The new Nature Exchange gallery opens at the Telus World of Science in Edmonton today. The gallery is a mini-laboratory that encourages kids to bring in natural artifacts, research them and trade that research for bugs, shells, gemstones and other curiosities.

Media and Edmonton-area students previewed the gallery Thursday.

This gallery is the last piece of the science centre’s ongoing renovation and replaces the old Discoveryland play area, said science centre president Alan Nursall. (The new CuriousCITY play area is down the hall and opened back in March.)

“It’s a place that rewards curiosity and knowledge," he said, and a powerful learning tool that the science centre has wanted to build for years. Learn more.