Engineering and Nature Converge in Kiewit Luminarium Exhibit
HDR Foundation Grant Brings Creatividad silvestre | Wild Creativity to Omaha Museum
How does a kangaroo gain energy as it bounces? How does a prairie dog cool its home? Why do birds have different beaks?
Visitors to the Kiewit Luminarium will explore those questions and more through the Creatividad silvestre | Wild Creativity traveling exhibition, brought to the Omaha museum through a $100,000 HDR Foundation grant.
“HDR is excited about supporting the Kiewit Luminarium with this entertaining and educational exhibit,” said John Henderson, HDR’s chief executive officer. “Showing how engineering and nature work together in a fun way can create new possibilities for young and old alike. Interactive learning is a big part of our company culture, and we are happy to see this inspiring display come to Omaha.”
The bilingual exhibits engage museum visitors in interactive, hands-on design challenges that draw on the concepts of biomimicry — an engineering approach that learns from nature’s strategies to solve human challenges.
Creatividad silvestre | Wild Creativity is Spanish-language forward, with full Spanish translations and visual interpretation services available to ensure accessibility for a wide range of audiences. It was developed and produced by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s (OMSI) exhibits team in partnership with Adelante Mujeres, The Biomimicry Institute and The Fleet Science Center.
"We're excited to see Luminarium visitors of all ages interact with this one-of-a-kind exhibit and the wonder of biomimicry," said Stefanie Mosteller, HDR Foundation executive director. "Programs like Creatividad silvestre | Wild Creativity can provide the spark to inspire future engineers and designers to solve our communities’ most complex challenges through innovation.”
The displays will be open to the public during regular museum hours through Sept. 21, with additional programming planned throughout the summer.
About Kiewit Luminarium
Kiewit Luminarium is a place for people of all ages, identities, and backgrounds to explore astonishing phenomena at the intersection of science, art, and human perception. Opened on Omaha’s reimagined RiverFront in April 2023, the 82,000-square-foot facility is designed to rekindle curiosity and change the way visitors see the world. With more than 125 interactive exhibits and a kaleidoscope of engaging programs, the Luminarium is a place where everyone has the opportunity to dream, play, wonder, experiment, and consider something new.
About the HDR Foundation
The HDR Foundation provides grants to qualified organizations that align with HDR’s areas of expertise: education, healthy communities and environmental stewardship. As an employee-funded and employee-driven foundation, preference is given to organizations located in communities in which HDR employees live and work, and those with strong employee involvement. Since its inception, the HDR Foundation has provided more than $11 million in grants to nearly 400 organizations.
About HDR
HDR is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm. Founded over a century ago to bring electricity to a changing world, we are now a global company specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services. Our success in built and natural environments continues as we collaborate to solve our clients’ and communities’ most complex challenges.
