Just 20 minutes long and within a theatre style environment (housing 80 comfortably) the show is performed by the Life Science Explainer team. Although enjoyed by adults, the show is primarily aimed to arouse children's curiosity about their environment. By learning something of 'ice' itself and how it exists in its natural state on earth allows the actual experience of touching and skating on it, as part of a day trip to the Centre, to be wholly enjoyable. *
This particular show helps children learn about the world's low temperature zones and how different animals live and survive on the ice. It follows the seasonal flight path of the hardy Arctic Tern who will fly 12,000 miles from the top to the bottom of the world. It does this twice a year, after breeding in the early spring in the northern hemisphere (Farne Islands, Canada, Russia and all along the Northern European coastline) then flying south, in our winter, to find another summer in Antarctica in the southern hemisphere.
Children can learn which different animals the tern is likely to see, fly over and come into contact with during this epic journey . . . the reindeer in the far north as well as the walrus and the Orca whale . . . ending with the Emperor penguin at the 'bottom' of the world in the Antarctic.
The Science Explainers tell the story in a fun engaging manner with the use of hand puppets, models and simple experiments to show how unique (with differing physical and behavioural characteristics) all these creatures are, to ensure their survival on ice.
Answers to how penguins keep their chicks and eggs warm on ice as well as how their bathroom requirements are met are humorously presented and there's a serious side too . . . the show explores the latest developments in satellite tracking and explains how scientists can now track and monitor penguin colonies and climate changes.
*Best value 'Combo' family tickets allow a visit to the Life Science Centre and its theatre, motion ride and planetarium attractions, as well as an hours skating session with free skate hire. The price for a family (1 adult + 3 children/2 adults+2 children) ticket is £28.95. For enquiries, call Life Science Centre on 0191 243 8223.