The Montshire Museum of Science forges and empowers lifelong learners through engagement with science.
The Montshire Museum of Science is an interactive science center in Norwich, Vermont, with more than 150 hands-on exhibits relating to the natural and physical sciences, ecology, and technology. Outdoors, visitors can explore nature trails and exhibits on wind, water, and sound in David Goudy Science Park. Visiting exhibitions, educational programs, and special events are offered throughout the year.
The Montshire Museum of Science is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that is supported by admission, membership, grants, and charitable contributions.
National touring exhibition featuring Robot Zoo opens in Norwich, Vermont on May 21, 2011
NORWICH, VT, March 15, 2011 — Robot Zoo, the nationally touring exhibition reveals the magic of nature as a master engineer. Visit the Montshire Museum May 21–September 11, 2011, and explore the biomechanics of complex animal robots to discover how real animals work. Robot animals and hands-on activities illustrate fascinating real-life characteristics of animals, such as how a chameleon changes colors and a fly walks on the ceiling.
Machinery in the robot animals simulates the body parts of their real-life counterparts. In the robot animals, muscles become pistons, intestines become filtering pipes and brains become computers.
Hands-on activities that are part of the exhibition include “Swat the Fly,” where you can compare your reaction time to a house fly, and “Sticky Feet,” invites visitors to don special hand and knee pads and try to stick like flies to a sloped surface. Triggering the “Tongue Gun” demonstrates how a real chameleon shoots out its long, sticky-tipped tongue to reel in a meal.
The exhibit is based on the book “The Robot Zoo” which was conceived, edited, and designed by Marshall Editions of London, England. Robot Zoo exhibition is touring major science and natural history museums throughout North America and Europe.
About the Montshire Museum of Science
The Montshire Museum of Science is a hands-on museum located in Norwich, Vermont, offering more than 100 exhibits relating to the natural and physical sciences, the environment, and technology. The building is located on 110 acres bordering the Connecticut River. The Museum’s outdoor environment is a large part of the visitor experience. Science Park is a two-acre outdoor exhibit area in a beautiful, park-like setting and connects to a network of easy to moderate nature trails for visitors of all ages. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.