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There’s no limit to what kids can do in TINKERTOY: Build Your Imagination, a new interactive exhibit at Southland Mall, near its Center Court available free through January 26.
The 1,500 square foot exhibit, targeted to children ages 3-10, was developed by the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum in collaboration with GE and PLAYSKOOL®, the infant/preschool toy division of Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS). Giant replicas of the classic TINKERTOY construction set provide the framework for fun, educational activities inspired by GE technologies that turn imagination into working solutions to real world challenges.
“Southland Mall is very excited to offer such a classic childhood experience to its shoppers and their children. Everyone is encouraged to visit the exhibit during the holidays and, also register to win his or her very own set of TINKERTOYS,” said Dawn Becker, General Manager.
The exhibit will be open daily for visits through January 26. Southland Mall is encouraging school groups with an interest in a STEM based field trip to reach out and inquire about reserved times. For more information, call (985) 876-4765 or visit www.southlandmallonline.com.
Visitors to the exhibit will enjoy a variety of activities that promote imagination and collaboration:
The Welcome Gallery – The Welcome Gallery celebrates the 95th anniversary of TINKERTOY through a retrospective of the toy’s history, and highlights GE technologies that improve communities around the globe every day.
Invent – Children are encouraged to think about where ideas come from, and to explore the emerging field of biomimicry – nature’s influence on design. Visitors can match real inventions with their natural inspiration and create a design of their own.
Collaborate – Dual-sided panels allow visitors to work independently or with a partner to create TINKERTOY designs.
Energize – Children can explore GE’s commitment to renewable energy as they use a kid-powered fan to test their own wind-powered TINKERTOY creations.
Change – A Rube Goldberg-like contraption illustrates the power of creative thinking and how simple mechanisms work. The activity lets children select and position words to build silly – but thought-provoking! – sentences that serve as the springboard for innovation.
Process/Connect – TINKERTOY-inspired equipment lets children explore the concept of filtration, while a companion activity invites them to build ball tracks that illustrate how GE technologies help address the challenge of providing clean water. Finding the correct path through a graphic maze answers children’s curiosity about “Where does the water go?”
Develop – Visitors will enjoy filling a life-size human form with TINKERTOY hubs, providing a great photo opportunity and revealing the elements of a healthy lifestyle – and emptying the piece is fun, too! A special rotating TINKERTOY hub array inspires children to consider the impact of their personal choices, highlighting one of our most important responsibilities: taking care of ourselves so that we can do anything!
Create – This open play area reserved for children age 3 and older features a spectacular assortment of TINKERTOY pieces – the perfect place to build their imagination. Pictures of remarkable TINKERTOY creations and special tips provide guidance and inspiration.
The Tinker Tank – A walk-in size replica of a TINKERTOY canister is the starting point for the exhibit’s challenging scavenger hunt, a must for those with an eye for detail and a nose for knowledge! The Tinker Tank contains a variety of educational materials that attest to the impact of unconventional ideas on some of the world’s greatest – and strangest – inventions, and serve as a reminder that “If at first you don’t succeed…”
