Transport yourself to the most biologically diverse river in the world, the Amazon River in South America in "Amazon Voyage: Vicious Fishes and Other Riches," this summer at the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News.
Created by the Miami Museum of Science, Amazon Voyage is a great example of how science can be fun: it mixes real scientific research, humor and extraordinary craftsmanship into an interactive installation for all ages.
The bilingual exhibit crosses the fields of art and ichthyology to present science with a sense of beauty and light-hearted humor. In Amazon Voyage, you’ll find that there’s more to piranhas than a great set of chops and a healthy appetite.
"The exhibit explores the lifestyles of an amazing variety of bizarre Amazon creatures like anacondas, electric eels, piranhas, and even pink dolphins," says museum Education Director Chris Lewis. "Exhibit goers will discover just how important the river is to the home and livelihood of the Amazonian people who celebrate the Amazon with rich cultural traditions of song, dance and art."
Through hands-on interactive stations, multimedia presentations and fish-filled aquariums, visitors learn about the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon, encounter field researchers making new discoveries and participate in a celebration of the river. Investigate the scientific, social and economic choices that shape the Amazon’s future. The exhibit is presented by TowneBank and runs through Sept. 7.
Starting with a riverboat, visitors explore the Amazon River’s diverse ecosystems through seven ports of call. See live piranhas; reach into a catfish’s belly to find out what its diet really is; feel the electric shock of a small electric eel; listen to fish sounds, reach into a "muck fish" tank; try on dolphin hats and fish costumes and dance to Brazilian music.
Learn about research into the evolution of piranhas; how marine stingray invaders became freshwater animals; a bizarre leaf litter fish so new to science it doesn’t yet have a name, and how scientists tracks anacondas in the floodplain. And follow a tetra’s journey from the Amazon to an American home aquarium.
The exhibit is filled with the artwork of Ray Troll, including an original mural that features 125 different Amazonian species: furred, feathered, but mostly finned.
The National Science Foundation funded the exhibit’s creation.
In the companion planetarium program, "Kaluoka’hina," two fish must touch the moon. But how? Join Jake and Shorty as they race against time to save their magical reef to save their tropical reef home in this full-dome immersive adventure. Also showing this summer in the all-new digital planetarium theater are Zula Patrol, Laser Retro and Virginia Skies (a look at the current night sky).