redesign. "People learn by touching things," said Rogers.
"When you get multiple senses involved – hearing, seeing,
touching – you get a more robust learning experience."
The center has a "maker space" where visitors will
encounter design challenges. For example, students might
be instructed to design a bird habitat that accounts for food,
shelter, water and space. Then, the next time they visit,
their challenge will be something entirely diff erent.
"This is probably my favorite spot in the entire center,"
Rogers said. "You might walk right by it and not notice it
… until you see kids. It's a place for them to concentrate, to
critically think about what they want to build and how they
want to build it."
Visitors will also have the opportunity to view scientists
at work in the quarantine area. From a huge window,
guests can watch a biologist give an animal a shot, or see
Nebraska's mussels up close. "We want to off er transparency
to science and technology," said Outdoor Education
Specialist Amber Schiltz. "A behind-the-scenes look. A fi ve-
or six-year-old can watch a fi sheries biologist work and see
their future role models."
Some of the permanent attractions are just as dynamic.
"The Venture Parks concept was to make one of the best state park
systems even better. To motivate and connect today's families,
inviting and enticing future generations to enjoy, experience and
explore the outdoors."
— Jim Abel, Chairman, Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation
Logann Dostal of Gretna views the farm pond tank at the Schramm Education Center.
32 Nebraskaland • June 2019
