New Exhibits Open at U.S. Naval Undersea Museum

SILVERDALE, WA, UNITED STATES

09.14.2018

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jacob G. Sisco 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

The new exhibits are an interpretive exhibit entitled Search, Spy, Rescue, Recover: Navy Vehicles Under the Sea, as well as an interactive, educational space entitled the Family Learning Area.

Retired Navy Commander Darlene Iskra, the first female commanding officer of a U.S. Navy ship, USS Opportune (ARS-41) was among the first visitors of the new exhibits. “They are really amazing,” said Iskra. “The family learning area is very imaginative. It is easy to see that a lot of research went into the exhibit to incorporate STEM and encourage children to interact with the displays.”

The new exhibits were put together entirely in-house. More than a year went into creating the new exhibits and they will remain on display for multiple years. Valerie Johnson, director of education at the U.S. Undersea Museum, worked with a network of museum educators throughout the Puget sound, drilling down to the core of what will be the most engaging and most effective for people who come into the museum.

“I think more than anything it is important to me that the space is designed to evolve,” said Johnson. “The challenge tiles can be updated at anytime, the space can be redesigned to fit more tables or more kids depending on the activity. Everything is designed to evolve.”

The family learning area will allow younger learners to have the opportunity to get creative on the submersible design board, take a sneak-peek at artifacts not on exhibit, handle 3D-printed models, and engage with their caregivers through books and activities.

Search, Spy, Rescue, Recover allows visitors to view historic artifacts, interactive display screens, and look at imagery of undersea vehicles. Among the artifacts to be displayed are a 15-foot-long remotely operated vehicle named CURV III, a micro autonomous underwater vehicle called Ranger, and several pieces of equipment from different naval undersea vehicles.

According to their website, “The U.S. Naval Undersea Museum, in Keyport, Washington, is one of ten Navy museums located throughout the country that interpret the Navy’s rich history. For more than 25 years, the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum has explored the undersea Navy’s innovations, achievements, tragedies, and lessons learned. The museum strives to connect veterans, active-duty Sailors, and our national audience with the history, technology, and operations of the undersea Navy. Through artifacts, exhibits, and educational programs, it tells the stories of the exceptional people and cutting-edge technology that define the Navy’s undersea communities.”

• Date Taken: 09.14.2018
• Date Posted: 09.14.2018 16:45
• Story ID: 292905
• Location: SILVERDALE, WA, US