Ed Venture

Today saw us being dropped off by George at the Columbian Museum complex which included a children's hands on, interactive section called Ed Venture. It could easily compared to the Science Centre in Brisbane but aimed at a slightly younger audience. It includes not only the hands on activities of Brisbane but many more interactive activities.

The front foyer is adorned with a huge three storey 'Ed' that the children can play in like an oversized play gym. Each level has a basic rendition of that part of the body for example the top was the head, brain, ears. The next level the stomach. The girls had a wonderful time playing in the contents of his stomach!! This was a minor part of the area. There were two storeys of hands on interactive activities that were designed to appeal to different ages. Some rooms were even specifically designed for under threes. The displays were very vast and spread over the many subjects areas.

There was a room on Africa which included music, geography, everyday life (you got to ride a static motor bike carrying chickens) The music section involved short circuit video which filmed you playing drums with tradition alAfrican people.

There was a dentist surgery which enabled you to clean a (somewhat smaller) Ed's teeth, look at dental xrays and learn about general dental health. There were similar health areas where you could check your blood oxygen levels, weight, bloodpressure, see xrays & learn about bones and bone structure, look at the degestive system and see how it works on screen along with a multitude of other displays.

Other interest level displays included a supermarket that the children could shop in with piece of 'fantastic plastic' that they could then use in the remainder of that section to complete activities and earn 'money' that helps them learn about money and budgeting in a family. There was a car that was filled with petrol, a farm with tractor and milking cow, a snow scene with snow balls, slides, ice fishing and snow. A hockey field with carpet skates. A fire engine and emegency services display. A real (or maybe very realistic) car, tractor, and fire engine were on display that the children could climb into and sit on.

There also was a room filled with wonderful works of art that the children could interact with and even be photographed in.