Animal Secrets Exhibit Opens Saturday at Minnetrista

Where does a chipmunk sleep? What does an eagle feed its young? How do mother bats find their babies in a cave? In Animal Secrets, open May 23 through September 6 visitors to Minnetrista will learn the answers to these questions and more as they explore the hidden habitats and secret lives of forest animals.

"Animal Secrets builds on children's natural curiosity about the world around them and helps foster a sense of wonder about nature," said Amanda Hicks, marketing manager. "The exhibit is designed to encourage family learning and to help young children develop science skills through play and exploration. The exhibit also offers parents tips on how to encourage their children's interest in science."

Animal Secrets is specially designed for children ages 3 through 8, preschool to third grade school groups, and has English and Spanish text panels.

In Animal Secrets, visitors discover nature from an animal's point of view as they explore a stream, meadow, woodland, cave and naturalists' tent. Visitors see the world from an eagle's nest, pretend to be a chipmunk and gather food for the winter, and help a raccoon family escape from a hungry fox! Then, visitors can play the role of a naturalist and discover more about the animals that live in the woods by examining tracks, skulls, fur, bones and other real specimens.

Using imaginative role-play and hands-on activities, visitors can explore Animal Secrets in five naturalistic environments: stream, woodland, meadow, cave and naturalists' tent.

Animal Secrets was produced and is toured by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland, Oregon. The exhibit was made possible with funds provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Additional support provided by the Collins Foundation and Meyer Memorial Trust.

Minnetrista hours: Mon. - Sat., 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sun., 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Admission is FREE to members. General Admission is $4 child/student; $6 senior; $7 adult.

Located along historic White River, Minnetrista includes 40 acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, a modern museum facility, an historic home, Nature Area, numerous sculptures, and a portion of the Cardinal Greenway. Minnetrista serves East Central Indiana with dynamic community activities and exhibits that honor and reflect its natural and cultural heritage. For more information about Minnetrista, visit www.minnetrista.net.


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