The Investigation Station is a roving vehicle of innovative, hands-on exhibits and specimens which makes learning through climbing, crawling, seeing, hearing and smelling more exciting than ever. The 37-foot custom-built trailer includes three zones:

• Zone 1 is the Missouri Woodland area, anchored by a floor-to-ceiling sculpted tree and mural. Students can explore flora and fauna of a typical woodland scene, by matching the corresponding magnet animals to their habitat. Also in Zone 1 is a mural of what’s underground Missouri complete with attachable animals. Younger students interact with a vast assortment of naturalistic puppets, learning about physical and behavioral characteristics of animals.
• Zone 2 is the Laboratory Room in which students can study live and preserved plant, rock and animal specimens. This room includes drawers of plant, earth and animal specimens, projected microscopes, computer programs and DVD presentations, as well as several display cases filled with engaging materials. The students sit on crafted tree stumps and wooden tables for their investigations.
• Zone 3 is a replica of a Missouri limestone cave. Students can crawl through and explore the stalactites, stalagmites, animals, insects and rocks that make up a limestone cave. The students also examine a spelunkers’ backpack to further understand cave exploration and ecological protection of this precious resource.

► Click here to see a virtual walkthrough of images