The Zula Patrol Expands Its Mission to Interest Kids in Science with New Museum Program
Emmy-Award-Nominated TV Series is Basis for Weather-Focused Museum Exhibit and Theatrical Dome Show Premiering at the EcoTarium
MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Hesshaus
Communications Manager
shesshaus@ecotarium.org
(508)929-2738
June 2008
(WORCESTER, Mass.) -- The EcoTarium, a museum of science and nature, announced today that The Zula Patrol's traveling exhibit, The Zula Patrol: Mission Weather, and its theatrical dome show, The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather, will be premiering at the EcoTarium in Worcester on June 7, 2008. The Zula Patrol public television series for kids and the related exhibit and dome show were created by Zula USA, LLC. The museum exhibit, which features weather-themed interactive activities, will run through November 30, 2008. The 30-minute digital planetarium show will run indefinitely.
"We are absolutely thrilled to have our museum exhibit and dome show together, introducing children and families to a myriad of new science concepts in a truly fun, colorful and interactive way," said Dr. Deborah Manchester, the Zula brand's creator. "It is absolutely critical, more now than ever before, to build an educational foundation and instill an enthusiasm for science in young people, given this year schools will be required to give standardized tests in science for the first time."
Developed by the brightest minds in science today and produced by the innovative Thinkwell Design & Production Company, Zula's museum exhibit addresses the crucial need to reach children at an early age to spark an interest in science. The compact 1,000-foot exhibition is anchored by six, self-supporting installations that together comprise a glimpse into the wonderful world of Zula. The exhibit features a wide array of interactive activities enjoyable for both children and their parents, including: climate tents featuring temperature extremes from very cold to steaming hot; the opportunity to touch a real cloud; the chance to replicate the sounds made by wind and rain using classic movie sound machines; and many others.
The dome show consists of a 30-minute exclusive The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather feature created in full dome digital format and projected onto a full dome screen. This digital, CG-animated show features the same lovable wacky cast of alien characters from the award-winning public television series, The Zula Patrol, who take kids on a rollercoaster ride across the universe, teaching them critical facts about science and astronomy in an entertaining, comedic style.
Dome Show Story Line
The stalwart heroes of The Zula Patrol are on an expedition collecting samples of weather for Professor Multo's research -- using their loyal pet Gorga's ability to collect and bottle all kinds of weather. But when other members of The Zula Patrol inadvertently hurt Gorga's feelings, he decides to find a planet in the Solar System on which to live. Interplanetary villain Dark Truder, along with his talking toupee, Traxie, takes advantage of the situation to trick Gorga into helping him take the weather from the Solar System planets -- part of his latest nefarious scheme to rule the Universe (and find the legendary Kaboobie Ruby). The Zula Patrol discovers Dark Truder's plan and goes after him -- discovering all about weather in the process, both on Earth and on other planets in our solar system.
For more information about The Zula Patrol: Mission Weather exhibit or The Zula Patrol: Under the Weather dome show at the EcoTarium please visit www.ecotarium.org. For more information about The Zula Patrol please visit www.zula.com.
EcoTarium, A Museum of Science & Nature, offers three floors of interactive exhibits, wildlife habitats, interpretive nature trails, Massachusetts' only digital planetarium, and a narrow-gauge railroad. The museum, located at 222 Harrington Way in Worcester, Mass., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 12 to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors, college students and children ages 3-18. Parking is free. For information, visit www.ecotarium.org, call (508) 929-2700 or email info@ecotarium.org.
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