David Becker/Special to the Sun
From left, Aryana Smukal, Steven Smith, Katie Buckels and Jordan Smith stroll through the Green Village display during a field trip from Green Valley Christian School at the Lied Discovery Children’s Museum Tuesday. The new 3,500 square-foot mini-city has an environmentally friendly focus that includes exhibits with lessons in everyday living and environmental sustainability.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 | 6:47 p.m.
Map of Lied Discovery Children's Museum
Green Village
WHAT: Green Village exhibit
WHERE: Lied Discovery Children’s Museum, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North
WHEN: Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
COST: $8 adults, $7 children
INFO: 382-0592 or www.ldcm.org
Jamie Bielich's first graders at Green Valley Christian School already knew about recycling. They already knew that they could help save the earth by sorting plastic, aluminum and paper. Who doesn't?
What they didn't know before visiting the Lied Discovery Children's Museum's new Green Village exhibition on Tuesday was that the sun can provide energy for homes. And that artificial turf is made from tires.
It was the third hands-on lesson the 6- and 7-year-olds have had on the environment. They have been to the Springs Preserve, which has a green exhibit, and they have had a representative of Republic Services come talk about recycling. It has made the children aware about how they affect the world around them, Bielich said.
"They are obsessive about recycling," she said. "They are always looking at the bottom of bottles for the recycling symbols and saying, 'Hey, this can be recycled!'"
The Green Village is a new feature at the children's museum that transformed the Everyday Living Pavilion into a lesson in sustainability.
The exhibit provides a miniature city, with a state Capitol, NV Energy office, airport terminal, mechanic's garage, plumbing exhibit, bank and grocery store. Children are encouraged to play at several careers and given environmental tips along the way.
Abigail Johnson took wheels off and on a car, did an oil change and fought a fire. Nadia Voelkening went through the airport, made a trip to the bank and flew an airplane.
Both went shopping at the Smith's in the exhibit.
"It was amazing," said Michele Voelkening, Nadia's mother. "They were learning but they were playing. It was hands-on learning."
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