After 5: Cultural Comparisons: Discovery Center's WorldWise Gallery bridges global gap

A. Family.

B. Race.

C. Geography.

The correct answer is C – because culture is created by geography, according to the WorldWise Gallery that opens Sept. 7 at Discovery Center of Springfield, 438 St. Louis St.

WorldWise is a new permanent gallery of seven kiosks illustrating the cultures of China, Japan, Lake Chad (Africa), Mexico, Netherlands and Peru. A current-events kiosk features Israel, Jordan and Syria.

These interactive areas use maps, information, activities and technology to bring understanding of life in different cultures. For instance, did you know that Japan has the world’s 10th-largest population in a land area smaller than California? That Netherlands produces the world’s tallest people? Or that French is the language spoken in the Lake Chad area of Africa?

“These countries play off of each other,” says Discovery Center Marketing Director Charlotte McCoy, pointing to the comparisons in locations, climate and dress.

Each cultural kiosk displays 15 items, including flags, architecture samples, musical instruments and books, arranged by Geocultural Educator Sunny Cleeton. The countries were selected based partly on political connections – in the cases of Mexico and Japan, which have sister cities to Springfield – and city-delegate trips to Tlaquepaque, Mexico, and Isesaki, Japan, have produced some of the items on display. Also, Springfield residents are going to Peru in coming months and will return with Peruvian artifacts.

The gallery was built with $200,000 from grants and donations.

WorldWise Gallery is made possible by Tom and Kimberley Prater and family, and the exhibits are made possible by Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Joyce and Wally Munden, Ray F. Aton Memorial Fund, Nancy Aton, Ruth Kelley and Institute of Museum & Library Sciences.

Another $100,000 is sought to continually develop and update the kiosks. And gallery designer Cleeton vows: “It will not remain static.”

A Glimpse of Culture

Peru

Capital: Lima

2006 Population: 28 million

Religion: Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist, Christian

Interesting Fact: Known as the land of the Incas

Editor’s Pick (of kiosk items): The children’s book, “The Pied Piper of Peru,” by Ann Tompert

Japan

Capital: Tokyo

2006 Population: 127 million

Religion: Shinto, Buddhist

Interesting Fact: 1,500 earthquakes a year

Editor’s Pick (of kiosk items): Play sushi, which Springfield Sister Cities Association delegation brought home in the spring

China

Capital: Beijing

2006 Population: 1.3 billion

Religion: Daoist, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, atheist

Interesting Fact: Though it’s officially still a communist nation, China actually operates with many principles of socialism

Editor’s Pick (of kiosk items): Baby face masks worn during parades

Netherlands

Capital: Amsterdam

2006 Population: 16 million

Religion: None, Catholic, Dutch reformed, Calvinist, Muslim

Interesting Fact: The only country where more than half of the population does not claim a religion

Editor’s Pick (of kiosk items): Wooden clogs that farm workers still wear

Lake Chad Region

Countries: Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria

2006 Population: 171 million

Religion: Muslim, Christian

Interesting Fact: Water levels of Lake Chad are slowly dwindling, putting nearby human and animal populations at risk

Editor’s Pick (of kiosk items): Native wooden cane inscribed with snake, lion and elephant images

Mexico

Capital: Mexico City

2006 Population: 107 million

Religion: Catholic, Protestant

Interesting Fact: N/A

Editor’s Pick (of kiosk items): Foam pyramid pieces

United States

Capital: Washington, D.C.

2006 Population: 298 million

Religion: Protestant, Catholic, Mormon, Jewish, Muslim

Interesting Fact: More types of natural hazards than any other country

Editor’s Pick (of kiosk items): N/A

Gallery Information

What: WorldWise Gallery featuring seven geographic cultures

Where: Fourth floor of Discovery Center, 438 E. St. Louis St.

When: Opening ceremony 5–8 p.m. Sept. 7

Cost: $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for children and free to members

Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday; and 1–5 p.m. Sunday