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Geologists tell us that there’s a lot of limestone in Indiana. How do they know? Because there are so many caves! Caves are formed when water and air seep into stone over thousands of years, dissolving it to create chamber spaces—large enough for people to fit into! In the Dow AgroSciences ScienceWorks Cave, inspired by Marengo Cave, you can learn more about the science behind cave formation in an actual 3D cave model. As a cave explorer—or a spelunker—you’ll learn about the animals that dwell in caves along with the technology used to map and study caves.
When visiting the ScienceWorks Cave, ask and answer these questions before considering yourself a spelunker:
- What do I use to explore a cave if I can’t fit in the cave or if it’s too dangerous?
- How does my presence affect the health and growth of a cave?
- Other than bats, what kinds of animals live in a cave?
We’ll help you find those answers with opportunities to observe and do activities, including:
- Eco-mapper - This piece of technology, donated by YSI, Inc., is used to map underwater surfaces and collect water quality data. It uses sonar tracks to produce a 3D map!
- Cave Mapping - Can you spot all of the species that dwell in caves? Put on a costume and use flashlights and checklists to find the animals hidden in our cave environment.
- Cave Detective - Participate in our cave detective program, in which you’ll uncover the secrets of life hidden underground!
Grab your flashlight and gather your cave questions as you make your own observations when you visit the Cave in ScienceWorks!
The reinvention of ScienceWorks is made possible by the generous support of Dow AgroSciences through The Dow Chemical Company Foundation.
