Press Release For Immediate Release

January 29, 2025

THE POWER OF POISON OPENS AT ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER

New Exhibition Explores Poison in Nature, Myth, History, and Science

 

Phoenix, AZ – The Power of Poison, organized by the American Museum of Natural History, opens at Arizona Science Center on February 2. The Science Center’s latest exhibition explores poison’s role in nature, mythology, history, and human health. Guests can delve into history’s most puzzling poisoning cases, solve mysteries through interactive clues, and join a live theater presentation to unravel a real-world poisoning scenario while discovering how science demystifies and harnesses poison’s power.

“The Power of Poison invites guests to uncover the captivating and often surprising role of toxins in nature, history, and modern science,” stated Guy Labine, The Hazel A. Hare President & CEO of Arizona Science Center. “This exhibition not only reveals the mysteries and myths surrounding poison but also showcases its potential to inspire groundbreaking medical advancements. We are thrilled to bring this extraordinary experience to our community.”

  • Poison in Nature: For 450 million years, plants have evolved chemical defenses to fend off insects and herbivores. While some of these poisons are ancient knowledge, others are still being uncovered.
  • Poison in Myth & Legends: Before science, poisonings were often attributed to magic, blurring the lines between sorcery, disease, and toxins. Botany’s ability to heal or harm was seen as a source of power. The exhibition’s Poison in Myth and Legend section features lifelike dioramas, including Shakespeare’s witches from Macbeth, and an animated “enchanted” botanical book that reveals the myths and uses of toxic plants like belladonna and monkshood.
  • Detecting Poison: For centuries, poisons were almost impossible to detect, and many cases remain unsolved. The Villains and Victims gallery explores infamous poisonings and historical mysteries like Cleopatra’s death and Napoleon’s decline, reexamined with modern toxicology.
  • Poison by Accident: Not all poisonings are intentional. Visitors can solve real-life accidental poisoning cases in an interactive game, including Captain James Cook’s mysterious illness aboard the Resolution in 1774.
  • Poison for Good: Toxicology began as a tool to detect poisons and save lives. Today, researchers study toxins from plants and animals to develop groundbreaking medical treatments. The Poison for Good section highlights how these discoveries are unlocking new ways to heal.

The Power of Poison opens Sunday, February 2, with an exclusive Member preview from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The exhibition runs through Sunday, August 24, 2025, and is included FREE with an Arizona Science Center Membership or general admission ticket. Children under 3 always receive FREE entry.

To learn more or to reserve your tickets, visit AzScience.org.

Media Inquiries: Kristina Celik, celikk@azscience.com 

About Arizona Science Center 

Located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona Science Center features more than 300 hands-on exhibits, a five-story giant-screen theater, live demonstrations, traveling exhibitions, and exciting science programs. The Center offers programs for all ages, including Science on Wheels, CAMP INNOVATION, Teen programs, Professional Development, and Adults’ Night Out: Science With A Twist. Whether onsite or at your location–get ready to embark on a hands-on STEM learning journey you’ll never forget. To learn more or to reserve tickets, visit azscience.org or call 602.716.2000.

About The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH)

The American Museum of Natural History, founded in 1869 with a dual mission of scientific research and science education, is one of the world’s preeminent scientific, educational, and cultural institutions. The Museum encompasses more than 40 permanent exhibition halls, galleries for temporary exhibitions, the Rose Center for Earth and Space including the Hayden Planetarium, and the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation. The Museum’s scientists draw on a world-class permanent collection of more than 30 million specimens and artifacts, some of which are billions of years old, and one of the largest natural history libraries in the world. Through its Richard Gilder Graduate School, the Museum offers two of the only free-standing, degree-granting programs of their kind at any museum in the U.S.: the Ph.D. program in Comparative Biology and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Earth Science residency program. Visit amnh.org for more information.

 



Map