Characters brought to life at museum
19 September 2016
Te Awamutu museum is virtually coming to life thanks to new technology on offer just in time for the school holidays.
Children visiting the museum from September 24 will be the first to use the app PingX. The smart device app aims to make the museum even more fun to visit through two virtual characters, Tui and Tama.
Museums and heritage director Anne Blyth said Tui and Tama's job is to help excite, engage and educate children.
As a museum, we know we need to keep up with technology to help us share our exhibits and stories to audiences that want information delivered quickly. This new app means we can tap into a learning experience kids may not see as education, just fun.
Tui, offers a happy, chatty presence, and Tama, is a wise and calming character. Both were created by museum staff last year to help attract more younger people to the museum, outside of the growing number of school groups.
Children have been able to relate to the characters and their different personas through animations and now the app. Some of our regulars even have their favourite and notice them throughout the exhibitions.
The app is New Zealand made for museums with the potential to go further at Waipa's many heritage sites. Blyth said.
PingX is available for free download on the App Store or Google Play. The museum does have two smart devices available for free use but Blyth said use may be limited during peak visitor times.
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday 10am-4pm
Saturday 10am-2pm
Sunday Closed
For more updates facebook.com/TeAwamutuMuseum
For more information, contact: Amber Sutherland 027 404 0836