Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

 

Title: Artic Polar Bear Diorama

Year: 1980

Material: wood, plaster, fur 

Creator: Women of the Academy

Collection:  The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

This object is a diorama in North American Hall of a polar bear from the arctic tundra. Also featured in this diorama is a fur seal, which is the primary source of food for the polar bear. The polar bear is shown standing above the seal that it has successfully caught and killed for a meal.

This diorama may be important to people interested in animal science. This diorama is also important to people who study specimens. The diorama may also be important to people concerned with the conservation status of polar bears in the wild. On the other hand this object may not be important to people who aren’t interested in seeing animals that are not alive, as well as people who may not like the semi-violent nature of the diorama. For example, many children find the dead seal sad or scary.

This object is on display as part of the North American diorama hall. The polar bear is a popular zoo animal and one that most people associate with North America. It is not clear how the diorama was made or how the animals were collected, however the text panel says it was a gift of the ladies of the Academy. Most of the diorama animals were collected as part of a scientific expedition. The polar bear is displayed  surrounded by large sections of ice and snow. In the mural be hide the bear there are two other polar bears. Below the polar bear is a fur seal was a small pool of blood. The setting contributes to our understanding of the animals habitat. The seal contributes to our understanding of what the polar bear’s primary food source is.

The diorama is accompanied by an illuminated text panel. The text panel is written from the point of view of a scientist, however the text is written simply. It is very easy to comprehend and understand. The text details the habitat, food, and behavior of the polar bear. The panel also discusses the danger of pollution and how it effects the polar bear. The panel also has a map showing where the arctic tundra is located. There is also a quiz question on the panel that forces you to really examine the polar bear closely. An opposing point of view about this object might come from people associated with PETA or an environmentalist group. They may have stronger opinions about the animal being used in a diorama as well as what the current status of them in the wild is.  

Fields of study for this diorama might include: animal science, mammals, bears, seals, Antarctica, animal conservation, and oceanography.    

My favorite polar bears- from Balto.

To further engage visitors with this object it would be nice to have some sort of touch table/cart with samples of polar bear fur, teeth, and claws to reinforce the information in the text panel. This would also help visitors to feel less cut off by the glass that separates them from the animal. The touch table might also include a 3d model of blubber to show how bears stay warm. It might also be fun to show kids how polar bears swim. You could make a “fin” that resembles the polar bear’s webbed feet and then demonstrate how the bears swim, then the kids could do it as well. Another activity that might be fun for younger children is something I did in first grade. We made model magic animals and then used shoe boxes to create their habitat. I remember I really liked this, it might be fun to do with with the diorama animals, sort of like a create your own diorama activity.