24 05 London, England
We started our second day in London bright and early with a trip to the Science Museum. The Science Museum had numerous interactive learning stations that were entertaining for all ages. We started in the Materials Exhibit. Here there were displays on a variety of materials showing how they protect the body (raincoats, firefighting gear, etc.) and are used within the body (false teeth, heart valves, etc.). We also spent time playing games in the temporary Einstein exhibit. There were many more displays including a history of mathematics, ships, optics, energy, a veterinary history, and a medical history to name a few.
After making our way through the Science Museum we walked to the nearby Natural History Museum. People went through the museum at their own pace, but most time was spent in the Dinosaur exhibit and the Human Body exhibit. The Dinosaur exhibit had dinosaur skeletons as well as moving models of select dinosaurs (T-Rex being the highlight). As you walked through the display, basic information on diet, size, and strength of the dinosaurs was given. There was also commentary on controversial issues such as the warm or coldbloodedness of the ancient reptiles and how/why they became extinct.
The Human Body exhibit was very thorough, covering areas such as cell structure, reproduction, child development, nervous system, hormone response, memory, and perception. Once again there were lots of hands-on activities that got visitors involved.
After we finished at the two museums, we had a free afternoon and evening in London. While there was a wide variety of activities taking place, some of the activities students took part in included: touring Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace, attending an afternoon production of The Mousetrap, spending pounds in the London shops, and feeding critters in a park near Buckingham Palace.
In the evening several people attended plays throughout London. A large group of students attended The Lion King. The costumes were outstanding and the story brought us back to our childhood. Although chilly, we had another great day in London.
Science Museum--Materials Exhibit: Checking out how different materials can be used to fix or replace parts of the body.
Science Museum--Interactive Games: Katie, Matt, and Dane play a game testing their visual response...Matt wins!
At the Science Museum.
More Interactive Fun: Baret, Dane, and Aaron act as doctors for the day delivering antibiotics to an ailing kidney.
Natural History Museum--Dinosaurs: Kristen, Lauren, Aaron, Dane, and Sandra with a Triceratops.
T-Rex at the Natural History Museum: This life-like model moves and growls to the delight of young onlookers.
Human Body Exhibit at the Natural History Museum: Learning about the hormones released in the body when you are afraid (see man falling off ladder!).
Dinosaur in the Main Hall of the Natural History Museum: This large dinosaur skeleton greets visitors as they enter the museum.
Fossilized tree at the Natural History Museum: Baret with fossil of a primitive tree taken from 300 million old rocks in Scotland...guess who's older.