Exploring Ecosystems at the California Science Center

I was recently invited by the folks at Trekaroo to check out the “Exploring Trees Inside and Out” exhibit at the California Science Center. And if you know how much I love trees, you know I wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to take my explorers to play in and discover more about them!

This special exhibit, which runs through September 26, 2010, was designed by the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation and developed with a generous grant from Doubletree Hotels. The purpose? To create a better understanding of the importance of nature among children – a goal I couldn’t more heartily support. The exhibit has traveled around the country and the California Science Center is its only southwest stop.

“Exploring Trees Inside and Out” is part of the Science Center’s newest gallery, Ecosystems. Here’s a look at what the Ecosystems exhibit is all about.

WHY IT’S GREAT FOR NATURE LOVERS
Nowhere else that we’ve visited here in Los Angeles has provided such a complete overview of the world’s varied ecosystems in an interactive and kid-friendly way. This new gallery transports you to eight zones – from deserts to polar regions and islands – each designed to illustrate a different ecological principle.

Although much of the information is tailored to school-aged kids, even the little explorer found things to enjoy, like ogling at starfish, climbing in a tree and touching an ice wall.

All this for $5! (This is a suggested donation for adults only; there is no fee to enter any of the Center’s exhibits.)

OUR NOTES FROM THE FIELD
Our journey started with a 2-minute video of the ecosystems we’d be touring. This first room consists of two enormous video screens on either side of you.

We couldn’t help but to shout out the names of all the things we were seeing around us (luckily we were alone!). If your little ones are sensitive to loud noises or dark places, you might want to skip this introductory experience.

We decided to check out the “Exploring Trees Inside and Out” exhibit – designed specifically for kids ages 2 to 7 – first. I can’t say enough wonderful things about it. I mean, what kid wouldn’t be excited to climb around in this treehouse?

The goal of this exhibit is to teach young kids the significant role trees play in the environment. We listened to the sounds of the trees (think birds, leaves falling and squirrels), smelled tree scents (like sap, bark, wood and apples) and looked at parts of the tree under a microscope. The big explorer loved playing in a larger-than-life bird’s nest.

He also got a kick out of pretending to be a forest creature in as part of a blue-screen flying experience. Here he is all dressed up and taking a flight.

The hubby and I later agreed that this was our favorite part of the day because both of our kids were equally entertained. The small space, with only a single entrance/exit, also made it much easier to keep an eye on both kids at once.

After about half an hour playing in the trees, we moved on to check out some of the other Ecosystem exhibits. First we hit the Island Zone where the little explorer was mesmerized by the fish and the big explorer was fascinated at an activity table requiring the use of a variety of skills to get a ping pong ball from one end of the table to an island in the center.

Next it was the Extreme Zone, starting with the poles and the chance to touch an ice wall, which fascinated the little explorer to no end. Then we were off to the desert to witness a flash flood and see some cactus.

But the big hit came at the rocky shore, where we sat for quite a while at the tide pool filled with marine organisms that spend half of their lives covered by water and the other half exposed to air. Special thanks to the hubby for spotting this amazing sea slug.

Next up was another huge hit with the kids, the Forest Zone. Here they sat in awe at the kelp forest, viewable via this amazing floor-to-ceiling tank.

Before calling it a day, we also checked out the Rot Room, where you can watch sowbugs, millipedes and maggots slowly break down live materials. This is a tiny room but worth a look. Not only is this an extremely unique opportunity to show kids the vital role that the often less-likeable creatures play, but it’s also a great example of the life cycle at work.

Our 2-½ hour visit ended with two tired explorers still not wanting to head home. In the interest of ending on a high note (and feeding hungry tummies!) we skipped out on half of the eight zones. At lunch, the big explorer was already sharing his game plan for our next visit.

PLANNING ESSENTIALS

• Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Admission to the Science Center’s permanent exhibition galleries is free; $5 suggested donation per adult
• Parking is $8
• Best times to visit are on weekends or weekday afternoons after 1:30 p.m.
• The “Exploring Trees Inside and Out “exhibit is free and will be at the Science Center through September 26; designed specifically for kids aged 2 through 7
• There are several dining options available, including a café, McDonald’s, Taco Bell and Starbuck’s
• Restrooms are available on each of the Center’s three levels; elevators and exhibit areas are large and stroller-friendly

MY TIPS FOR A GREAT VISIT

• Start early. We got there shortly after the Center opened at 10 a.m. and had the place virtually to ourselves. No need for the kids to wait in lines to touch and try all there was to do. But by the time we left at 12:30 p.m., it was much more full.

• If you’ve got kids of different ages, bring along some help. Kids of different ages (like the big and little explorer) have different skills, abilities and interests. It’ll be easier to let each child see and do what he most enjoys if you aren’t trying to wrangle multiple kids.

• Don’t try to see it all. The Ecosystems exhibit is just one part of what the California Science Center has to offer. And even after two plus hours with no crowds to contend with, we still hadn’t seen it all! Instead of rushing from thing to thing, stick with something if your kid is engaged. There will be plenty of time for another visit.

The California Science Center is located at:

Exposition Park
39th Street and Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90037
Directions to the California Science Center

This review is based on my family’s personal experience. I did receive any compensation for sharing my opinions. If you have any questions, read my full disclosure policy.