By Hannah Rice Myers
Connecticut is more than just the fifth state to enter into the union. It is more than home to the oldest U.S. newspaper still in publication today. It is more than the home to the first hamburger and its importance goes beyond its state song of "Yankee Doodle." Connecticut offers many educational activities for the children in its state. These activities help them learn in a nurturing environment that is also fun and rewarding.
Dinosaur State Park
This is a perfect experience for any child who is fascinated with the prehistoric age. The park is open year-round, and is one of the largest dinosaur tracks of North America. Inside the dome, there are dozens of dinosaur exhibits from all of the dinosaur ages. Buried beneath the dome are 1,500 authentic dinosaur tracks that were accidentally discovered in 1966, two years before the park was officially opened. Over 500 tracks are being carefully preserved inside the dome for the visitors to view. Outside the dome, there are over two miles of nature trails to walk in the Dinosaur State Park Arboretum, which showcases more than 250 species of conifers and other replicas of plant families that existed during the Age of the Dinosaurs.
Dinosaur State Park
400 West Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3506
Telephone: (860) 257-7601
Discovery Museum and Planetarium
This is more than your average museum; it is a fun way for kids to grow educationally without even realizing they're doing it. It is three floors of hands on science fun with daily planetarium shows, educational shows and Connecticut's only Challenger Learning Center. In the Planetarium, kids watch the Apollo astronauts taking their first walk on the moon under the simulated night sky. In the Challenger Learning Center, kids can become astronauts, engineers and scientists in either the space station or mission control room as they use their skills to build a probe. And in the Hands on Station, kids will learn how to control mechanical exhibits like magnetics and energy.
Discovery Museum and Planetarium
4450 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Telephone: (203) 372-3521
Beardsley Zoo
This zoo has spent the last 80 years as Connecticut's only zoo. Its commitment is to educating the public about conservation and preservation about the endangered species of the world. The more than 300 animals that call the zoo home are mainly from North and South America. As the kids walk through, they will see endangered species such as the Siberian Tiger, Andean Condor, and the Red Wolf. Inside the zoo, there is a South American Rainforest and a Prairie Dog exhibit. Kids also can enjoy good old fashioned farm animals in the New England Farmyard; animals such as goats, cows and sheep. The Hoofstock Trail is open for visitors to walk along and view animals such as bison and deer. And for the little ones, there is special event called "Elmo's All Grown Up," a special scavenger hunt they go on to find Elmo who is hiding somewhere in the zoo.
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
1875 Noble Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06610
Telephone: (203) 394-6565
About the Author:
Based in Jamestown, Pa., Hannah Rice Myers has more than 10 years of experience as a freelance writer, specializing in the health industry. Many of her articles have appeared in newspapers, as well as "Curing Epilepsy: Hope Through Research." Rice Myers received her master's degree in nursing from Upstate Medical University in 2001.
