More than 60 freshwater fi sh, turtle, frog and snake species
are found at the center, including the world's largest captive
common snapping turtle, aptly named "Big Snap Daddy"
(see sidebar on page 36). A working beehive is also on
site.
"My favorite part was seeing all the smaller fi sh you
usually don't see or catch," said fi fth grader Thad Doble from
Papillion during his visit. "It was also really cool to step into
the bubble and see fi sh from diff erent points of view."
The "bubble" that Doble referred to is a display in the
center's aquarium section where visitors can step into
an area and feel like the water completely surrounds
them, off ering an even more personal perspective to
view Nebraska's native fi sh species. "Even when things
are behind glass," said Rogers, "we tried to get a sensory
experience happening to them."
The experience, as on-site aquarium biologist Tony Korth
said, takes about one to two hours to get through for a
family. But he and the educators aren't expecting the center
to be a one-visit type of attraction.
"We wanted about 20 percent of the center's displays
permanent and about 80 percent interchangeable," said
Rogers, "so there is always a new experience for visitors."
"We want to see what our audience wants," added Schiltz.
"There is a lot of blank canvas at the center. We want to
off er a menu to our visitors. Depending on grade level, and
what students are learning at the time, we want to have our
own curriculum they can choose from. Since the fi rst day
the center opened, I just can't stop smiling."
Neither can the visitors.
The woodland play area offers interchangeable displays for visitors.
34 Nebraskaland • June 2019
