Spooktacular slated for Oct. 30 at the Bullock Museum

OCTOBER 12, 2015 (AUSTIN, TX)- Costumes are encouraged as families explore the Bullock Museum after hours during Spooktacular, a free, Halloween celebration on Oct. 30, 2015, from 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy an evening of treats, games, and hands-on art and science activities for kids ages five and up. Plus, receive free admission to the Museum's three floors of interactive exhibitions.

This year's program will introduce children and their families to Texas "creepy crawlies" through special activities. Visitors can decorate a bug jar to take home, make a wildflower seed ball to plant flowers for pollinators, hop in a bug-themed photo booth, enjoy giant butterfly bikes from The Bike Zoo and more. Discounted tickets to the popular IMAX® documentary Flight of the Butterflies 3D will be available for screenings at 6 and 7 p.m. in the Bullock Museum IMAX® Theatre.

"Halloween fun with creepy crawlies is a great opportunity to not only have a great time, but also to learn more about our insect friends," Bullock Museum Head of Education Kate Betz said.

The Austin nonprofit Girlstart will partner with the museum once again to bring the popular science series "Spooky Science Extravaganza" to Spooktacular. Families can enjoy hands-on activities, like creating dry ice boo bubbles, exploring the structural and chemical properties of spider webs, climbing into a portable planetarium, watching vampire blood demos, and more.

"Halloween is a great time to have extra science fun," Girlstart Executive Director Tamara Hudgins said. "Goo, slime, bubbles, bones, and dry ice are all part of our Halloween tradition here at Girlstart. Each year, we bring back our favorite spooky science activities and share them with children and families. Doing science together, and having fun at the same time, is a special way to share Halloween as a family."

Spooktacular offers an opportunity for Texas residents and visitors to experience the museum at no charge. The museum's newest exhibition will be open to the public. "Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame" is one of the most extensive and comprehensive exhibitions ever produced on America’s most popular sport and features 2,300 yards of original artifacts, rare documents, award-winning photographs, and fun interactives for the entire family that explore the cultural and historical significance of America’s football legacy.

For more information about the Museum or the 2015 Spooktacular event, visit www.TheStoryofTexas.com.

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About Spooktacular
Free, family-friendly Halloween event
Friday, October 30, 2015
5 - 8 p.m.
Activities for kids 5+

Flight of the Butterflies 3D
6 p.m. and 7 p.m. screenings in the IMAX® Theatre
Rating: All Ages
Runtime: 40 minutes
Weighing less than a penny, the iconic monarch butterfly makes one of the longest migrations on Earth. Follow their perilous and extraordinary journey and witness hundreds of millions of butterflies in their remote mountain sanctuary in Mexico in Flight of the Butterflies.

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​​The Bullock Texas State History Museum, a division of the State Preservation Board and an accredited institution of the American Alliance of Museums, creates experiences that educate, engage, and encourage a deeper understanding of Texas. With dynamic, award-winning exhibitions that illuminate Texas history, people, and culture, educational programming for all ages, and an IMAX® theater with a screen the size of Texas, the Museum collaborates with more than 700 museums, libraries, archives, organizations, and individuals across the world to bring the Story of Texas to life. For more information, visit www.TheStoryofTexas.com or call (866)369-7108.

Girlstart, founded in Austin in 1997, is the only community-based informal STEM education nonprofit in the nation specifically dedicated to empowering and equipping girls in STEM, through year-round programming that promotes girls’ early engagement and academic success in STEM, encourages girls' aspirations and persistence in STEM education and careers, and incubates a talented and diverse STEM workforce. Its innovative, nationally-recognized programs include after-school and summer camps for students, professional development for teachers, and community and online STEM education outreach programs. Girlstart cultivates a culture where risk is rewarded, curiosity is encouraged, and creativity is expected. As a result, Girlstart girls are connected, brave, and resilient. Girlstart makes girls more successful, and inspires them to take on the world’s greatest challenges.