Come make a splash with us as you and your children enjoy our Water Education Exhibit!
This exhibit highlights how the Rocky Mountains supply water to our state and community through the Kingsley Dam, Platte River, and other water channels in Nebraska and also includes a new floor and wall-to-wall mural.
The table creates an experience where children of all ages, along with their caregivers, can learn about water conservation and uses throughout the state of Nebraska as well as what makes central Nebraska unique. This large, curved water table displays the Rocky Mountains as Nebraska’s water source. The table includes raining clouds, a hydroelectric dam, irrigation pivots, Sandhill Cranes, and the North Platte and South Platte Rivers. Guests can visualize the flow of water ways and manipulate the water flow, seeing its impact on the rest of the environment.
The Water Education Exhibit promotes education in the areas of water conservation, farming, science, and technology. The water cycle is vividly displayed on the wall graphics along with an eight minute video on different types of irrigation. Visitors can engage with the environment and be educated, while enjoying a fun and interactive experience. The Ogallala Aquifer is represented by showcasing its underground water source directly under an irrigation pivot on the table. This area is unlike any children’s museum water exhibit in the area.
“This is a special opportunity to showcase our amazing Nebraska environment in an educational and engaging way,” said Traci Winscot, KACM Executive Director. “ALL ages are going to love playing in this space and will also be learning something new as they interact with the table, irrigation video, and vinyl wall graphics.”
“The new water exhibit not only highlights our great state but youth will also notice features unique to our community which we hope will educate, familiarize, and excite them,” said Ellie Schroeder, KACM Exhibits Committee Co-Chair. “This exhibit is sure to be a hit for all ages.”
“Funds, grant writing, and brainstorming for this exhibit started in 2018, so this is a very large transformational project of this exhibit. There is tremendous effort that goes into getting an exhibit refreshed, updated, or renovated,” Winscot said. “We strive and work very hard to keep our exhibits relevant and exciting for our members. Our water table was one of the oldest exhibit pieces that we had as it was purchased in 2005. It has been well-loved over the past 16 years. Since this was the largest exhibit renovation we have ever done, it has taken multiple years and lots of fundraising and research to make it happen. We are grateful for a dedicated team of employees, volunteers, and community supporters to make it happen.”
This zone renovation would not have been possible without these generous monetary sponsors: Anonymous, Ron & Carol Cope Foundation, Peter Kiewit Foundation, Reinke Manufacturing Co., Inc., COVID-19 Community Betterment Grant, 2018 Give Where You Live Donations, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, Parker Hannifin Foundation, Pinnacle Bank, City of Kearney Lottery Trust Fund, Farm Credit Services, First National Bank (FNBO), Jason & Tiffany Shuda, Heartland Surgery Center, BD Construction, Buzz’s Marine, & Eaton Corporation. In-kind contributors include Jeff’s Plumbing, Isaac Construction Concrete Cutting, Kearney Concrete, BNS Concrete, and South Loup Electric.
Exhibit photos: Tara Jean Photography
Check out the Exhibit transformational video here!
