Sunday, March 30, 2008

The Big Aquarium and the Big Science Center

Howdy.

During the break, we went to the Boston Kid's Science Museum (something like that). They had a bubble room where you can make bubbles around yourself and on hoops. There was a golf ball room. Roll the balls down tracks, make your own track, and test out jumps with golf balls. Magnifying room: look up close at cat hairs, tea, sugar, and flys' wings. There's a microscope attached to a computer screen, so you can see your finger, shirt, or pen up really close.

There's one big play thing that's hard to describe. There are wavy wooden panels held together by this ropy stuff. You can crawl around, on, and under panels that make up a play area four stories high! However, you have to watch your head. Bonking it hurts.

One section of the center was dedicated to a healthier lifestyle (KidPower). You can power little bicycles with your hands, which power parts of the amusement. There's a light dancing thing, where you stomp on the lights in different games. A rock climbing wall, side to side and a basketball court make up some more fun.

Third story: Rooms focused on different things. There's a water room, exploring boats and testing currents. A room with games (checkers and other board games). There's even a light screen with butterflies on it. Your shadow shows on the screen, and the butterflies with flutter and come onto your shadow. Very interesting.

All right. Now to the aquarium. Lots of different fish in their thousand-gallon tank, fron sharks to manta rays. There are segments dedicated to penguins and seals, and others to electric eels. Lionfish and stonefish are some of the most dangerous fish to humans. Electric eels hardly ever produce charges strong enough to kill humans. More fun facts and trivia.

They have a touch tank, with the regular. There are sea stars, sea slugs, sea cucumbers, and those prickly balls with spines. It's warmish water, which is what these animals live in in the wild. Finally, there's the all-time favorite...seaweed. :)

I think that the most awe-inspiring thing is the set of whale bones that are in the aquarium. These things are EXTREMELY HUGE! It takes up an entire wall - or it would, except that it's hanging. Probably a larger whale, though not a blue whale. Not large enough.

Quote of the Day:
"The worst prison would be a closed heart."
- Pope John Paul II (1920 - 2005)

I hope you enjoyed the tour of the marvels of science. Happy days!

DAVID

2 comments:

Susan, Susie, Suz said...

David,...this is an excellent summary of your trip (even though I got the Reader's Digest version from you yesterday). I'll be back to check up on your adventures!

Marilee said...

what a great idea David, to start your own blog. Just don't forget to do your homework, this blogging can be addictive. You are a very good writer.