Durham, NC, USA — The Museum of Life and Science is proud to announce that Duke Energy, a long-time partner in funding interactive learning experiences, has invested $75,000 through the Duke Energy Foundation in the Climbing Higher Campaign to build two new outdoor learning environments: Hideaway Woods and Earth Moves.
Opening in summer 2015, Hideaway Woods features a two-acre nature-based playscape with experiences designed to encourage movement, exploration, and early science learning skills. Highlights include a tree house village suspended 15 to 20 feet off the ground,living twig and sapling structures designed by artist Patrick Doughertyfor hands-on imaginative play, and aplay space designedto support early childhood development.
Earth Moves, currently in development and planned to open in 2017, is a hands-on exploration of earth science. Visitors will understand the forms and forces that shape the earth as well as how humans use the earth. Visitors will use real excavators, build and climb giant sand piles, learn how water works in a free standing waterfall, explore erosion and more.
“This investment from Duke Energy will benefit hundreds of thousands of children and families each year in learning about science and engineering in the best way possible – through hands-on experience”, said Barry Van Deman, president and CEO, Museum of Life and Science.
Indira Everett, district manager for Duke Energy, commemorated this most recent investment by touring the site to see construction progress on Hideaway Woods. “Duke Energy’s gift to the museum is an investment in our future workforce,” Everett said. “These creative play environments foster a love of discovery learning that can lead students to a life-long passion for science and engineering.”
The Duke Energy Foundation has a long history of investing in the Museum, including gifts to help build Magic Wings Butterfly House, sustainable installations including the solar hot water heater for the Museum’s café and electric car-charging stations, as well as annual fund support for the Museum’s mission of embracing science as a way of knowing.
For more about the Museum’s newest expansion and the Climbing Higher Campaign visit: http://lifeandscience.org/