Budding scientists will find plenty to explore this April vacation week at the EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature in Worcester. With the state's only digital planetarium, an indoor tide-pool and acres of outdoor exhibits, visitors to the museum can explore every aspect of our natural world, from the tiniest of tide-pool creatures to sweeping inter-stellar constellations.

"Kids have very few opportunities to be in nature these days - they're on a soccer field with grass - but it's not the same thing, environmentally, emotionally, as a meadow with wildlife and animals,'' said Betsy Loring, exhibits manager at the EcoTarium.

With four acres of museum land, inhabited by dozens of native creatures, Loring said she thinks the EcoTarium inspires kids to pay more attention to Bay State ecology.

"I would say the best thing for kids in terms of caring about the environment is having an emotional connection, having fun,'' she said. "If families come and see our tide pool, it may get them excited about taking trips to beach, and not just to sit in the sun.''

While exploring museum grounds on a mini-train, visitors will spot a number of native animals along the way - from river otters, to foxes, opossums, turtles and birds of prey.

Also in the mix, serving as "an ambassador for climate change,'' is the museum's resident polar bear, Loring said.

Indoors, families can walk a life-size replica of Bay Sate dinosaur tracks, feed creatures in a simulated tide-pool, and relax beneath the state's only digital planetarium.

During April vacation week, the museum is offering special ocean-themed activities free with admission.

Throughout the week kids can dissect squid to learn about their special defense mechanisms; they'll add oil to water to learn about the harms of oil spills and then learn to clean them up by adding special detergents.

The week culminates in the museum's annual "Earth Day'' on Friday, April 25, which features day-long activities geared to teaching families about climate change and sustainable living.

"There's a lot of info on the web about what people can do (for the environment),'' said Loring, "but the first step is getting children and families engaged through hands-on activities.''

Earth Day activities will include a lesson on designing wind turbines - "To get kids talking about renewable energy," said Loring – face-painting, live music and animal-feeding.

The Ecotarium is open Tues. – Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. To 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students, seniors and children aged 3-18. Half-price on Earth Day.

• South Shore Science Center
• New England Aquarium
• Deer Island
• EcoTarium