Tennessee Aquarium event uses animals to teach kids about backyard wildlife

Tennessee Aquarium will offer opportunities to learn about Southeastern animal species, such as this Virginia opossum, during Backyard Scientist Night on April 6. (John Bamber Photo)
Tennessee Aquarium will offer opportunities to learn about Southeastern animal species, such as this Virginia opossum, during Backyard Scientist Night on April 6. (John Bamber Photo)

With spring's arrival, the world is beginning to reawaken: Dormant trees pop with color and native wildflowers are emerging from the ground.

There's a lot of beauty happening in nature, yet countless digital distractions keep children from noticing. They can't see the forest for their screens.

This "nature-deficiency" is easy enough to cure, says Dr. Brooke Gorman, director of science education at the Tennessee Aquarium.

"By getting (children) out in the world, you can give them a different perspective on their lives and the world around them," she says. "Connecting with nature is important because it helps us feel grounded and more relaxed. It helps us to step away from the screens and really engage with the world around us and with each other."

To encourage this, the Tennessee Aquarium is hosting Backyard Scientist night on Friday, April 6. This celebration of native plants and animals is designed to teach kids how to better appreciate nature around their homes.

Visitors will join experts from the Aquarium's Education Department, along with a few animal ambassadors, for a fun-filled evening focused on behaviors of wildlife found in the Southeast. In addition to making and snacking on a treat, participants will learn how to make their yards more wildlife-friendly and learn about work being done by the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute.

Aquarium staff suggest an ideal introduction to this celebration of native wildlife would be an early-evening screening of Imax film, "The Wild Around You 3D."

The film presents stunning scenes of animals living in and around the home of a typical American family. Using novel techniques - including miniaturized cameras, motion-control rigs, time-lapse and high-speed photography - filmmakers present incredible scenes of amazing natural behaviors.

Backyard Scientist will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. It is free for Aquarium members; $14.50 adults, $9.50 ages 3-12 for nonmembers.

Members can purchase add-on tickets for either the 5 or 6 p.m. screenings of "The Wild Around You 3D" for $8. Nonmember Imax tickets are $11.95 adults, $9.95 for ages 3-12.

For more information about the film or the educational program: www.tnaqua.org.

Upcoming Events