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August 1, 2008

In this entry: quotes, warm up questions, discussion questions, resources

VIDEO SUMMARY:
0731_museum.jpg
This video report gives a tour of the exhibits and green building design of the new California Academy of Sciences museum in San Francisco.

The museum includes a simulated four-story high rain forest, coral reef, and exhibits for penguins and insects. The building uses energy efficient technology, including a living green roof to keep the building cool and recycled blue jeans as insulation in the walls.

The goal of the new museum is to use creative and realistic exhbits to engage visitors and make them passionate about the natural world.

QUOTES:
"We're using science to grow the coral. We're using chemistry. We're using biology... And then we're using art when we present it to the public." Bart Shepherd, Aquatic Biologist, California Academy of Sciences

"Fundamentally, what we want to do is convince people of our passion for the natural world and get people to share our passion for that little ant, that bird flying in the rain forest, that shark swimming in the lagoon."- Chris Andrews, Aquarium Director, California Academy of Sciences

"Ants are wonderful, and they're really important in the ecosystem. In fact, if you tried to remove all of the insects like an ant from a forest, the forest would collapse."- Brian Fisher, Entomologist, California Academy of Sciences

WARM-UP QUESTIONS
Do you like going to museums, aquariums or zoos? If you had to design a museum what would you want in it?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Do you think the California Academy of Sciences museum accomplished its goal of creating an engaging museum? Why or why not?
What is your opinion of wildlife exhibits as a way to increase awareness of protecting animals and their habitats? How successful are zoos and aquariums at making that connection?
What is a "green" building? Are there any in your community? Do you think green buildings are important, why or why not?

RESOURCES:
Transcript of this report

Interactive tour of the new building

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