Köln - Cologne Odyesseum

Field Trip!

Several weeks ago, a friend of mine asked if we would be interested in going to Cologne (Köln) with her during the beginning of Spring Break. Cologne is only about 2 hours away by train and has a new attraction to add to it's list of "must dos".

She had been wanting to visit the Odysseum.  It is an interactive science museum filled with fun.

The first area focused on Life and Earth sciences. Here, my younger son and his friends are experiencing the creation of fossil footprints.

So, of course the next thing we would see would be an animatronic dinosaur.

Inside the tree was a computer screen teaching you about genetics. Luckily, it had German and English options, since I am pretty sure none of our family have learned these words yet.

On our way to the next section of the Odysseum we went past this art installation.

The next area we went to was focused on outer space. This had lots information about states of matter, engines and even a computer games that simulated flying a plane. The real show stopper  was the gyroscope chair. Astronaut in training!

The next area focused on robotics. This would have been way cooler of the remote control boxing robots were not out of batteries. However this game, shown below, worked by relaxing your mind. Whoever had the most relaxed mind was able to roll the ball away from themselves and toward to loser.

This robot could simulate emotional facial expressions - with the help of the viewer pressing a button with the expression of choice. I think this one was surprise.

After a snack and playground break, it was off to our last area ambiguously labeled Kinderstadt or  Kid City in English. It was full of fun activities of the scientific persuasion.

This activity focused on selecting the correct levers to color sort the balls.

What kid doesn't love playing with giant gears?

This was one of my son's favorites - solar powered motion.

This ball "levitated" in the air by magic (a fan blowing air).

Paton's head was cut off. Really!

Completing the circuit.

Fun with gravity.

Reflex test - how quickly can you grab the poles after they start falling?

This had something to do with tension - mostly, I just think it looks cool.

The highlight of this area was way up over our heads - the rope course.

My kids just wanted to play and were not patient enough to wait in the long line for a turn on the ropes.   For a nine year old, our friend has more patience than most adults I know.

Except for out train having a technical difficulty on the way home, our day was lovely. The sun was shining, we were with friends and we saw a little of Cologne.

I am hoping we can go back again soon for another visit. The cathedral is supposed to be incredibly beautiful and there are a million other things so see.