Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow
Run! Jump! Fly!
Creative Discovery Museum opens new Adventures in Action exhibit
“Run! Jump! Fly! Adventures in Action” — a new, interactive exhibit that promotes a healthy lifestyle — opens at the Creative Discovery Museum on Saturday, Sept. 30. The traveling exhibit from the Minnesota Children’s Museum will remain here through Jan. 15.
Run! Jump! Fly! Adventures in Action encourages children ages 5 to 12 to exercise while having fun. Even children as young as 2 can participate in many of its activities.
Jayne Griffin, the Creative Discovery Museum’s director of education, said the exhibit builds physical strength and confidence.
“Creative Discovery Museum presents exhibits that allow children to do what comes naturally … move,” she said in an email. “Research shows that physical movement is good for growing bodies and brains and ‘Run! Jump! Fly’ gives children of all ages the opportunity to be successful with all kinds of physical challenges.”
Each of the exhibit’s components showcases action adventure scenes that highlight physical challenges related to balance, strength, coordination or cardiovascular endurance.
Surfing and Snowboarding focuses on balance. It tests how long participants can remain on a balance board. The activ- ity comes with a video that takes riders through pine trees and past lakes as they snowboard down a mountain.
Kung Fu Forest tests coordination. Visitors enter a clearing in a bamboo forest and begin the kung fu session with a bow to show the three principles of kung fu: strength, peace and respect. Three lantern posts display instructional images of kung fu animal stances – “ready” positions inspired by the rooster, the snake and the tiger.
After visitors try the animal stances, they can push a button to trigger a sequence of lightbox imag- es that guide them from still poses into a flow of action.
Climbing Canyon challenges strength. It includes four different trails of varying skill and ability levels to safely explore a cave holding a hidden treasure.
Flycycle Sky showcases endurance. Visitors sit on stationary bikes with wings or propellers. Each bike faces a cloudshaped panel. A star lights up in the sky for every few wheel rotations.
Action Star Training center provides challenges of balance, strength, coordination and cardiovascular and muscular endurance through simple activities like yoga that kids can do at home.