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Ice Age 2: The Meltdown Presents “Mammoth” Opportunity for Historical Museum
The
new movie Ice Age 2: The Meltdown, set for theatrical release March 31,
got us to thinking: How can we take a big time animated movie and turn it into
a learning opportunity about mammoths in Iowa history, centered around our own
Mammoth: Witness
to Change exhibit, of course.
On Saturday, April 1 at 10 a.m., a special showing of Ice Age 2: The Meltdown will be screened at Merle Hay Cinema, at Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines. Children and families may purchase advance tickets at the State Historical Museum Store for $5. Tickets will also be available the day of the show at the theatre. A portion of the ticket proceeds benefit the State Historical Museum.
The movie centers around the ongoing adventures of Manny (the mammoth), Sid
(a sloth) and Diego (a saber-toothed tiger) as 
the
Ice Age comes to an end. While the animals delight in their new world of water
parks, geysers and tar pits, they soon discover that miles of melted ice will
flood their valley. The troop decides they must warn everyone and somehow figure
out a way to escape the coming deluge.
The museum will continue programming in conjunction with the movie with Ice Age Saturdays on April 8 and 15. These events will provide educational and fun activities for the entire family to learn more about this time period and the mammoth, using the Mammoth: Witness to Change exhibit as the focal point. Guests can feel, touch and hear life as it was 14,000 years ago during the time of the mammoth as they explore the exhibit and take part in creating petroglyphs, doing the Mammoth Dance or listening to a storyteller. Programs and activities will take place throughout the day. Call (515) 281-4132 for more information.
