“Water” & “Animalopolis” coming to Fernbank Museum October 2, 2010

Two interesting new features will be available for guests’ enjoyment starting this weekend at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History for a limited time.

“Water”

The “Water” exhibit, running October 2, 2010 through January 9, 2011, is a wet and wonderful telling of the many ways water is essential to our lives and our world.

Kids will enjoy the many hands-on displays, including one that shows how a dam is controlled and another that shows the effect neighboring water wells have on each other. There are plenty of other interactive stations throughout the exhibit to keep minds stimulated and engaged.

Everyone will marvel at the looming examples of water-carved slot canyons. There’s more than a thing or two to learn about humans’ and animals’ dependence and adaptation to water, and after experiencing this exhibit you just might find yourself more committed to conserving water, too. Two IMAX films focusing on major water systems, “Mysteries of the Nile” and “Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk,” will be showing from October 2, 2010 through January 9, 2011 as well.

If your kids need science fair or even social studies fair project ideas, a visit to the "Water" exhibit will have them brainstorming in no time.

Fernbank admission cost is $15 for adults; $14 for students and seniors (age 62 and up) with identification; $13 for children age 3-12. Kids under age 2 are free, but still must have a ticket. Check out some of the special deals here.


“Animalopolis”

"Cute" may be the best word to describe “Animalopolis,” the IMAX film about animals and their world, which opens October 2, 2010 through December 26, 2010, at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturdays and at noon and 1 p.m. on Sundays ("Animalopolis will only be shown on weekends).

Throughout the film, narrators tell animals’ stories in rhyme; the creative use of the camera to get animals to do some zany antics (picture a lion singing opera) is another frequently-incorporated technique.

Teens and adults may prefer some of the stunning location shots, fascinating facts and cool real-life footage (the scores of crimson crabs scrambling about, for example) over the chuckles.

The bottom line: funny, light and at only around 30 minutes long, “Animalopolis” is the kind of IMAX experience smaller children will probably sit through – parents will love that. The other reason it’s great for little first-time IMAX guests: as you view it, there aren’t sudden, swooping aerial turns and dips that might make you feel dizzy or overwhelmed as in some other IMAX presentations. For this, some grown-ups are likely to appreciate “Animalopolis,” too.

IMAX tickets are $13 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, and $11 for children 12 and younger. Free tickets for children ages 2 and under are available as space allows.

For other shows at Fernbank's IMAX Theatre, click here.