Fresno, CA… The Fresno Metropolitan Museum's Reeves ASK Science Center will debut its latest set of hands-on exhibits on September 9, 2006 with Earth, Wind, Inspire, a new science-based exhibit developed through the Met's partnership with San Francisco's Exploratorium.

Earth Wind, Inspire features 35 exhibits that explore the patterns and forces of wind and earth, and the delight of reflected light to the Reeves ASK Science Center. Swirling sandstorms, tornados, the changing forms of clouds, patterns of waves on seas, geysers, the inescapable pull of gravity, reflected light and other experiences replicating the power and beauty of the natural world have been gathered together in this uniquely educational and challenging exhibition.

Visitors are encouraged to glimpse into tornados, hurricanes, avalanches and geysers, processes often occurring on such a huge scale of size and time that it is difficult to perceive. In Aeolian Landscape a visitor alters the direction of a fan blowing air across sand dunes, and changes the shape of a dune in minutes, whereas on the beach, it might take hours or days to accomplish this change. The exhibition also explores reflected light - what inspires us most. Everything you see in the world is either making light or reflecting light: in the day the lamp is the sun and at night, the light is the moon. Light-natural, man-made or reflected - is a source of wonder and sometimes even confusion, as captured by elements of this exhibition.

The Met's partnership with the Exploratorium in San Francisco allows the Museum the opportunity to present new and exciting scientific challenges in an educational and fun setting while serving as a valuable asset to Valley children and parents alike.

The Met's Science Center originally opened as the Reeves Exploration Center in the Rotary Playland Science Gallery, and is consistently one of the Met's most popular family attractions. In February of 2003 the Met's Science Center formed a partnership with San Francisco's Exploratorium and reopened as the Reeves ASK Science Center. The Fresno Metropolitan Museum joins other museums from around the world in this unique partnership with the Exploratorium to create joint programming, encourage discovery and provide teacher training.

About the Fresno Metropolitan Museum:
The Fresno Metropolitan Museum, a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, is a 501c(3) non- profit organization devoted to the preservation and promotion of art and science programs in the San Joaquin Valley. The Met hosts and develops educational and culturally enriching programs, exhibitions and events throughout the year.

The Met's historic home in The Fresno Bee Building is undergoing renovation through early 2007. During that time, Met programming is taking place offsite and at a temporary location at 933 Van Ness Avenue in downtown Fresno. For more information on upcoming classes, camps, programs and events please visit the Museum's website at www.fresnomet.org.