You’re in the Money at the Health Adventure’s Winter Exhibit

by Allison Dyer

Money isn’t just about dollars and cents.

The ancient Aztecs used chocolate for money, and Yap Islanders used 500-lb. stones. In Moneyville, opening February 6 at The Health Adventure, children and adults can explore the history, science, math and economics behind money.

Moneyville uses the fascinating subject of money to build math skills and promote economic literacy in a fun, immersive setting. The colorful city includes a bank, store, anti-counterfeiting lab, stock market, and a shipping dock. Hands-on activities range from creating your own “money” to running a lemonade stand to seeing what a million dollars looks like. Throughout the exhibit, guests will discover how money is made, spent, earned, and saved, and how it connects people around the world.

“In today’s shaky economy, building a strong foundation of math
skills has never been more important,” said Paige Johnson, President
& CEO. “The Moneyville exhibit uses computer games, video screens,
and vivid graphics to engage children in hands-on activities that make
math fun. They see that the system of economics is really about making
choices and learning from the consequences of those choices, and they
leave the exhibit with valuable problem-solving skills they can use
every day.”

The exhibit features over 15 interactive components in five thematic areas:

The Money Factory
Find out how money is made, explore the history of money, put your
face on a million dollar bill, explore security measures used in U.S.
currency, and use high-tech equipment to find fake bills in an
anti-counterfeiting lab.

The Bank
Discover how compound interest can really add up, and see what a
million dollars looks like. At the Kids Bank, children learn math
basics and role-play with oversized coins in a kid-sized teller window.

To Market, To Market
Learn about supply and demand as you run a “lemonade stand” and see
how long you can stay in business. Take the floor of a simulated stock
market and compete with other day traders as you watch the flashing
ticker board. Younger visitors open shop at the Kids Market, complete
with play money, fruit and vegetables, and produce scales.

Dollars and Sense
Try your hand at balancing your budget between needs and wants.
Learn about the real cost of credit and discover how your budget savvy
can help you in the real world.

Global Trade
Explore the interdependence of international trade and markets, the
role of trade in world cultures, and how wealth is distributed around
the world. Guess the mystery imports inside shipping crates and view a
display of families and their possessions from around the world
Moneyville will be on display through May 3, 2009. The exhibit is
presented at The Health Adventure by Asheville Savings Bank, Asheville
Regional Airport, Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company – Fletcher, Edward Jones
and PGAV Destination Consulting. For more information, visit
www.thehealthadventure.org.

MONEYOPOLIS is a registered trademark of Ernst & Young. The MONEYVILLE trademark is used under license.
The Health Adventure, founded in 1968, is a fun-filled educational adventure that sparks curiosity about health and science.