CHICAGO—A forest of family fun is “fall-ing” in the Windy City, as the “Exploring Trees Inside and Out” traveling exhibit plants its roots and opens at The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. Presented by Doubletree Hotels and the Arbor Day Foundation, this environmental education outreach project on display through January 30, 2011, offers young children a dynamic and interactive opportunity to explore the beauty of the great outdoors through the incredible wonder of trees.
“Doubletree Hotels and the Arbor Day Foundation have worked together to successfully encourage more than one million kids and adults to visit ‘Exploring Trees Inside and Out’ across America, in the hopes that generations young and old may gain a better appreciation for the importance of trees in their everyday lives,” said Rob Palleschi, global head for Doubletree Hotels. “We hope this exhibit at The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum will continue to inspire thousands of residents and holiday travelers across the Chicagoland area to enjoy fun environmental lessons and activities inside, so they can then explore the incredible natural wonders outside in a whole new way.”
The spacious, 2,500-square-foot exhibit was designed by the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation, and developed with a generous grant from Doubletree Hotels to create a better understanding of the importance of nature among children ages two through 10. A variety of engaging and educational “sensation stations” in the exhibit encourage children to:
• Understand nature and trees from multiple perspectives—climb through the inside of a larger-than-life tree and veins of leaves; slide into a pile of leaves; see light filter through leaves; and hear water move through the roots.
• Experience trees with every sense—uncover the “magic” of photosynthesis; touch bark; smell cedar and cinnamon; hear sounds of animals in trees; crawl through a log; and learn about the habitats of different creatures.
• Recognize the role of trees in our communities—discover how trees are a part of our daily lives; learn how trees enhance our communities; and build creations in the wood workshop.
• Enjoy the forest from a bird’s-eye view—kids can soar over the treetops as a cardinal or role play as a squirrel in a wooded forest via an entertaining “green screen” experience.
“The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum provides locals and tourists with the best of both worlds—the opportunity to experience nature in an educational and memorable way in an urban setting,” said Deborah Lahey, president and CEO of The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. “‘Exploring Trees Inside and Out’ allows even our youngest guests to connect with nature through play.”
Opportunity to Learn About Nature Up Close
Celebrating more than 150 years of science exploration and education, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is the teaching and learning center of the Chicago Academy of Sciences. Today, the Nature Museum continues the academy’s tradition of education about nature in Chicago, research, and conservation through participatory exhibitions and programs, education outreach, and ongoing scientific activity. The museum’s distinctive experience includes extensive involvement in schools and classrooms, and the opportunities for visitors to learn about nature up close. The museum is one of the city’s best examples of eco-friendly building technology with lush outdoor nature trails and habitat, green roof, rain barrels, and solar panels.
This is the ninth and final location for this one-of-a-kind “Exploring Trees Inside and Out” environmental education touring exhibit, which has traveled to some of America’s top science centers, children’s museums and botanical gardens. Doubletree has been the exclusive national sponsor of “Exploring Trees Inside and Out” with the Arbor Day Foundation since the traveling exhibit tour began in Seattle in February 2008.
Go to Doubletree.
