Why Chris Farber Is Excited for the New Exhibit at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

We're so very fortunate to have the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in the Port of Dubuque.

While me and my son, Jacob, always have a good time together, it's a way my son can have an educational experience at the same time. Jacob loves the otters and the stingrays, and their new exhibit really plays to his favorites. Splash and Bubbles: Dive in, Lend a Fin! features some of your favorites from the popular PBS Kids television show as they help visitors explore ocean science and marine biology.

According to the museum website, visitors can "navigate an under-the-sea maze in a kelp forest, explore a sunken ship that has become an artificial reef, interact with puppet characters created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, become a Reeftown Ranger to learn to protect the ocean, and more." Not only does the exhibit teach basic STEM concepts, but it also encourages scientific inquiry and social-emotional skills.

I could see the exhibit not only being entertaining for toddlers and elementary school children, but also sparking some family conversations later at home. We don't live by the ocean, but some of our everyday practices affect the aquatic life near us.

Splash and Bubbles: Dive in, Lend a Fin! will be at the River Museum from May 15 through Sept. 19, included as part of the regular admission. I encourage you to plan a trip today; all the details are available on the River Museum website here. We visit frequently, and it's always a great place to bring family and friends who are visiting from out of town.