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The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is bringing a touch of Cook Children\u2019s imagination and magic to the newly renovated TCU Children\u2019s Gallery, set to reopen on March 7.<\/p>\nThe Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is bringing a touch of Cook Children\u2019s imagination and magic to the newly renovated TCU Children\u2019s Gallery, set to reopen on March 7.<\/p>\n
Since 2009, the Children\u2019s Gallery has been a favorite stop for children exploring the Museum, inviting them to learn through playful, hands-on activities and exhibits. The reimagined TCU Children\u2019s Gallery features the same immersive experience but with a new touch of whimsy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter more than a decade of play, we wanted to reimagine the Children\u2019s Gallery for a new generation of learners by updating the physical environment, incorporating modern experiences, and creating a space that feels fresh, inclusive, and connected to our community,\u201d said Karla Hernandez, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History Marketing Manager. \u201cThe goal wasn\u2019t to replace, only to refresh and elevate the experience for the children of today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Where the Future Begins<\/p>\n
The Children\u2019s Gallery is a space full of possibilities for curious minds. Anchored by an otherworldly spaceship and launch pad play area, it welcomes visitors to explore Fort Worth\u2019s Cowtown culture and imagine the city\u2019s promising future. The space is drenched in bright colors and features a fantastical facade of Fort Worth\u2019s most notable landmarks, like Texas Christian University\u2019s iconic Frog Fountain, Amon G. Carter Stadium and Cook Children\u2019s Medical Center.<\/p>\n
As children and their caregivers move through the gallery, they will explore and experience displays such as a theater, train station, homestead, marketplace, hospital and more. Children can don costumes and play with props in each display as they learn about the community and all of the possibilities that exist for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal was to design a space that feels immersive, optimistic, and open-ended,\u201d Hernandez said. \u201cWe wanted children to move naturally from one experience to another, creating their own story and way of playing. The layout encourages curiosity, independence, and collaborative play, allowing children ages 0 to 8 to engage with the exhibit pieces and other children at their own pace.\u201d<\/p>\n
Magical Moments at the Museum<\/p>\n
In a nod to its 108-year history of improving the health of Fort Worth\u2019s children, the interactive hospital display is marked by the signature blue peaks of Cook Children\u2019s Medical Center. In this space, curiosity powers imaginative play as children experience the world of wellness.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis gallery is inspired by the people, places, and culture of Fort Worth and Cook Children\u2019s has been a trusted partner in our community for many years,\u201d Hernandez said. \u201cHaving them represented in this space invites children to explore the world of medicine and imagine themselves as the future caregivers of our community. Experiencing a playful version of Cook Children\u2019s will help make hospitals feel less intimidating and create a sense of comfort for families\u201d<\/p>\n
Cook Children\u2019s Child Life department helped imagine and design the Cook Children\u2019s exhibit, with the goal of bringing the medical center to Museum visitors and the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis project was an opportunity to be creative and collaborative, and to dream up something special for the Museum and, more importantly, the kids who will play in and explore the space,\u201d said Katie Campbell, Cook Children\u2019s director of Family Support Services. \u201cPersonally, I love the Museum, and my boys spent tons of time in the space as little guys, so I know the importance of the gallery and the imagination it created.\u201d<\/p>\n
Peaks the Dragon on Display<\/p>\n
A colorful mural depicting Cook Children\u2019s Teddy Bear Transport and beloved mascot, Peaks the Dragon, serves as a backdrop for the exhibit and its play zones.<\/p>\n
In the exam room zone, children can dress up in a lab coat and pretend to be a doctor, and get a whimsical look at themselves in the floor-length giggle mirror. This area also features a countertop and faux sink, just like in a real exam room. Toy medical tools, such as a stethoscope and thermometer, allow make-believing children to check vital signs.<\/p>\n
In another zone, children can pull up a magical medical chart on a 55-inch touchscreen, similar to a shopping mall directory. By opening the chart, children are empowered to discover six of the body\u2019s major systems, like the circulatory and respiratory systems, for example. Funny and engaging animations illustrate the function of each system as museumgoers tap through a browsable diagram of the human form.<\/p>\n
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In the center of the Cook Children\u2019s exhibit, a wooden MRI scanner play set invites children to explore the world of medical imaging. Visitors can recline into the play set or place a doll or stuffed animal. With the push of a button, the scanner simulates the looping lights and sounds of a typical MRI machine, plus a few silly and musical audio effects. From there, kids can step over to the digital imaging viewer to get an up-close view of stock x-rays and scans.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlay is a child\u2019s work. It is how they explore and learn,\u201d Campbell said. \u201cThe opportunity to \u2018play\u2019 with hospital equipment, learn about parts of the hospital, and lay the foundation for emotionally safe experiences around health care and wellness are crucial to helping kids grow into a positive relationship with wellness and health care as grown-ups. It\u2019s important to talk to kids about what happens at the hospital before they need to visit one, and this exhibit allows kids to become comfortable and familiar with the hospital in a stress-free environment.\u201d<\/p>\n