RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – The Science Museum of Virginia features interactive experiences on its second floor, including an animal exhibit and a hands-on workshop space.
The Animal Lab is located in a corner on the second floor.
Visitors can see reptiles and amphibians, including scorpions, beetles, poison dart frogs, and tarantulas.
The exhibit allows visitors to learn about how the animals eat, sleep and live.
“It give us an opportunity to talk about animal adaptations. Animals have whole different ways of surviving, and has some really incredible techniques,” said Timshel Purdum, director of education at the Science Museum of Virginia.
Near the Animal Lab is the Forge, a workshop space equipped with tools and technology including 3D printers and a laser cutter.
“It’s an amazing place where guests can come in and sometimes of the day we do challenges. So we are going to test your brain to try to solve a problem and give you an opportunity to iterate. Try it again, because that’s how engineering and science works,” Purdum said.
Small groups of any age can participate in workshops led by Forge Facilitators. Workshop topics include bookbinding, quilting, felt stuffed animals and stained glass. Participants complete projects and take them home.
“So we might do quilting, we might do make a felt stuffed animal, we might do stained glass but they give you a little taste of what it’s like and then hopefully we hook you, and you’ll be come a member and comes back and our member open-making and you can spend time working on your own personal projects. It’s a great space,” Purdum said.
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