Building a Knowledge of Life Sciences

Day number three of Bio-tech the threequeal found us travelling to Durham, NC. There we visited the North Carolina Museum of Life and Sciences. This hands on museum is fun for everyone involved. On the way to our big adventure we stopped at the small farm that has pigs, cows, sheep, and more. We visited with the animals and learned their likes and dislikes. Then we ran around the corner to the butterfly pavilion. There we saw unique plants and insects. Of course there were butterflies everywhere. Red, orange, blue and yellow winged creatures as well as plants for them to hide in, feed off of, and just educate our young. Outside of the butterflies we had the chance to see creatures such as hissing cockroaches, tarantulas and ants. The hands on exhibits allowed for x-ray views, microscopic learning, and lots of noise.

Since we had a few minutes before lunch we headed to the experiential playground to work up our appetites. There we climbed in, up, and around a train caboose. Played hanging steel drums, climbed forts, and just had a good time running and playing like we never had before.

After a hike to the picnic pavilion (which I must admit, the campers were right, it did look like an inverse version of the death star in Star Wars) we enjoyed a lunch of hamburgers or chicken tenders. Bladen county caught up to us at this point and due to the extreme heat of the day we decided it would be best to stay indoors and enjoy the air conditioned part of the museum.

After we trekked back we let everyone explore. There was a room with living reptiles and night creatures. An entire space center, hands on experiments, lessons in momentum, and even the crash test dummies showing what happens when you don't wear a seat belt. We had an afternoon of science, technology, communication and plain old fashioned fun. It didn't seem to take long to get to that time where we had to pack up and head home. We recounted all the fun of the day and talked about tomorrow. All I can say is I hope everyone feels well for tomorrow's trip.