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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 Maritime Museum, and the
Aquarium at Cabrillo High are just three of our county’s true
local treasures.
At the Museum of Natural History, children seem to love the space lab
interactive exhibit with computers. The Cartwright Hall of Plant and
Insect Interaction and the Bird Diversity Hall also appeal to young
people eager to investigate and absorb some natural wonders.
The Geology and Paleontology Hall shows a complete skeleton of a pygmy
mammoth. It is made from casts from the original, which is the only
complete skeleton known to have been found. The Chumash Indian Hall
and Mammal Hall are also extremely interesting sites. The blue whale
skeleton at the entrance is very popular with young people, as are
the reptile exhibits featured at the Lizard Lounge. A nature trail
with explanatory signs wanders through the creek-side grounds. And,
of course, the planetarium is one of the major attractions.
The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum located in the Santa Barbara Waterfront
Center is another must-see over the summer. In the Gail Berkus Children’s
Area, children can learn about our maritime heritage and the sea in
a creative way that’s also fun. On hand are a wide variety of
art materials, colorful soft toys and furniture representing sea animals,
boats, and other objects. Maritime storytelling and costumes, knot-tying
stations, games, and educational computer programs are featured as
well. In the Brooks Model Gallery, children can see a fascinating collection
of intricate radio-controlled model boats. The Channel Islands Exhibit
describes the histories of six of the eight Channel Islands: San Miguel,
San Nicolas, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa, and Anacapa.
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. Three touch tanks give visitors an opportunity to interact with
different animals found in the sea and intertidal areas. You will find
sea urchins, sea cucumbers, sea hares, sea stars and a variety of crabs
living here.
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.
For more information: Aquarium at Cabrillo High at www.cabrillo-aquarium.com;
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum at www.sbmm.org; and the Santa Barbara
Museum of Natural History at www.sbnature.org.
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