrocarbon sources.
I’ve always liked the drill bits on display, and I think there are more/new drill bits now. It’s neat to see the different types of bits for the different rocks they drill through. There’s also a huge tri-cone rotary drill bit model spinning from the ceiling as well.
The GeoVator is still around, but now has a new and improved interior and movie experience. I think the interior looks like the inside of the TARDIS, and I’m willing to bet the designer is a Doctor Who fan. The movie takes the passengers back in time to the Cretaceous Period where you (spoiler alert!) witness the meteor impact from 65 million years ago, and then go back to the present through a subsurface near a salt dome. It’s campy, and I like it.
They’ve also added the Eagle Ford Shale Experience, another “ride film” that features shale oil drilling and hydraulic micro-fracturing. I normally get motion sickness easily and wondered where I’d throw up if I needed to (I looked for bags but didn’t see any) but it was quite mild. No Dramamine needed, even for me. This was a cute and fun experience.
I liked seeing some old favorites alongside new displays throughout the hall, and marveled at the grand scale of everything. There are seismic displays, drilling technology displays, general geology, solar and wind energy, and everything in between.
My absolute favorite display was Energy City, which is a scaled 3-D model of Downtown Houston and a not so scaled surrounding Gulf Coast and countryside, and features all energy sources from wind to nuclear. Illuminated by over a dozen laser light projectors, this dynamic display changes by the second as it cycles through night and day and the energy value chain. If you watch long enough (20 minute time loop) and pay attention at the right moment, you’ll even see an alien spaceship swooping down and abducting a cow. Anyway, go check it out!
More Geologic Adventures on the Blog:
Skyline Geology: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Houston’s Buildings (City Hall Loop)
Tunnel Geology: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Houston’s Buildings (Red Loop)
Skyline Geology: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Houston’s Buildings (Hyatt Loop)
Tunnel Geology: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Houston’s Buildings (Yellow Tunnel)
Skyline Geology: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Houston’s Buildings (Jones Loop)
Tunnel Geology: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Houston’s Buildings (Teal Tunnel)
Geology Basics: For the Casual Observer or Amateur Enthusiast
British Isles Cruise on Royal Princess (Part 2: England, Ireland, Northern Ireland)
Alaskan Cruise: Juneau Part 1 (Mendenhall Glacier)
Alaskan Cruise: Scenic Cruising Tracy Arm Fjord
TPWD Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program
Becoming an Outdoors Woman as an Instructor
Becoming an Outdoors Woman Workshop: Spring 2016
Visiting Big Bend National Park: Something for Everyone
A Return to Big Bend National Park: Lodge Edition
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