Exhibit Descriptions
Ocean Bound! Below are descriptions and photos of the completed exhibits. Watch for six more exhibits coming Spring 2012!
Cluster 1: Using Science to Understand Watersheds
What's a Watershed?
Move a "rain cloud" over 3-D terrain to see how water cascades down mountains, into valleys, collects in rivers, and flows to the ocean. Use the camera for a closer look at how water moves over land.
Flow or Settle?
Flip 5 clear tubes containing water with different materials (plastics, oil, sand, gravel, and trash). Some materials float and are easily transported downstream. Lift the panels to learn about how substances travel to sea.
Underwater Adventure!
"Pilot" a life-size "submersible" from mountain stream to ocean, discovering aquatic life and habitats along the way. Spin the dial for eyepopping HD underwater footage: frame-by-frame, slow motion, or at super-fast speed! Where are you in the watershed? Check the animated map on the monitor.
Wildlife Close-up
Want to learn more about the animals and their habitats? You or a buddy can take a seat at this Biologist's Station inside the "submersible." Choose "bubbles" on a touchscreen for spectacular video & fun facts about 65 aquatic life forms encountered on the journey from mountain stream to ocean.
Cluster 2: Recognizing Threats to Watersheds
Tied to the Sea
Enjoy HD videos of marine life (sea turtles, dolphins, horseshoe crabs, fish, and coral reefs) and learn the importance of a healthy ocean. Lift the panels to learn more about how we depend on our ocean and its resources for medicine, jobs, oxygen, and much more.
Storm Drain Downers
Colored balls cascade down tracks and tubes in this interactive ball machine, mimicking how water and pollutants flow down stormwater drains and into waterways. Turn cranks and flip paddles to divert pollutants (colored balls) and let clean water (blue balls) travel to the "ocean."
Guide Water Safely to Sea
Guide a water drop (blue ball) through a maze on its journey from land to ocean. Beware of hazards: Mined Metals! Oil! Fertilizers! Animal Poop!
Cluster 3: Finding Solutions to Watershed Problems
Science Saves the Day
River otters had vanished from much of their habitat; after waterways were cleaned up, otters made a successful comeback! See them eating and playing in HD video; then learn how biologists captured, examined and reintroduced otters to their original habitat in this success story of watershed recovery!
Dead Zones
Find out how ocean dead zones are created by fertilizer runoff that makes oxygen levels too low to sustain most aquatic life. Then discover how dead zones are reversible.
Giant Ocean Garbage Patches
Read and interact with flip panels to learn about the gigantic North Atlantic and North Pacific garbage patches created by trash that has washed downstream and into the ocean. Garbage in the ocean harms marine animals and birds--find out what you can do to help!
Cluster 4: Implementing Change
Riverside Clubhouse
Duck into a Riverside Clubhouse! Explore the Watershed Warriors exhibit, then curl up and enjoy illustrated books about watersheds, aquatic animals, and conservation.
Watershed Warriors
Interact with this kid-friendly touchscreen to discover which behaviors are bad for watersheds and ocean health, in both rural and city settings. How can YOU be a good Watershed Warrior?
