Harry's Big Adventure: My Bug World! Exhibit February 4, 2012

The Maryland Science Center will open its doors for an insect invasion when it hosts Harry’s Big Adventure: My Bug World! , a multisensory experience that immerses visitors into the world of bugs by introducing them to thousands of live insects.

Hosted by Harry, a Chinese praying mantis, and his insect friends, Harry’s Big Adventure: My Bug World! takes visitors on a unique journey through the habitats, sights, sounds and social structures of some of nature’s smallest, yet most important, contributors.

Harry’s Big Adventure takes guests on an educational journey around the world through six distinct zones to see how insects impact their surroundings, the environment and ultimately human lives.

Water Habitat – Insects found in swamps and waterways are at home in the Water Habitat, where guests can become a part of the insects’ world through a half-sphere bubble underneath the aquatic environment.

Forest Habitat – Visitors can immerse themselves among the trees in the Forest Habitat, where they’ll meet ants, millipedes and termites.

Meadow Habitat – Virtual butterflies fly throughout the Meadow Habitat, landing on guests’ shoulders and fluttering away as they move and dance in front of a projection screen.

Croplands – Visitors can experience the sights and sounds of an insect swarm and learn more about why these swarms are so important for insects – and potentially threatening to humans.

Bug Art – Guests can express their creativity by building their own bugs, making a rubbing of insects found throughout the exhibit or drawing their favorite character from Harry’s Big Adventure.

House Habitat – Kids can don a Terminix hard hat for a pest inspection mission to find common home invaders, including bed bugs, roaches and rodents.

Special weekend programming, hosted by trained entomologists from the Audubon Insectarium, allows guests to get up-close-and-personal with the stars of Harry’s Big Adventure: bugs!

Under the Bug Top – Every weekend, the Harry’s Big Adventure exhibit comes alive with interactive games and competitions. Visitors can see how far they can spit a cricket, pick their favorite roach in the Roach Race, get to know the insects better in the Bug Petting Zoo or even try an insect delicacy cooked up by the Bug Chef.

Harry’s Big Adventure: My Bug World! will be open during regular museum hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Please note special weekend programming.) Entrance to the exhibit is included in museum admission. For ticket and admission information, call Maryland Science Center at 410-685-2370 or visit www.marylandsciencecenter.org for more information.