Two new interactive exhibits at a Columbia museum will be using Duck River to teach children the importance of conserving power and water.
Sara Evans, executive director of the aMuse’um Columbia Children’s Museum, said the new exhibits are sponsored by Columbia Power and Water System and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Evans said the first exhibit depicts the Duck River Dam and shows how water from the Duck River flows through local water plants and into area homes. She said the exhibit also has a slide, ladder and bridge for children to climb on as they learn about the water treatment process.
The second exhibit is a “smart house,” which demonstrates the uses of solar panels and teaches families about energy efficient habits to employ at home, Evans said.
“This is our first climbing exhibit we have on site,” Evans said. “We are lucky to have a lot of wonderful volunteers help out with our exhibits.”
Evans said the exhibits are a fun way to teach students about energy efficiency and water treatment systems with a local flair.
“We didn’t have anything about energy efficiency or the Duck River before this, and those are two important things to teach kids,” she said. “The museum theme is the community, so it was a natural progression to add the Duck River and Columbia Power and Water.”
Evans said adults can learn from the exhibits as well.
“I learned a lot about the partnership between Columbia Power and Water and the TVA,” she said. “I didn’t know that CPWS was a customer of TVA before this exhibit.”
CPWS General Manager Wes Kelley said he hopes the new exhibit educates the community on the importance of water and power.
“I hope that the smart house and old Columbia dam encourage our community’s young children and their parents to think about their use of electricity and water,” he said. “Most people simply flip a light switch or turn on a faucet without thinking of all the critical infrastructure required to deliver these resources to our homes and businesses.”
TVA General Regional Manager Jimmy Allen it is important to start teaching children about conserving water and power early on in life.
“TVA believes in partnering with our local power companies on projects that help educate and inform the communities we serve,” Allen said. “These exhibits are a great way to help us spread the word about how electricity is made and delivered to your home, and how people can help use energy wisely.”
Evans said the museum relies on donations and contributions from the community, and she said she hopes the museum can partner with both CPWS and TVA again in the future.
“Mr. Kelley, the CPWS staff and board, and TVA have been wonderful partners in the design and implementation of these exhibits, and we look forward to continuing to partner with them for special projects and events having to do with the exhibit,” she said. “The partnership of CPWS and TVA is a great testament to both organizations’ commitment to our community and to the education of our children.”