Tigers Exhibition: Tracking a Legend at Pier 17, South Street Seaport

Today was a wonderful day in New York City. Earth Day in NY has been warm and sunny and cheerful. A freshness of Spring is back in the air. We even experienced some April showers for a brief moment, but not too long after the sun was shining bright again.

I made my way downtown. Specifically to Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport. I was joining a group of 7th and 8th graders from Garden School in Jackson Heights. Also joining the group were three Girl Scouts troops from Staten Island, which was an extra treat as today was Girl Scouts Leaders Day.

And we were all there to experience Tigers Exhibition: Tracking A Legend. For the first-time ever in New York City this wonderful exhibition opens on April 24, 2010.

I loved that I had the opportunity to walk through it with children of varying ages because I was able to see how they reacted to it all. The high-tech, hands-on components of the exhibit really succeeds in bringing the kids into the world and habitat of the amazing tiger, and in talking to the kids later, it was clear that what they learned and saw here left a mark on how they see and think about tigers.  The stations have various sensory stimulating and fun aspects to them that also serve to educate and inform.

The climbing wall was a fun feature for the kids, and encouraged team work through movement and memory stimulation in order to successfully get through the exercise.

I asked a few of the Garden School students about their reactions to the exhibition and this is some of what they had to say:

“It was great!”

“My favorite part was the climbing wall.”

“The smelling stations are the part I will remember the most.”

“Something new I learned was the ability of the tigers’ night vision.”

“I found you learn a lot about them by actually getting to see how they are in their daily lives.”

One of my favorite exhibits was one where we got to learn about the various sounds and ways in which the tigers communicate with each other. There is an interactive feature there that I loved and thought was a lot of fun.

I also met filmmaker, author, and photographer Carol Amore who took us along each exhibit and spoke passionately about what she observed in the years she spent tracking the Bengal tigers. Ms. Amore explained that they approached the message of conservation on a broader level beyond just addressing the concerns of extinction. The goal of the exhibition, she said, was to stimulate a sense of caring. She explained, “If you can related to your emotions of caring and compassion, you too can have the passion and a purpose to affect change.”

And this seemed to be exactly how the kids were affected. It was wonderful to see them ask questions and be sincerely interested in what they were learning.

With all the touching and playing that kids will do throughout the exhibition, parents need not be concerned about keeping their kids’ hands free of germs. Next to each exhibit is a hand-sanitizer. The idea that one be placed at each station was that of a Dad. This Dad is none other than Craig Peter, founder of CKP Creative, who does marketing for the exhibition. The reason this is important to mention is not only so that you know your kids will be able to stay germ-free, but to demonstrate the level of thought that went into the exhibit , from all those involved, so that every child and adult enjoyed the experience to the fullest.

Tracking a Legend is ideal for those 3 and up. Exhibit information and tickets are available at www.TigersNYC.com or www.Ticketmaster.com (1-800-745-3000 ) For Group Reservations call 1-800-840-1157.

You can follow them on Twitter @TigersNYC and on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/y2t78p7

Located on Pier 17 South Street Seaport, 3rd level, Tigers is approved by Girl and Boy Scout leadership to provide Scout patches towards merit badges. Open daily from Friday-Saturday 10:00am-9:00pm(last entry at 8:00pm) Sunday- Thursday 10:00am-8:00pm (last entry at 7:00pm). Tickets prices range from $12-$17 with group discounts available. Family Packages are available (2 Adults & 2 Children) $46 ($48 weekends). Plan ahead and preorder TIGERS patches, DVDs and books. The exhibition runs from April 24 through January 15, 2011.

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Tags: family activities, nyc
Posted in Museums/Science Centers/Tours | 4 Comments »