Dish Dash

"Dish Dash" at the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum is a conceptual interactive exhibition designed to immerse children in the world of global cuisines and enhance their understanding of cultural diversity. This interactive exhibition lets kids discover how different cultures use the same ingredients to create a variety of unique dishes.

The adventure starts with children picking up a plate and selecting three food ingredient magnets. In the exhibition room, a large table with a world map projected on it awaits them. When they place their plates on the table, the region under the plate lights up and animates to show their chosen ingredients being cooked in this region. The ingredients then transform into a cuisine unique to that part of the world, projected onto the plate. This interactive experience brings each cuisine to life right on their plates, surrounded by animations of the region's landscape, architecture, animals, and music. It's an engaging and educational experience to showcase different cultures to children from the angle of food. As one region is explored, the exhibition invites kids to see how these ingredients are used in other parts of the world, enhancing the learning about culture diversity. The journey wraps with each child receiving a magnet of the dish they created, complete with a card that provides more information about the cuisine, continuing the education after they leave the exhibition. And for an added treat, they can taste the actual dish in the museum’s café, turning their learning into a delicious reality.

"Dish Dash" is an experience that goes beyond just looking and listening. It’s about touching, exploring, and even tasting. It’s an exciting way to learn about the world's cultures through food, offering kids a chance to see, feel, and taste the diversity of culinary traditions from around the globe. This exhibition is not just a learning experience; it's a fun, interactive adventure that broadens children's horizons and deepens their appreciation for different cultures.