It’s a bug’s world, and a new exhibition at the Perot Museum is about to show you why. These creepy critters are actually geniuses “whose extraordinary adaptations inspire cutting-edge human innovation”—and kids and adults alike will be gob-smacked by this immersive look into their lives.
“Bug Lab”—an exhibition developed by New Zealand’s Te Papa national museum and the five-time Academy Award-winning Wētā Workshop—opens this Saturday, June 28, at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in downtown Dallas and runs through January 4.
A scene from the “Bug Lab” exhibition coming to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in downtown Dallas. [Photo: Mike O’Neill]
To transform how you look at insects, “Bug Lab” highlights their genius-level capabilities through dramatically larger-than-life models and interactive learning stations, with insights from leading entomologists. The result? “An unparalleled opportunity to experience the world from a bug’s perspective.”
From swarm intelligence to brain surgery
A scene from the “Bug Lab” exhibition coming to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in downtown Dallas. [Photo: Mike O’Neill]
“Precision flight, swarm intelligence, even brain surgery—insects offer us a template for technology and innovation,” Dr. Linda Silver, Eugene McDermott CEO of the Perot Museum, said in a statement. “With a blend of science, wonder, and interactive learning that aligns with the Perot Museum’s mission to inspire minds through nature and science, ‘Bug Lab’ will change how people perceive these tiny creatures by showcasing their remarkable adaptations and what humans can learn from them.”
Humans have taken a page out of a bug’s book by applying lessons learned from insects to solve some of the world’s toughest problems, the museum said, and the exhibition lays a lot of that out for you.
A scene from the “Bug Lab” exhibition coming to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in downtown Dallas. [Photo: Mike O’Neill]
“Bug Lab” attractions include, per the Perot:
:: Immersive Bug Chambers that recreate detailed environments, allowing visitors to experience firsthand the remarkable abilities of various insects, from the lightning speed of dragonflies to the lightning-fast reflexes of mantises.
:: Interactive Adaptation Stations where visitors can test their skills against those bugs through engaging, hands-on activities that demonstrate the complexity of insect behavior and capabilities.
:: Hands-On Labs where visitors can examine actual bug specimens and learn cutting-edge bug science and bio-inspiration through hands-on interaction.
Family friendly: A scene from the “Bug Lab” exhibition coming to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in downtown Dallas. [Photo: Mike O’Neill]
The museum says “Bug Lab” offers things with multigenerational families in mind so children, parents, and grandparents can explore together, “engaging with the fascinating world of insects through age-appropriate activities and displays.”
“The Perot Museum is dedicated to creating exciting experiences that fascinate learners of all ages,” said Perot Museum Chief Learning Officer Drex Owusu. “The teams at Te Papa and Wētā Workshop have created an unparalleled exhibit that is bold, cinematic, and immersive—and that will teach its human visitors as much about themselves as it does about bugs.”
A scene from the “Bug Lab” exhibition coming to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in downtown Dallas. [Photo: Mike O’Neill]
“Bug Lab” is supported in part by Visit Dallas and the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.
The exhibition is supported in part by Visit Dallas and the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture.
For more info including tickets, parking, and museum hours, you can go here.
More looks at ‘Bug Lab’
[Photo: Mike O’Neill]
[Photo: Mike O’Neill]
[Photo: Mike O’Neill]
[Photo: Mike O’Neill]
[Photo: Mike O’Neill]
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