Suggestions On How Wonder Rotunda Can Be Used In The Classroom
Overview
The Wonder Rotunda is a virtual, educational theme park designed to open the eyes of youngsters to the wonders of our world, much the way world’s fairs and expos did for prior generations. It is designed to get kids thinking about our world, finding things that they're passionate about, and exploring how they might make their mark some day. To read more about what makes Wonder Rotunda unique in the world of internet education, click this link.
It can be used by students individually, or in a group setting.
Please send us an email at contact@wonderrotunda.com to inquire about special pricing for school use.
While the adventures are based upon an extensive list of sources, they are not intended to be comprehensive, nor are they based upon a particular curriculum. We introduce children to a variety of subject matter through adventure, entertainment and game play in the hope that they will discover new interests and passions and seek to learn more about topics they find of interest.
Each adventure takes 15-25 minutes to experience, depending how often the user probes more deeply for information.
Teachers that have experienced the Park, have suggested that it be used to introduce a new subject to a class, or as a supplement to traditional curriculum materials. After they experience an adventure, students can appear on "live TV game shows" to test their newly acquired knowledge by answering questions from a pool of more than 400 questions. Game show questions can be answered collectively by the class. The class can "vote" for the answers they believe are correct.
Children as young as 7 and as old as 12 have found the adventures stimulating and game play challenging. That said, every class and child is different. Please take the "Park Tour" on the home page "TV set" and then, visit the Park and experience its adventures, to make sure it is appropriate for your needs.
The Park encourages kids to probe. At various junctures youngsters are prompted to "learn more." They can use these opportunities, or choose to move more briskly through their adventure. Captions are provided for those who need them for the narration that accompanies each adventure.
List of Current Adventures at the Wonder Rotunda:
Join a research expedition at the North Pole to learn how scientists are studying climate change and what can be done about it. Youngsters explore the evidence of climate change, learn about alternative energy sources, and what they can do to reduce their own carbon footprint.
Take an exciting submarine ride through the human digestive system to learn about the body’s digestive process and each of the organs involved including the salivary glands, stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, small and large intestines, among others.
Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef to learn about coral reefs and marine life including Green Sea Turtles, Box Jelly Fish, Stingrays, Parrotfish and the Giant Maori Wrasse among others.
Take a hot air balloon, African safari in the Serengeti to learn about the animals of the Great Migration, including the Big Five of Africa. Visit the Ngorongoro Crater and Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Travel to the Moon aboard Apollo 11, help guide the command module through the maneuvers of the actual 1969 mission and learn about the International Space Station, the planets of our solar system, comets, asteroids, the galaxies and Universe.
Take a Zip-line Tour through a tropical rainforest to learn about the animals and plant life of the rain forest including Red Eyed Tree Frogs, Blue Morpho Butterflys, Spider Monkeys, Sloths, Marguays, Iguanas and Anteaters, among others.
Conduct a symphony orchestra before a live audience, learn about musical instruments, how the different sections of the orchestra bring a composition to life, and explore the great composers.
Run a business selling Strawberry-Banana Smoothies in the Park while learning about making money, saving, investing and giving to good causes.
Take a trip around the world to learn about the United Nations, and how countries of the world work together to find solutions to global issues such as poverty, climate change, health care and disease.
Take a VIP Tour of Washington, including a meeting with the President of the United States, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Visit and learn about the Capitol Building and many of the famous monuments and museums.
Take a moonlight safari at Kangaroo Island, Australia to learn about marsupials such as Kangaroos, Koalas and Wallabies. The adventure also includes encounters with a Platypus, and colonies of Fairy Penguins and Australian Sea Lions.
Star in a Hollywood movie while learning about scripts, lighting, camera angles, blue screen technique, audio editing and special effects.
Visit the Magic Curtain of the Arts for an introduction to many of the visualand performing arts.
Take a thrilling roller coaster ride to learn about the nutrients and food groups necessary to stay healthy. Using this knowledge, youngsters must keep their avatars energized by making healthy choices at the Park's 12 food stands.
Take a run-away subway car ride to explore how each of us can make a difference in the world. After the adventure, youngsters can purchase and fly blimps over the Park calling attention to causes they feel strongly about.