Located in beautiful Balboa Park, the San Diego Natural History Museum, now referred to as the NAT, is the most recent host to the traveling blockbuster exhibit Ends of the Earth: From Polar Bears to Penguins, on view now through April 15, 2012.

In this multi-dimensional exhibit, viewers can explore the unique expanses of the Earth’s polar regions, and learn about the differences in landscapes, native animals, and climates. Slip on a penguin suit and learn how to waddle and slide, run animations of ice movements, compare your weight to that of a polar bear, and learn about the current and forecasted trends in animal populations and climate changes of these fragile polar regions; whatever your age or interest, there is something here for everyone.

This expansive, multimedia experience was curated for the NAT by Professor of Biology, Emeritus at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD, Gerald Kooyman, Ph.D, who has studied the behavioral, physiological, and anatomical adaptations of Antarctic marine animals for more than 30 years.

As well as being able to enjoy this interactive exhibit, museum goers can also learn about the ecological studies that are being performed in these two areas. Alongside Ends of the Earth, the museum is proud to have Working on Thin Ice: 25 Years of Research in Antarctica on view through April 15, 2012. This exhibit features striking photographs of Antarctic wildlife and landscapes taken by scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Written by Tracey Schmechel