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W. H. Over Museum of Natural and Cultural History |
| South Dakota's largest natural and cultural history collection! |
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W. H. Over Museum of Natural and Cultural History |
| South Dakota's largest natural and cultural history collection! |
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| Full participation by the visitor is the goal of the
Discovery
Room. Laid out in islands and drawers are things that reflect
the natural world which the visitor may play with and study. The
room is developed to be a self-help area with involvement of an adult necessary
only upon request of the student.
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Equipment on hand to enhance the skill level of participants,
for example, includes a microscope, magnifying glasses, books, and a computer.
For the small fry there is a reading and drawing center with lots of paper,
crayons, and rubber 'foot' prints. In the dinosaur corner, plastic
models encourage the younger children to creative play.
 People
can touch models of footprints of gigantic creatures that roamed the Great
Plains as well as a thigh bone of the extinct mammoth.
 Some may want to just watch fish swim around in the 50
gallon aquarium and look at the information poster next to it to try and
identify them all.
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Tour groups and many student groups from area schools frequent the Discovery Room during the weekday hours. On weekends, parents and children come together to study and play. It's an opportunity for quality time together. The Discovery Room was originally developed by Allen Schroeder, former director of the W. H. Over Museum. Guided tours of the Museum, as well as special programs in the Discovery Room are available though the docent program. Two weeks notice is necessary. Call the Museum, 605-677-5228, to make arrangements. |
For example, rock hounds can 'dig' for minerals or fossils and then compare
the findings with known minerals.