Teaching children about the environment is vital. Children are naturally curious about nature, but in a world where interactive digital media have become an integral part of their lives, there is a need to create opportunities to help children learn about the environment. This is why Museo Pambata (MP) has redesigned and upgraded its Environment-themed galleries, through a grant from D. M. Consunji Inc. and Semirara Mining Corporation. The room features the Philippines' rainforests and rice fields at the Kalikasan area, coastal areas at the Karagatan section, and indigenous medicinal plants at the outdoor herbal garden.

In the new galleries, children will discover what makes the Philippines one of the world's wealthiest countries in terms of biodiversity, as each section showcases the abundance of various life forms inhabiting the country's' natural environment. “We hope that children will know that they are an essential part of biodiversity, and that the conservation of our natural resources is very important. We want them to understand how their actions affect their environment, and the entire planet. The same things that affect the animals, plants and insects have an impact on them too - from the quality of the air we breathe to the water that we drink.” says Nina Yuson, MP President and CEO.

The rainforest section features topics such as forest destruction, sounds of the forest, the food chain, and a special area on the Philippine eagle where children can stand in front of an eagle's wings and stretch out their arms to see how wide the haribon's wingspan is. The section also offers a closer look at Philippine insects, and an area where kids can climb up a wall like spiders (the Web Wall).

The rice field section gives children a closer look at how rice is grown and how we rely on the lowly farmer for our staple food-- rice. “In this section, we hope to make children aware about the importance of rice not only because it is our staple food but because it provides livelihood to our farmers,” Yuson adds.

Children can try planting rice seedlings on a pretend-rice field. Also featured in this section are the different varieties of rice and the “bahay kubo,” the traditional Filipino house surrounded by vegetables.

In the the marine section or Karagatan, children can put on costumes and headpieces and pretend to be sea creatures. In here, they can also discover that the mangroves, or the “bakhawan” like the rainforest, is home to many different kinds of animals.

The outdoor herbal garden features a touch, feel, and smell area that will acquaint children with plants that provide relief for simple illnesses.

The galleries opened to the public December 3, 2011.

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