Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, July 16, 2024
The second phase of a comprehensive redevelopment at Exscite, the interactive discovery centre at Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato, was unveiled to the public on Friday, July 5, 2024, just in time for the school holidays.
Revitalised Spaces and New Themes
“From prehistoric fossils and pest control to atoms and astronomy, Exscite offers a whole new way of looking at science,” said Liz Cotton, Director of Museum and Arts at Waikato Museum. “This is the culmination of months of planning, dreaming, and making by the Waikato Museum team and our partners. We cannot wait to see the refurbished space full of tamariki engaging and learning in new ways.”
The upper floor of the beloved children’s science gallery has undergone a complete refurbishment and has been renamed ‘Exscite: Taiao’, building on the 2023 renewal of the downstairs space, now known as ‘Exscite: Home’.
Drawing inspiration from the awa (river), ‘Exscite: Taiao’ focuses on New Zealand’s interconnected natural environment, while ‘Exscite: Home’ showcases the integral role of science in everyday life in a fun and approachable manner.
The new exhibition features a range of high-tech interactive activities, including a touch-screen colouring activity where children can create birds that fly in a digital forest. One of the highlights is the 30-million-year-old fossil of the Kaawhia giant penguin (Kairuku waewaeroa), discovered on the Waikato coastline by school children in 2006 and later confirmed as a previously unknown prehistoric species.
An Engaging Learning Experience
“This phase of the Exscite redevelopment has involved extensive research, experimentation, and construction, drawing on many sources including mātauranga Māori (knowledge),” said Ms Cotton. “The scientific concepts underpinning the exhibits have been developed in alignment with New Zealand’s school curriculum, ensuring Exscite provides an engaging space for learning outside the classroom.”
Ms Cotton praised the efforts of the museum staff, noting, “The effort from our kaimahi (staff) has been unparalleled. Most of what you see here has been built by our Museum team, who have created the majority of the interactives from scratch. A huge thank you to everyone who helped us on this journey, especially the team at Datacom and the Exscite Trust.”
Exscite originally opened at Waikato Museum in 1996 as the region’s first science centre for children. The facility will remain open while the rest of Waikato Museum is closed for renovations from July 22, 2024 to December 2024.
Activities Galore on the New Exscite Floor
Be among the first to check out the renovations at Waikato Museum’s Exscite. This interactive centre is full of hands-on activities for children of all ages to discover and learn while having fun. Keep an eye out for the eel swimming around.
A young visitor, 12-year-old Maia Thompson, shared her excitement, “I love coming to Exscite. The new exhibits are so cool, and I cannot wait to bring my friends to see the giant penguin fossil and the interactive forest.”
For more information, visit waikatomuseum.co.nz/exscite.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
