The Stepping Stones Museum in Norwalk, Conn. recently held a special media event to unveil its renovated facility which now offers a new exhibit- Energy Lab. With a focus on renewable energy, this new exhibit is designed to allow children perform experiments with wind, solar and water energy.
Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering helped the museum to create Energy Lab. The Energy Lab allows children to move plastic balls through a maze of tubes and tracking using a variety of energy sources. Water, wind and solar labs educate children on energy generation. Upon entering Energy Lab, children may check in by "scanning" their hands along a platform that activates LED lights on a motion sensor.
“Energy Lab replaced Waterscape and it's all about the science of energy and energy sources. Kids get an understanding of where energy comes from how much is actually used. Through the experiments, children get to see how they may be able to decrease energy usage,” director of content development and evaluation Kimberly Kuta explained in a statement.
“There's a criteria for balancing interactivity and information. Children take on a role. At Build It, they become builders. At Energy Lab, they become scientists,” Kuta further added.
The renovations also include a greatly expanded Tot Town for children birth to 36 months. The new Tot Town has a separate room for infants and other non-walkers. Toddlers will find a large selection of interactive stations in Tot Town, such as a play kitchen, garden, school bus, boat, art studio, dog house, and tree house.
In the event, the museum management proudly announced that the museum itself took those lessons to heart, which they taught to the children. The renovated facility incorporated such energy friendly features as solar panels, wind turbines, energy-efficient lighting, storm-water management, and recycled building materials. It comes as no surprise that the museum achieved prestigious LEED Gold Certification.
Post-renovation, the museum will re-open to the public on Saturday, Nov. 20. It has been closed since mid-August to complete the 22,000 square-foot, $17 million expansion, the museum officials noted.
The museum now has a main entrance and an East Entrance for groups and members. The East Entrance puts visitors near the new Multimedia Gallery, which features an 18 x 12 foot high definition screen, as well as lighting and sound system and video-conferencing. The gallery lends itself to global learning as it can connect the museum to locations throughout the world.
Through a partnership with Creative Connections, visitors at Stepping Stones recently interacted live with children from Guatemala.
“These connections increase children's understanding of the global world and diversity. It enhances their understanding of what it's like to be a kid in another country. That helps to broaden their understanding of themselves,” Kuta said.
The expansion also created more space for old favorites such as Healthyville, Build It, and Rainforest Adventure.
Through an earlier statement in mid-August, the museum authority announced that
throughout the renovation, Stepping Stones will be paying particular attention to the environment. The new LEED Gold certified building will utilize recycled materials and solar energy. The expanded food court will offer organic and locally-grown produce.
Madhubanti Rudra is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Erin Harrison
