History and science remain nebulous to some, the learning method simply too static or cerebral. Humans are visual creatures, our brains are designed to process images more efficiently than words (perceiving threats not processing thoughts was/is key to our survival). Yet a large constituent of traditional education persists with text-based or verbal learning. Modern museums are breaking this mold—offering experience-based models of education which engage us visually and dynamically through exploration. This makes learning fun, efficient, memorable. The ARK Encounter sets the precedent with it’s dynamic displays and innovative architecture—a world first mammoth-sized museum, built full-scale as an interactive educational Noah’s ARK experience.
Drawing from latest science the ARK was designed to stimulate the visual cortex and excite the imagination by creating an immersive ‘learnscape’ which leverages natural brain mechanics to imprint knowledge.
How a walk-through experience differs and disrupts old school study is quite fascinating and very futuristic, let the expert explain…
Patrick Marsh, is the creative genius behind the incredible animatronics and exhibits of the Answers in Genesis’ Creation Museum and Ark Encounter. Sharing with me the secrets of the ARK, Marsh explores the concept, technology, and science behind this handcrafted mega-classroom.
How does the Ark Encounter innovate learning for new generations?
The Ark Encounter is unique in all the world and our desire is to bring some of the most significant Biblical accounts to life. Many things have passed beyond history and become legend, and we want to bring them back to life to allow people experience the full 3D reality as true history: The Ark of Noah, The Tower of Babel and the account of Moses bringing the Jews out of exile in Egypt…made in a way that history that can be physically experienced.
What elements of this interactive design have value for more traditional displays?
The Ark itself is a living interactive display of Biblical proportions. The Bible gives us a small outline of its dimensions and its requirements. But it was hard to imagine the overwhelming size, complexity and beauty of the structure, and just the reality of it until we built it, and now the world can experience it in full sensory 3 dimensions. 3 D models bring descriptions to life.
What aspects of the Ark are your favorite to explore?
The elegance of the light trough in the center of the ship is the most beautiful part to me. The Engelmann Spruce poles go from the keel at the bottom of the ship and soar upward some 65 feet cutting a trough through the floors up to the windows above the top deck, creating an elegant gallery of light. It is like a forest of trees and the only place where light streams into the ship.
Which conceptual features were the most challenging to construct?
All the structural pieces to handle the forces and connections of the beams (the joinery). The ship is the same proportion of a modern tanker ship, and the forces of gale winds and waves would be enormous.
What technology was used in building the Ark?
We believe that Noah could have had both the intelligence and skill to build the Ark as we have built it using dimensional lumber and similar joinery. Ancient man was capable of creating complex machinery and working with iron and bronze.
The Ark was designed and modeled in CAD. The Ark was built using traditional wood timber frame construction using dimensional lumber with mortise and tendon connections both of wood and steel. All the mortise and tendon connections were cut on the largest computer operated machine in America (from Germany), then shipped to the site and erected by a mainly Amish crew, very much like a barn raising.
How does the ARK develop public interest and support for art and science?
Up to this time, no one has tried to build an Ark to biblical proportions based upon research into the most ancient seagoing vessels and technology to propose how the Ark could have been built and provide for all the animals and their needs. When building a model of ancient artifacts, research and science play a very important part in developing the most comprehensive working model. And in reality, science and art when employed provide a beautiful and functional working model as in the design of the shape, structure and proportion of the Ark that we have built.
About the Artist
Patrick Marsh is a world-renowned art director whose designs include the popular Jaws and King Kong attractions at Universal Studios in Florida. For more than 40 years, Marsh’s skills and expertise redefined quality and craftsmanship in projects such as the coordination of 50 designers for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and the dramatic unveiling of the refurbished Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor in 1986.
About the ARK
Ark Encounter features a full-size Noah’s Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. Spanning 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, this modern engineering marvel amazes visitors young and old. Ark Encounter is situated in the beautiful Williamstown, Kentucky, halfway between Cincinnati and Lexington on I-75. From the moment you turn the corner and the towering Ark comes into view, to the friendly animals in the zoo, to the jaw-dropping exhibits inside the Ark, you’ll experience the pages of the Bible like never before.
Bigger than Imagination, experience an encounter with history! ARKencounter.com
