Ideum, an experiential designer of interactive exhibits, has announced that it is working on the transformation of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pennsylvania. Last year, TREC engaged the company to produce an exhibition concept design for the reimagination project, which aims to inspire the next era of environmental stewardship across the Great Lakes region.
This vision includes the addition of new immersive multimedia, family-friendly interactive exhibits, and interpretive natural history, showcasing stories of environmental stewardship. Speaking at the recent press conference where former Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Ridge, and Ideum founder Jim Spadaccini announced the plans, Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary of the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said:
“Who knows which one of the kids who gets their spark at Tom Ridge Environmental Center, will come to influence the future of conservation.”
CXO, Rebecca Shreckengast added: “The goal of TREC’s reimagining is to better serve its existing community audience, who are becoming more digitally savvy, and to attract more visitors to TREC for years to come.”
Engaging exhibits for the whole family
Ideum has designed new exhibit areas for the reimagined space that will provide ways for visitors to TREC to learn about science, technology, engineering, art, and maths in a fun, accessible way, no matter the time of year.
Examples include a new interactive You Are Here map, with an accompanying Digital Docent app. These will help orient guests and assist them in planning their visit to the centre. Meanwhile, the Legacy of Water exhibit allows them to experience a jump across time as they explore the history of the peninsula.
For families with young children, there will be a discovery zone that they can enter from the lower level through a Tree-Canopy climber, climbing to an oversized osprey’s nest or toddler beehive zone. For those who cannot attend in person, there will also be an enhanced distance education studio, designed to bring outdoor education from the park to pupils around the state.
One particular highlight will be Presque Isle at Night a nighttime wildlife encounter that allows visitors to explore what the park is like after dark.
This will feature an immersive projection environment. Guests are placed within nighttime beach and forest scenes and surrounded by ambient sounds as they journey through all four seasons. Wildlife that is resident in Presque Isle State Park will feature, and visitors will be able to discover animals such as turkey, deer, and purple martins by using oversized flashlights. Exploration will reveal content about the animals, alongside information on how to be a good steward.
Earlier this year, Ideum celebrated the completion of several exhibits for a new visitor centre at the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, near Albuquerque in New Mexico.
