Mythic Creatures at COSI (March 2019)

From the majestic unicorn to the sleek mermaid to the mighty kraken, certainly these are just tall tales or figments of our imagination…or are they? Find out at COSI’s newest exhibition, Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids: Mythic Creatures, running from Feb. 23–Sept. 2 in Columbus.

The exhibition traces the natural and cultural roots of some of the world’s most enduring mythological creatures from Asia, Europe, the Americas and beyond. Through large-scale models, real fossils and beautiful artwork, visitors of all ages can discover the intriguing stories behind these mythic creatures and their role throughout history in many cultures. 

Discover legends of mermaids, giants, phoenixes and dragons through each exhibit on creatures of water, land, air and power. Learn how persistent tales of undersea monsters and land creatures, such as unicorns and griffins, were mythologized by real-life discoveries of narwhal tusks or dinosaur bones. You can even rearrange your own models of mammoth bones to mimic giant human skeletons, or build a dragon and watch it come alive in a touch-screen virtual environment.

Mythic creatures are still very much a part of long-standing cultural traditions and personal identity. Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids: Mythic Creatures brings to life the surprising similarities and differences in the ways nature has inspired people around the world to envision and depict these strange and wonderful creatures. By the end, you’ll wonder what role these mythic creatures play in our lives today.

COSI is a dynamic, hands-on science center with a one-of-a-kind partnership with New York City’s American Museum of Natural History that makes exhibitions like Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids: Mythic Creatures possible. Be sure to save time to explore COSI’s other world-class exhibits, like Energy Explorers and its state-of-the-art planetarium. Find out more at cosi.org.