Ecotarium offers the 'Secrets of Circles'
By Carol Anne Geary Contributing Writer

Region - Circles surround us, and when my youngest son and I went to visit the Ecotarium's newest exhibit, "Secrets of Circles," on loan from the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, we found them featured in interactive displays that explored the nature of circles with descriptions in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.

One of the interesting displays was of a Vietnamese woven round-boat that children could climb in and get a feel for what riding in one would be like. Other displays challenged children to find circles in nature and manufactured items. Another exhibit had children trying to pull two carts, one to which wheels had been added, to see how this invention changed how easily items could be moved from one place to another.

My son really liked the exhibit in which you could build a small arched bridge out of oversized blocks to climb over and the exhibit "magic wand garden" that allowed you to make concentric circles on a lighted display.

What really impressed me was the number and variety of displays in this exhibit and the way children from tots to teens, and their parents, could be seen having a good time looking at and interacting with the items on display.

This summer the Ecotarium is also featuring the exhibit "The Attack of the Bloodsuckers!" which looks at how these insects are important for our ecosystem.

The Ecotarium in Worcester will also have some special programs this summer including daily canopy walks for ages 7 and older and special preschool programs Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. The Alden Planetarium has daily shows and the Explorer Express offers train rides throughout the day.

Further information on the Ecotarium including hours, admissions prices, directions and special events can be found at www.ecotarium.org or by calling 508-929-2700.