June 28, 2006

Museum, Sea Center, Botanic Garden, and Aquarium real county treasures for summer learning

Anyone looking for science-related outings to help children stay interested in learning over the summer should remember that the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Maritime Museum at the Harbor, the Ty Warner Sea Center on Stearns Wharf, and the Aquarium at Cabrillo High School in Lompoc are just a few of our county’s true local treasures.

At the Museum of Natural History, children seem to love interactive exhibits with computers and all the interesting exhibits. The Maritime Museum on the wharf in Santa Barbara is another must-see over the summer, filled with true wonders to behold, as is the Ty Warner Sea Center on the wharf. Children are intrigued by the exhibits and collections available at both. The Botanic Garden on Mission Canyon is also a wonderful outdoor learning adventure, as is the Lake Cachuma Nature Center.

In Lompoc, the Aquarium at Cabrillo High is available for community visits as well.  Its warm and cold water reefs, its splash tank, and its numerous exhibits offer fascinating glimpses into sea life of all forms.

We are fortunate to have these local treasures available. Be sure to visit and to take a young person along with you. Visiting these resources helps keep children’s minds active during long breaks from the classroom and it helps kindle their enthusiasm for acquiring knowledge about their surroundings.

The wonders of science have always been a sure way to hook learners of all ages into the power of knowledge about the fascinating world we share.