A BEAM installation from EyeClick was revealed on New Year’s Day at the Children’s Museum of La Crosse.
EyeClick specializes in creating inventive products that transform designated spaces into magical experiences.
Located in downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin, the motto of the Children’s Museum of La Crosse is “learning and fun rolled into one.” It is the first hands-on learning environment for children in the region and features three floors of hands-on exhibits.
One of the museum’s missions is to assist the young to grow and learn through interactive play. Exhibits include everything from a climbing wall and operable kid’s crane to a giant pin screen and kid sized convenience store. BEAM is currently located on the first floor of the museum.
Children can engage in motion-activated games using their whole bodies within the virtual playground. Executive Director Anne Snow explained, “What steered us to the BEAM is the fact that it is very hands on interactive, and multiple kids can use it at the same time.”
Historically, the Museum has shied away from technology exhibits because they tend to be breakable and are often not hands-on in nature. However, due to its virtual element, it is not possible for children to break the system. Further, it doesn’t require ongoing maintenance or supervision by a museum employee. These were all elements that made the system attractive to Snow and her staff.
Shortly after the exhibit’s opening, Snow watched a girl with a wheel chair playing the BEAM fireworks game. The girl was shy at the beginning but after a few minutes she rolled out onto the floor and began to interact with the BEAM System.
Snow adds, “It has exceeded our expectations in every way. The visitors love it and the fact that multiple kids can use it at the same time is fantastic. The icing on the cake was seeing a girl with special needs playing on the BEAM floor.”
