Friday, 21st November 2008
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New Science Exhibition Whets Children's Dinosaur Appetite!
A unique science exhibition that encourages early years learning through imaginative play has been launched in Explore-At-Bristol science centre.
Specially designed for children below eight years old, Fossils and Funny Bones draws on children's fascination with dinosaurs to motivate them to acquire new knowledge and skills, while it provides a collaborative environment for children to learn with their parents/carers.
In a poll conducted by Explore, 54% of the families and children surveyed chose dinosaurs and prehistoric beasts as their favourite theme.
According to Lorraine Coghill, Learning Manager, At-Bristol, research shows that young children can develop relatively sophisticated understanding of topics that they find interesting and when that development occurs, they are said to have built an 'island of expertise'.
"These islands are said to develop through active participation in learning rather than inactive absorption of information. Parents and carers play a crucial role in motivating and supporting their children through this development." Says Lorraine.
According to Emma Cook, Exhibition Manager, At-Bristol, "We wanted a topic that would enable us to create an interactive environment encouraging exploratory and imaginative play, using sight, sound, touch and questioning language. Dinosaurs and fossil hunting scored highly with both our younger visitors and the parents."
"Fossils and Funny Bones hopes to offer the opportunity for parents/carers to help young dinosaur enthusiasts build their islands of expertise. The space is designed to actively involve parents/carers in their children's learning process throughout, by means of setting challenges and joint activities." Emma adds.
Fossils and Funny Bones is split into different colourful themed areas and includes role-play, physical play, a storytelling space and interactive investigation activities. Children can venture from an immersive prehistoric world, complete with its own dinosaur costumes and storybook, into a cave and then on through a fossil finders lab to a big dig, where they can dig up and examine the remains of prehistoric creatures.
Accompanying the exhibition is a series of interactive activities presented by the Explore's Live Science team members. In 'Dino Deeds', children get to make dinosaur footprints, ammonite art and uncover why cockroaches are so amazing!
Children will also get to participate in the presenter-led 'Dino Unearthed' show, which will bring them back in time to an era when the dinosaurs roamed the Earth as they find out fascinating facts about these popular creatures from the past. 'Dino Unearthed' is available on select dates from October.
Fossils and Funny Bones is being exhibited in Explore-At-Bristol until June 2008. For more information see Fossils and Funnybones
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