By Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media
The inquisitive nature of kids is never ending. When it comes to bugs their curiosity is heightened even more. They find them fascinating creatures and are not afraid to pick them up, study them and play with them. My granddaughters are always picking up lady bugs, rollie pollies and other bugs showing them off in wonderment. So when the ‘Bugs’ exhibit opened earlier this year we had to go. To say they were enthralled with all the various bug species and exhibits would be an understatement.
They loved interacting not only the exhibits but traversing the immersive caves, tunnels and slides that made them not want to leave. We did go visit other parts of the museum including the Egyptian, space, mineral rocks attractions and the very fun play area on the second floor. But at the end of the day when I asked how they liked it all, the said, “good! but grandpa, can we go back to the bugs again?” It was closing time but they are back in town and guess what it is they want to do while they are here? They are already bugging me about going back. If you are looking for something to do with the kiddos, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is a great option, especially with all this rain.
Precision flight, swarm intelligence, mind control … enter the world of bugs. Marvel at their adaptive genius and see if you can match their brilliance. Will you save the Japanese honeybee hive from an invading hornet? Can you spot the orchid mantis before she spears you for her lunch in the secret garden?
“Bugs”, an exhibition created by Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand and Weta Workshop (the creative studio behind the Lord of the Rings films’ fantastical sets), reveals the secrets of insects and arthropods in delightful, dazzling ways.
From immersive activities that get you thinking to hands-on games that get you moving, “Bugs” inspires us to be curious about the tiny-but-mighty creatures among us, appreciative of the vital role they play in the natural world, and energized to help them thrive.
- Iridescent colors on the Blue Morpho butterfly, which is known for its bright blue wings are not created by pigments, but instead by the way light interacts with tiny structures on the Morpho’s wing scales.
- Female Orchid Praying Mantises disguise as flowers to attract prey.
- The domesticated silkworm, which is primarily responsible for silk production that is used in fashion, and more is entirely dependent on humans and has been bred for thousands of years.
- The unique flight pattern of dragonflies continues to inspire engineers all over the world.
- There is a two inches long species of dragonfly that has the longest migration of any insect-spanning up to 11,000 miles which takes them four generations.
“Bugs”: All-ages scientific exhibition running through Aug. 27 at Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. in Denver. Open daily 9 a.m-5 p.m. Entry requires a $7-$9.50 upcharge on top of general admission, $17-$23.
Sensory advisory: This exhibition is a high-sensory environment containing significant lighting effects (including a strobe light located in the dragonfly chamber), sounds and music, and interactive media screens.
Developed and presented by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, working with Weta Workshop
HOURS
Open every day
9 a.m-5 p.m., Most Fridays 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Thanksgiving 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Except December 25
Receiving 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
LOCATION
2001 Colorado Blvd.
Denver, CO 80205
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