Aside from the fact you have to leave Fido, Scraps and Mr. Barksalot at home, it’s hard to imagine an exhibition more appealing to dog lovers.
Just opened at the Great Lakes Science Center, on the lake in downtown Cleveland, “Dogs! A Science Tail” is an interactive experience aimed at teaching you more about sniffing, drooling and panting four-legged buddies and celebrating the bond between human and canine, which a news release from GLSC calls “one of the most successful interspecies partnerships of all time.”
Are we crazy, or have we somehow never heard of such a science show?
“It’s unusual but much needed, right?” says Dr. Kirsten Ellenbogen, GLSC president and CEO, during a recent walkthrough of “Dogs!” “This is humankind’s best friend, and (it’s) taking a scientific view of why dogs are so special, why they have the extraordinary traits and abilities they have. It’s a real treat.
“LIke you said, it’s an unusual topic for a science exhibit, and it’s extraordinarily hands-on and engaging, so we’re eager to have this for a while.”
Created by the California Science Center, it seems like a natural fit for a time of year when families spend more time together and folks burn some vacation days. Was grabbing this thing now akin to trying to wrestle a Cabbage Patch Kids doll away from another shopper back in the day?
“We did a little bit of negotiating, but it was worth it,” she says. “We’re so excited to have it here for the holiday season. It’s the perfect family trip — everyone’s going to love it.”
What grabs your attention upon entering the exhibition space is a station exploring how long humans have been domesticating dogs — at least for 30,000 years and maybe as long as 100,000, Ellenbogen says — with fossil samples on display dating back about 12,000 years.
“This is an excavation of a human and a dog buried together,” she says. “(The exhibit) takes you through understanding how do we know that’s not a wolf? How do we know it’s domesticated? (It looks) at the genetic side of it, looking at the archaeological side of it and bringing those together.”
Soon after, though, you can dig your nose — literally — into the fun stuff. “Dogs!” is designed to allow guests to experience how dogs see (poorly!), hear (differently!) and, yes, smell (quite well!).
At an exhibit regarding the latter area, you put your nose up to a vent to smell a few different scents as dogs would experience them before revealing to yourself what you’ve been inhaling.
Conversely, you may be surprised by the split screen that shows just how poorly dogs see compared to their masters. (Some research at home, after the visit, suggests that, along with the lack of depth in TV images and that smells aren’t evolved, explain why dogs are rarely interested in what’s happening on your flatscreen.)
As for hearing, a station aims to illustrate why, when a dog hears something of interest to it, it may tilt its head to pick up more. It’s not just some behavioral quirk.
Young visitors who adore dogs will learn about careers they may wish to think about that involve the animal, and a few family members can compete in a game of “Jeopardy!” — er, “Jeopawdy” — hosted in a video appearance by the late Alex Trebek in which the clues involve famous dogs from movies and TV shows. (We did well until Final Jeopawdy. That last clue? Paw-lease.)
At another station, you can tap into your inner Dr. Dogenstein and put together an inanimate pup from various parts.
Feel like a quick workout? Time yourself in a sprint to see how you compare to various dog breeds, as well as to legendary Jamaican runner Usain Bolt, who is faster than many but lags well behind the greyhound’s doggone impressive 44 mph.
And while Mr. Barksalot has been left at home to guard the castle, he need not be even temporarily forgotten. Dry-erase boards allow guests to write about their dogs, while another station allows for an individual or group to record a brief video about what makes their dog great, which others will then be able to view. In another area, you can upload a photo of your dog from your phone.
While the exhibition is very colorful and kid friendly, Ellenbogen promises it won’t be ruff for grown-ups.
“I know we’ll have plenty of adults come through here because they want to see the ‘Dogs!’ exhibit,” she says. “We’re expecting that we’ll have more than the usual adult-only groups come through.”
What about events coordinated with area dog-related organizations?
“Stay tuned for special announcements on that,” she says.
“Dogs!” is included with regular admission to GLSC, and most, if not all of the exhibition, is in Spanish, as well as English.
Of course, not EVERYONE loves dogs, so is a science-of-cats exhibition in the center’s long-term plans?
“There may or may not be a staff group lobbying for that,” Ellenbogen says, “but I’ll leave it at that.”
‘Dogs! A Science Tail’
Where: Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave. Cleveland.
When: Through March 30.
Admission: Included with general GLSC admission — $19.95, adult; $14.95, ages 2 through 12; and free for members.
Info: GreatScience.com or 216-694-2000.
Little heroes
In conjunction with the new traveling exhibition “Dogs! A Science Tail,” great lakes science center has brought back the movie “Superpower Dogs” to its huge screen in the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater.
“‘Superpower Dogs’ is an immersive, giant-screen adventure that puts the spotlight on the life-saving ‘superpowers’ and extraordinary bravery of some of the world’s most amazing dogs!,” states a news release from the attraction. “In this inspiring true story narrated by Chris Evans (an actor who knows a thing or two about being a superhero!), we journey around the world meeting remarkable dogs who save lives and discover the powerful bonds they share with their human partners.
“There’s Halo, a rookie puppy training to join one of the most elite disasterresponse teams in America; Henry, an avalanche rescue expert in the mountains of British Columbia; Reef, a Newfoundland lifeguard with the Italian coast guard; Ricochet, a Californian surf legend helping people with special needs; and the bloodhound brothers Tipper and Tony who are leading the fight to save endangered species in Africa.”
The movie plays daily at noon and 2 and 4 p.m. through March 30. Tickets are $5 when combined with general GLSC admission or on their own for $10.95 for adults and $8.95 for youth.
Details: GreatScience.com.
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