SONIC SENSATION EXHIBIT OPENS AT KOHL CHILDREN'S MUSEUM JANUARY 17, 2012
Fun, Multi-Sensory Exhibition Allows Children to See, Feel, and Hear Sounds
Glenview, Ill. – Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago, 2100 Patriot Blvd., is proud to present Sonic Sensation, an exhibit designed by the Sciencenter in Ithaca, N.Y., that provides an exhilarating and enlightening way for children to explore sounds through interactive experiences. The exhibit opens on January 17 and will remain at Kohl until May 13.
Sonic Sensation will teach adults and children about the anatomy and physics of how we hear, find out about decibels, amplitude, frequency, pitch, sound waves and what you can do to protect your hearing. Sonic Sensation creates an environment for kids with eleven interactive stations surrounding them with new ways to learn about sounds.
“As we continue our commitment to STEM learning (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and introduce young children to science, we want to offer our visitors another exhibit that is entertaining, interactive and educational,” said Kohl Children’s Museum President and CEO Sheridan Turner. “Sound is a phenomenon that can be mysterious; this exhibit will spark curiosity and provide many opportunities for little ones to discover their own senses can be fun and intriguing.”
The 1,200 square foot exhibition includes activities such as:
• Seeing Sound: Visitors adjust frequency and amplitude knobs connected to big speakers at each end of a clear tube and watch the contents of the tube “dance” in all kinds of interesting patterns.
• Invisible Orchestra: Visitors can wave in the air and dance on a carpet to play notes, while a camera mounted overhead shows them on a monitor. Moving hands and feet into the motion-sensing zones on the monitor plays different sounds.
• Critters in a Cupboard: Hide a cat or a cricket in a kitchen cupboard and ask a friend to find it by listening.
• Hearing Test: Listen to different pitches and test your hearing. Visitors can record their results on a chart.
• Measuring Sounds: Explore playing different notes to discover each sounds’ frequency.
• How Do We Hear? See all the parts inside the human ear with this large-scale model. Launch a billiard ball to show how sound hitting the eardrum sends signals to the brain.
• Ear This! Stand behind the panel and put your best face forward and try on a different pair of ears. This is a great family photo opportunity.
• Match the Sound: Shake a variety of containers, listen to their sounds and then predict what is inside.
• Create a Soundtrack: Add sounds as a movie plays. Choose from a train whistle, ducks quacking and cows mooing.
• High Pitch, Low Pitch: Hit the colored bells mounted on a rotating turntable and sort them into high and low pitches.
• Hearing Safety: See examples of different kinds of hearing protection and learn what can happen if you don’t protect your hearing.
About Kohl Children’s Museum
In recognition for its outstanding exhibits and impact on Chicagoland families, Kohl Children’s Museum was recently named one of the country’s Ten Best Children’s Museums by Parents Magazine. The Museum was ranked sixth out of more than 300 children’s museums nationwide and was the only Chicago area museum recognized.
Offering 17 interactive, hands-on exhibits for children ages birth to 8, the Museum’s mission is to encourage young children to become effective learners through self-directed complex play. Kohl Children’s Museum is located at 2100 Patriot Blvd., in Glenview, Ill. at the corner of Patriot Blvd. and W. Lake Ave. in the newly redeveloped area known as The Glen. The Museum can be easily reached by public transportation, including Pace bus and Metra trains.
For more information, visit the Museum’s website at www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org or call (847) 832-6600. The Museum is open on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Special members-only hours are from Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Admission prices are $9.50 for children and adults and $8.50 for senior citizens. Children under 1 year old and members are free.
In recognition for its outstanding exhibits and impact on Chicagoland families, Kohl Children’s Museum was recently named one of the country’s Ten Best Children’s Museums by Parents magazine. Offering 17 interactive, hands-on exhibits for children ages birth to 8, the museum’s mission is to encourage young children ages birth to 8 to become effective learners through self-directed complex play. Kohl Children’s Museum was ranked sixth out of more than 300 children’s museums nationwide and was the only Chicago area museum recognized.
Kohl Children’s Museum is located at 2100 Patriot Blvd., in Glenview, Ill. at the corner of Patriot Blvd. and West Lake Ave. in The Glen. The Museum can be easily reached by public transportation, including Pace bus and Metra trains. For more information, visit www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org or call (847) 832-6600.
The Museum is open on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Special members-only hours are from Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Admission prices are $9.50 for children and adults and $8.50 for senior citizens. Children under 1 year old and members are free.
