Piranhas Everywhere
Want to take a boat ride down the Amazon River? I know, I know, it would be great except for the a) bugs, b) snakes, c) prohibitive amount of time it would take you to get there and back (though you don’t have to actually take the boat TO the Amazon).
Fortunately, you CAN head down the Amazon River if you are in Denver anytime between now and January 2, 2011. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is hosting the exhibit: Amazon Voyage: Vicious Fishes and Other Riches. This is an awesome opportunity to learn about the world’s largest and most biologically diverse river.
Ariella: Anaconda--New Name Game Variation?
The exhibit itself is fairly condensed, but chock full of fun, interactive elements which are great for kids and adults of all ages. From checking out the stomach contents of a giant catfish, to learning about the wide variety of piranha species, to seeing real live freshwater stingrays and Amazonian cockroaches (fairly large, but VERY cool), AND seeing how much an 18 foot long anaconda weighs—this bilingual exhibit offers a balance of interesting information, experiential learning stations, and beautiful artifacts. (Plus you get to learn ALL about the 7 Perils of the Amazon right before Halloween–shivers!)
After the exhibit, I realized a “Swimming With The Pink Dolphins” All-Day Trip would be right up our alley–but, I admit, there are some logistical (andperilous) challenges. After careful consideration–and a long talk about transportation limitations with Julie and Mike–(tubes are NOT recommended on the Amazon), we have determined we will NOT be offering any variation of this particular adventure as next summer’s new Long Trip.
Tubing Down the Amazon?...Um, maybe not.
So during the long, cold winter days ahead, plan visit The Denver Museum of Nature and Science to have your own personal Amazon River adventure—and when you practice the steps of the samba in the exhibit, you will definitely warm yourself up, too!
Authors Note: I would like to thank Mile High Mamas and the Colorado Chapter of Mom It Forward for organizing and promoting a great preview evening of the exhibit. The museum itself provides innumerable enrichment opportunities for children to engage with their sense of wonder through outstanding, interactive displays and exhibits.
The museum just received a 3.27 million dollar federal grant from the National Science Foundation to fund a program called Urban Advantage
Some of the Mile High Mamas after our Amazon Boat Ride
Metro Denver. UA Metro Denver is a collaboration between urban public schools and science-based cultural organizations designed to improve science literacy among middle-school students. Entities involved in this community partnership include: The Denver Museum of Science and Nature, the Denver Zoo, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Public Schools, Aurora Public Schools, and Adams County School District 14.
Congratulations!
It seems strange, but I have actually fished for (and caught) piranhas. They are just as strange looking as you would think – with lots of teeth – but much smaller than I would have thought. What a cool experience to be able to see this type of exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science!