Reviewed by Fiona Bessey-Bushnell
I am not sure who was more excited about the newest temporary exhibit at the Science Museum of Virginia, Be the Dinosaur: Life in the Cretaceous – my sons or me and my husband. This family-friendly and well-balanced exhibit showcases models of dinosaurs, see-and-learn information about paleontology, plant eaters vs. meat eaters, ecosystems, and the strategy of safety in numbers. Simulators where you interact with “artificially intelligent dinosaurs” of the virtual world are truly interactive and pack a punch for both entertainment and education. The focal point of the exhibit is the animatronic triceratops.
As visitors enter the exhibit, timed interactive stations, designed for the visitor to be a dinosaur, simulate what it was like when these animals roamed the earth. Scent markers guide the would-be-dinosaur (YOU!) through terrain, toward sources of food and water. Educational points are effortlessly interspersed, such as the importance of camouflage, areas of danger and visual reminders that your dinosaur stomach is approaching empty or that it’s time for a drink. My 8-year-old quickly got the hang of searching for food and water and which foods yielded a higher nutritional content. My 6-year-old collaborated with another boy about what they needed to do “to win at survival.” The goal is to survive the cretaceous period, and the simulator gives pointers on how to increase your chance of survival.
Speaking of survival – we all know how the story ends. But living in the eye of the dinosaur fosters a greater understanding of their trials and tribulations. Chuck English, director of playful learning and inquiry with the Science Museum, explains, “Historically, people considered a giant skeleton, but by actually being the dinosaur, this perspective allows visitors to have a fresh view of how dinosaurs needed to eat, drink, and respond as a team in their ecosystem in order to survive.”
Toward the end of the exhibit, a mega-sized three-horned triceratops stands nine feet tall and twenty-one feet long from its horns to the tip of its tail (in actuality only three-fourths of the original size). This animatronic dinosaur senses body movement and when no one is nearby, it quietly munches on plants. As visitors wave their arms and move around, the triceratops increases its movement, and roars. It is quite a sight to see and hear. Some younger visitors might be unsure of getting up close and personal with this creature, but a helpful tip to remember is that triceratops were plant eaters, so it has no interest in young science lovers.
There is something for everyone in this interesting exhibit, so visitors of all ages will enjoy. And don’t be surprised if you find it difficult to tear yourself away from the Cretaceous period. Just ask my husband.
Be the Dinosaur at the Science Museum of Virginia is included with museum admission. Tickets are $11 with $1 discounts for ages 4 to 12 and 60+. The exhibit continues through May 11, 2014. For more information, visit, www.smv.org or call 804-864-1400.
