Field Trip to the Bell

Can you tell what this is? Any ideas?

Would it help if you could touch it? Well, you can if you go to the Bell Museum on the U of M campus. The workers will not outright tell you what it is, but will give you clues and information to help you figure it out.My professor brought our science class on a field trip to the Bell two weeks ago. Then, independently of my class trip, my friend asked me if I wanted to go with the kids. I jumped at the chance to go with friends and my kids. We packed everyone up, and had a wonderful time.

We enjoyed the dioramas by Jacques. Some of the finest in the world. It is truly impressive how he blends the ground into the painting. Sometimes it was difficult to see where the painting actually began.

We also got to take a nap in a bog.

So nice and squishy and oh so restful!

We spent most of our time in the Touch and Feel room. Actually, we LOVED the Touch and Feel room. Small tidbit: this museum was one of the first in the nation to have a Touch and Feel room.

The kids got to play with different bones and animal pelts, horns and antlers. There was even a hawk talon to touch and feel. Our favorite things were all the living snakes, bugs, turtles and salamanders to observe and touch.The kids had the very patient museum worker take out every single animal.Andrew especially enjoyed the burrowing cockroaches (when they were in the cage). I guess there were hundreds of them in this cage. The guy was nice enough to open the cockroach cage and Emily got to hold one. After this picture, Emily promptly dropped it. Luckily it landed in the cage.

In case you are still wondering, the first picture is of an elephant skull.
Aren't we are all the smarter now that we have been to the Bell Museum.

By the way...I was told by a credible source that everything comes alive at night at this museum. Anyone up for an overnight adventure?