So the museum was opened a few decades ago by people associated with CalTech. So we shouldn't have been surprised to find a Physics Forest. There were lots of exciting thigns to do, but I found myself trying to explain physics concepts like conservation of momentum and levers to Ellie, when all she wanted to do was to make the balls bounce really high and make the bells ring.
The museum had several things which were typical of childrens museums, which Ellie really enjoyed. Bikes, climbing, digging, arts and crafts...She really enjoyed them. It was fun to watch her run around, be a kid, and try new things.
One of Ellie's favorite parts of the museum was a pretend bug cafe. It was where you could learn about all different insects and what they like to eat. Kinda gross, but really interesting. They had really cool activity where an animated bug would come up on a TV screen and say that they were really hungry and ask for food. The kids task was to look at all the "prepared" bug food, find the appropriate food, and "feed" it to the bug. You would place the plate under the TV and there were sensors to determine if you were right or not. You had to use a "menu" which had information and clues as to which one to pick for the bug on the TV screen. Whether it was a dung bettle, mesquito, ladybug, etc. Ellie really enjoyed this activity and would be bummed when the bug didn't like the plate of food she had put there. But sometimes she got it right and was really happy. Eventually I had to pry her away so other kids could have a turn.
One of the more interesting activities for the two of us was relateded to earthquakes. In one activity you picked items to make up an earthquake kit. Ellie wanted to know all about why you needed specific items. So it was interesting explaining earthquakes to her.
It was a little easier once we noticed the shake table. They had a model house set up on a shake table. The lesson was to shake the table when the house isn't attached to the foundation and see what happens. Then you are supposed to attach it to the foundation and see what happens. Then you install X-bracing at the "foundation" and see what happens. Ellie explained that she "fixed the house" and then asked me, "Mommy, when you fix buildings, do you do this so they don't move and shake in the earthquakes?". She got it! I was proud of her.
But according to Ellie the best part of the museum was the arroyo. There is a small arroyo (arroyo means creek, its what they call the creeks around here in the canyons and foothills) which was made to show water flow and stuff. However, for Ellie...it was time for water play! She had fun stepping on stones to cross the water, playing at the edges, and did her best not to get wet while we were there.
In fact, she had SO much fun that we came home (took a nap), put on our bathing suit and water shoes and went back to fully enjoy the arroyo. She had a blast, until the big kids came and started making big splashes and running pretty fast. So it was time to go. But her fingers were wrinkled and it was time to go anyway. She really had a good time though.
It definitely was fun. However, I think when she is a little older she will get more out of it (includng the physics forest). It was a great combination of indoor and outdoor activities as well as physical and mental challenges for her. I do think she learned a couple new things, but was too busy having fun to notice...which is the ultimate goal right? We will definitely be going back!
No comments:
Post a Comment