Adventures of Riley: Biome Trek is an exciting new traveling exhibit
that invites visitors to be field scientists. Using authentic tools and techniques,
visitors investigate real-world questions, gain a better understanding of the
natural world, and learn that science is accessible to everyone. The exhibit
is based on the popular Adventures of Riley children's book series and is intended
for a family audience of all ages.
Visitors to Adventures of Riley: Biome Trek are greeted by the sights
and sounds of the world's biomes, including tundra, grasslands, deserts, forests,
and aquatic. Over thirty hands-on activities engage visitors of all ages as
they learn about habitats, systems, species diversity, adaptation, human populations,
and more.
Adventures await the whole family in Adventures of Riley: Biome Trek.
Each biome presents a new mystery through immersive "you are there" sights and
sounds of nature that a field scientist would experience, utilizing the visitor's
problem solving skills in multiple hands-on interactives.
Huge photos and videos from around the world draw the visitors into each scene
where they are joined by colorful characters from the Adventures of Riley picture
book series. Kids of all ages will explore and investigate phenomena such as
coral bleaching and shrinking Emperor Penguin populations. Hands-on experimentation
and observation will enable visitors to draw conclusions about the impact of
these circumstances on the environment.
Dozens of fun activities are designed to employ both fine and gross motor skills,
and reach the visitor through a variety of intelligences by manipulating, quantifying,
listening, drawing, sharing, and more. Some of these activities are:
- Walk, crawl, or "swim" through a coral reef to observe "underwater" sea
life
- Find critters hiding in the dark desert night by using an infrared scope
- Collect data about temperature, wind, and rainfall
- Use binoculars, compasses, and other field science gear in realistic simulations
- Hands-on creativity and open-ended exploration:
- Design a critter
- Draw plants and animals from sightings
- Design and build a nest
Exploring the world by peeking, poking, prodding, and building, Adventures
of Riley: Biome Trek is great learning fun for all!